| You're tired. You've worked hard all week. Suddenly, | | | | by holiday. |
| the kids shout gleefully... "let's decorate!" ... in anticipation | | | | |
| of the coming holiday. The "let's not" is miraculously not | | | | - Make or buy some snacks or treats to enjoy |
| permitted to escape your lips. Instead you take a deep | | | | together at the completion of your decorating time. |
| breath while you wonder about how this decorating | | | | |
| could become an easier and more fun-filled activity. | | | | Here are some favorite quick and easy decorating |
| | | | areas and tips: |
| Well, it can be! | | | | |
| | | | 1. The front door- Have a welcome sign that is theme |
| - First, insist on family members pitching in to help and | | | | oriented and you can easily change by season or by |
| treat this like a family project. This should not just rest | | | | holiday. You can either hang up a completely new |
| on your shoulders to accomplish and it will be much | | | | themed sign, or there are some that come with |
| more fun if you all are making changes and creating | | | | interchangeable pieces you swap in and out |
| memories together. | | | | representing different holidays or themes. |
| | | | |
| - Next, pick a day and time you'll all devote no more | | | | 2. The dining room table or a table that is centrally |
| than one to two hours for a quick holiday makeover at | | | | located but not used that often- Change the table |
| your home (for a major decorating holiday schedule | | | | runner or the tablecloth to a holiday themed one. Then |
| two or three longer blocks of time). It helps if you can | | | | showcase your holiday decorations by arranging a |
| set the decorating date about one to two weeks from | | | | combination of your kid's holiday creations and your |
| now, if time still allows for that. This gives you time to | | | | own figurines or other holiday decor on the table. |
| gather items together for the project. | | | | |
| | | | 3. The mantel or entertainment center- Add a string of |
| - Ask the kids to create one or two new arts and | | | | lights and if you wish, you can also vary the string of |
| crafts decorations that are suitable to the holiday to | | | | lights by color best suited for the coming holiday |
| have ready for the decorating day. Or, ask them to | | | | theme. Wall hangings can be changed around this area |
| select ones from among any they may already have | | | | temporarily as well. Holiday accessories, flags, figurines, |
| on hand, for instance, from school projects. | | | | etc. are easy to rotate in and to view on or around this |
| | | | area of your home. |
| - Decide on 3 to 4 areas you will focus on decorating | | | | |
| this year. Here are some choices: the front door, the | | | | 4. Special areas by kid's choice- Smaller children can |
| front yard, the entry hallway, the kitchen table, the | | | | help by adding little decorations to windows and glass |
| dining room table, the living room, the patio, the | | | | doors. They enjoy taping up their creations or they can |
| bathroom, the bedroom. There are other areas you | | | | easily put up static cling decorations. Other areas small |
| could consider as well. But if you want quick and dirty, | | | | children enjoy decorating include outdoors, the dog |
| then focus in on only 3 to 4 of the areas for | | | | house and their own rooms. Allow them to handle this |
| decorating this year. Anyway, you can select other | | | | aspect of decorating while you take pleasure in their |
| areas next year for a change. | | | | big smiles and hugs! |
| | | | |
| - Keep holiday decorations in separate bags, boxes or | | | | Finally, make your decorating time even more |
| baskets in the same closet or in the attic so they'll be | | | | enjoyable by having holiday background music or other |
| easy for everyone to retrieve when they are needed | | | | favorite tunes playing in the background. Then, when |
| next. | | | | you're done decorating, finish up with a big family hug |
| | | | and munching on tasty snack treats together! |
| - Buy items you really love when you see them | | | | |
| advertised or they may not be available when you | | | | Author Resource Box: |
| later. It's common for seasonal merchandise to change | | | | |
| from year to year and also they are not stocked | | | | Liz Hekimian-Williams is founder of Giftsprings.com, a |
| year-round typically. So, your item may no longer be | | | | gifts and home decor online shop that features |
| available if you wait too long to decide you want it. | | | | personalized gifts, custom engraved stones, holiday |
| Then stash your figurines, statues, wall hangings, and | | | | decor and special occasion gifts. |
| other holiday decorations in your bags or boxes, sorted | | | | |