Home for the Holidays

The holidays are quickly approaching. The earlier you prepare your home for the holidays the more you are likely to enjoy the spirit of the season. There are so many things to do that it can be overwhelming. Where should you start? It is your home and you can do as much or as little as you wish to. The key is to be organized. Here are some ideas to get you started, wash windows, clean window coverings, wash bed linens, clean closets, clean refrigerator and stove, polish silver, clean carpet, have fireplace professionally cleaned. Write a list and try to stick to it. Be realistic, there is so much you can do!
Make sure you have enough items for your guests. If you plan on having guests stay with you for longer than a day you will need plenty of bed linens, hand and bath towels, dinnerware, etc. I recommend having some extra pillows and blankets as well. Do not forget to count how many chairs and tables you will need to accommodate all your guests!
Jazz up your Entrance, Dining Room and Living Room. These are the areas that your guests will see first. These rooms need to be warm, inviting and beautiful! Paint the walls; it’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do! It will enhance moldings, baseboards and bring life to furniture. Select some warm colors such as pumpkin, deep reds, burgundy. Dress your banisters and mantels with garlands; add pinecones, beads, pomegranates, ribbons of all colors. Place some accent pillows on sofa and a few on the floor. Pillows are so inviting. Select silk ones in deep red and gold. Put scented candles everywhere. It is the least expensive way to give a festive touch to a home. Buy different sizes and colors. Place in groups of 3 or 5. Fill the house with seasonal plants and flowers like Cyclamens, Poinsettias, Amaryllis and Holly to name a few. Put in your entrance, on coffee or end tables, on consoles and mix different colors. Get baskets in different shapes and sizes, fill them with natural, gold or silver pinecones or shiny ornaments and even with chocolates and candies. Set the table, invest in a beautiful centerpiece, it will enhance the beauty of your table. Buy your Christmas tree, if you celebrate Christmas. Select a tree for its nice shape and size. The size should be proportionate to the room. Whether it is a real one or an artificial one your tree will be the focal point. Sort out the ornaments you want to hang by color, shape and size. Remember that less is more. Trees that have too many ornaments on them will look overdone.
Now that you are ready, you can invite a few your friends for a preview of what is to come! This is the test. See how they react to your spotless and beautifully decorated home. Have a fire burning in the fireplace and some warm, spicy cider ready for them. Let the aroma fill the house. It will be the final touch.