| Christmas decorating is a must, to some degree | | | | colors. Red or blue, mixed with gold or silver as |
| at least, for most of us who celebrate the holiday | | | | accents, all gold or all silver are popular choices. |
| season. For some there is no such thing as too | | | | Pink is a lovely color to choose if you want a soft |
| much. The more lights and glitter the better. | | | | allover look in your holiday decor and looks great |
| Others prefer a more limited display of Christmas | | | | with silver. Burgundy works well for a more |
| holiday decor, but rich colors and a bit of shimmer | | | | dramatic look and is best paired with gold accents. |
| usually still prevail. | | | | If you are looking for that pulled-together, uniform |
| In many neighborhoods the displays, lights, and | | | | look, make sure that you stick to the color |
| sounds grow larger and more complex every | | | | palette that you have chosen, rather than starting |
| year. If that is what you enjoy, go for it. But | | | | to mix in other elements. For example, if you |
| Christmas is a time of joy and good will and not a | | | | have chosen soft blue and silver, maybe the |
| competition for the grandest display, so there are | | | | bright red ribbons on the fireplace could use a |
| lots of ways to decorate your home beautifully | | | | change to the a color that blends with the new |
| without the expense and time involved in large | | | | theme. |
| displays. | | | | Some ideas for traditional Christmas decorating |
| The most important thing is that you choose | | | | themes and decorations can include cherubs, |
| Christmas decorations that have meaning to you | | | | angels, Santa Clauses, snowmen, birds, candles, |
| and that suit your family's lifestyle. If more formal | | | | wreathes, grape clusters, snow globes, and |
| or traditional holiday decorations are not your | | | | ribbons. Childrens favorites include cartoon |
| style, go with what you love. Christmas is a time | | | | characters, gingerbread men, gingerbread houses |
| of celebration with family and friends, so if snow | | | | and stockings hung on the fireplace mantle waiting |
| globes, a riot of color and a mass of glitter are | | | | to be stuffed with goodies. |
| your cup of tea, go for it. | | | | Here is an example of using a theme to decorate |
| Of course Christmas is fundamentally a | | | | you home for the holidays. Make or buy a |
| celebration of faith, so if the nativity scene is | | | | gingerbread house, complete with candy roof and |
| central to your Christmas, then by all means be | | | | windows. Add gingerbread men and women to |
| sure to include it. If you decorate around your | | | | the Christmas tree decorations (either real or |
| preferences and convictions, you might find that | | | | made to look real), then sprinkle a few |
| the process is a joy rather than a chore. | | | | gingerbread people throughout the house to tie it |
| Christmas decorating usually involves adding color | | | | all together. If the gingerbread people are |
| to your home. Personally, I am a fan of colorful | | | | "dressed" in green and red, pick up those colors |
| Christmas decorations and love the multicolored | | | | for the rest of your decorations, throw in a bit of |
| lights and the beauty of the greenery mixed with | | | | gold for shimmer, and your house will look |
| bright shades of red and gold. I love the fact that | | | | beautifully pulled together for the holiday season. |
| 200 houses can be decorated for Christmas, and | | | | There are so many gorgeous Christmas |
| no two will look the same. | | | | decorating ideas and items around that choosing |
| Here are some holiday decorating ideas and tips | | | | can seem confusing and you can end up with a |
| to get you started: | | | | mixed bag of elements that you don't think work |
| First of all, think about what you most love about | | | | together. Selecting your theme and color scheme |
| Christmas holiday decor. Do you love the | | | | first, then shopping takes much of the guess |
| monotone themed look, where all of the | | | | work out of it. |
| decorations in the home follow a color scheme, or | | | | The greatest thing about decorating your home |
| do you prefer the riotous mix of wonderful colors | | | | for Christmas is that nothing is set in stone. You |
| that comes from decorating using a variety of | | | | can take what you love from previous years and |
| Christmas colors? | | | | build on it to create a beautiful new holiday |
| If you prefer the more toned down look, choose | | | | decorating look for this year. The most important |
| your color scheme first, then shop for just those | | | | thing is sharing it with those you love. |