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