Light Rain / 61° F
Easy, Economical Holiday Decorating
Published 12:00pm Monday, November 17, 2008Holiday time is centered upon families, friends and traditions. For life long friends Ruth Lindholm of Pickerel Lake and Debbie Crabtree of Swan Lake, a love of decorating their homes and a desire to express the joy of the holiday season are two of their shared traditions.
Though separated by age, they are joined together by their common interest in making their homes a pleasure to visit in all seasons. Ruth recalls, “Years ago, my husband and I lived in a home with only two rooms, but, oh, I had such fun decorating those two rooms!” Debbie remembers weekly Bible studies at Ruth’s home through all her high school years. She even met her husband at one of the Bible studies. “Ruth is like a mentor and mother to me,” Debbie says. Our long friendship is a true gift.”
Through a series of moves over the years, these two women have stayed close, both geographically and personally.
Ruth and Debbie delight in the challenge of making something out of nothing by using items already on hand or available at a reasonable cost. Their tips for decorating exhibit a sense of playfulness and offer some hints to make holiday transitions smoother, economical and, in the end, less stressful. Holiday decorating, for them, is all about making guests feel warm and welcome.
Ruth and Debbie offer several ideas to give you just the inspiration you need to add some holiday cheer to your décor without spending too much time or money.
Add to an arrangement you already have on display. Perhaps you have a spray of greens arranged on your mantel with fall fruits and a candlestick on each side. Instead of starting from scratch, add splashy red hydrangea blossoms to the spray of greens and small pine trees on each side to transform the arrangement for the holidays. Just by adding splashes of color and seasonal items, the entire character of an arrangement can be transformed.
Party favors make it possible to send a little part of you home with each guest.
Start with a small, plain pinecone. With a brush, paint a bit of craft glue on the edges of the cone, sprinkle with glitter and let dry. Hot glue a little greenery, some small berries and a ribbon for hanging at the top. Arrange one pinecone by each place setting so each guest can leave with a new ornament for their tree and a remembrance of their time with you.
Create a holiday centerpiece with items you already have on hand. Start with a favorite large bowl. Fill it with a mix of pinecones (some with glitter, some plain, all different sizes). Layer the cones with greenery pieces and a big wired ribbon. When making arrangements, use an abundance of items for a look that is
“overflowing with holiday cheer.” Try twigs or dried plants, such as hydrangea, in this type of arrangement. Use of ribbon always adds a sense of flair to the design.
A simple clay pot can become an elegant centerpiece. Start with a plain clay pot, paint with metallic paint, let dry. Insert a piece of floral foam, cover with sphagnum moss, then play with pieces of greenery, experimenting with different textures of needles and an assortment of heights. Recycle an old garland or wreath by cutting them into pieces of varying lengths. Some of the most unlikely artificial items make great partners in holiday arrangements, like a big red amaryllis, a green artichoke, pinecones and a glorious ribbon.
Use favorite family ornaments in wreaths, garlands, and arrangements. Start to look at your ornaments and used decorations in a new way. Stretch a garland across the table like a runner and tuck favorite family treasures along the length of it. The same idea can be used in wreaths and arrangements. Have fun and don’t be afraid to “play” until you get a look that you like. Toys, small stuffed animals, or dolls can also be used in this way.
Chargers and colorful plates can take on a new look. Use a charger or a colored plate as a base for a single candle or for an arrangement of candles. Line the charger or plate with a sparkly garland, artificial snow or small glass bulbs, then center a pillar candle or several candles in the midst of the decorations.
Give some pizzazz to your serving plates and platters! Adding a sprig of greenery or a small bunch of artificial berries to a cookie or dessert platter brings a little something extra to the table.
Fabric in any form can add a holiday touch to several places in your home. A simple colored silk cloth can become a runner or an accent draped over your curtains, piano or sofa. A small swag or ribbon tied to the back of each dining chair can add a sense of flair to the table setting.
Use these hints from Ruth and Debbie to experiment with using what you already have in a new and fun way. Make this holiday decorating season your “play” time!
