Seven Great Holiday Decorating Tips--Without Breaking the Bank

If you're looking for great ways to decorate your home this glorious holiday season--without breaking the bank and losing your sanity in the process--here are seven terrific ideas to get you started.

1. You don't have to concentrate on one sense or the other at holiday time. You've got five senses--so make sure to fill them all with delight at holiday time. Use cheerful warm-colored ribbons to highlight chandeliers, play your favorite seasonal music, fill the air with the smell of cinnamon, cloves, and essential oils, share your favorite recipe, and add sumptuous silky fabrics to table cloths, tree skirts, and pillows.

2. You don't have to use all your decorations every year, especially if you own quite a few. Alternating decorations makes it easier on you, and when you don't see the same decorations year after year, they tend to have more meaning.

3. You don't need to add anything to your Christmas tree's water. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, plain tap water is the best source of moisture for your tree. In fact, the NCTA says that some commercial additives and home concoctions can actually be detrimental to a tree's moisture retention and increase needle loss. So keep your Christmas tree stand filled with plain water and use the savings to buy a few extra stocking stuffers.

4. You don't have to buy the cheapest Christmas tree on the lot. In fact, you can actually save money by buying a fuller tree! Since there are fewer holes to fill in a fuller tree, it will use fewer decorations. You can also save money by buying silk flower boughs, cutting the flowers apart, and using them on your tree, in garlands, and as enhancements to your gift wrapping.

5. You don't have to decorate using generic decorations. Your holidays will be more meaningful if you decorate using your family's heritage as a guideline. Combining ancestral cultures and creating handmade ornaments will also help your children develop stronger ties with your family's unique cultural heritage.

6. You don't need to climb ladders and hang millions of lights all over your house to make a happy holiday statement. You can create an enticing "Welcome Home" atmosphere by simply placing a special emphasis on your front door, surrounding it with colorful lights and garlands of greenery.

7. And finally, there's no need to completely redecorate for your New Year's Eve celebration. When Christmas Day has past, you can recycle your holiday wreaths and garlands for use in your New Year's festivities simply by spray painting them silver or gold.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Jeanette Fisher, Design Psychology Professor, is the author of "Joy to the Home" eNewsletter, interior design, and real estate books. For more information on Design Psychology, visit http://www.designpsych.com/

---

How To Stay Slim During The Holiday Season

The majority of people find themselves carrying additional fat once... Read More

St. Patricks Day Quotations

"It's not that the Irish are cynical. It's rather that... Read More

Mothers Day is coming-Dont Blow It!

Mother's Day is May 8th. And, you do realize all... Read More

12 Things That Make Life Worthwhile!

Happy New Year! Around the world, this is a time... Read More

Preparing For the Holidays: Ho Ho Ho... or Bah Humbug!

Some of my clients dread the holiday season because it... Read More

The Evolution of Christmas Ornaments

Things have come a long way since a Christmas ornament... Read More

The Origins of Mothers Day

Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating... Read More

Traditional and Modern Anniversary Gifts

Most people know that the 50th wedding anniversary is the... Read More

Fathers Day and Flowers

Father's Day is about to be celebrated in Australia. The... Read More

Glorious Holiday Decorating (Without Breaking the Bank or Losing Your Sanity)

Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally... Read More

Celebrate Your Freedom: 6 Important Freedoms to Celebrate Everyday

At the end of the movie "Braveheart," William Wallace is... Read More

Unique Gift Ideas for the 21st Century

As a personal growth specialist, I like to think I'm... Read More

Ideas For Toddler Halloween Costumes

Depending on the age of your little ones, you may... Read More

Top Ten Tips To A Terrific Valentine?s Day - For Women in Relationships

So Valentine's Day is upon us yet again, and most... Read More

Anniversary Gift Ideas Year by Year, the First Nineteen Years

It's impossible to remember what gift is traditional for each... Read More

Getting Great Pictures of the Kids this Halloween

There she was in all her glory. Long white lab... Read More

Birthday Gift Guide

A birthday gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More

Making the Holidays More Meaningful

Have the holidays become too commercial for you? Are you... Read More

Keeping Christmas Spirit Alive: Christmas Just Isn?t The Same Without Santa Claus!

Holidays may come and go but some holidays, like Christmas,... Read More

Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining

The holiday season is upon us! It is a time... Read More

Aran... Where the Sweaters Come From

Aran Sweaters. The Aran sweater takes its name from the... Read More

Valentines Day - A Guide for Men

Did you know that after Christmas, Valentine's Day is the... Read More

Magical Plants of Christmas

Most of the plants we associate with the holiday season... Read More

Maybe This Christmas Will Be Different....

Have you always dreamed of a Norman Rockwell Christmas -... Read More

Home Made Gifts, The Best Way To Teach Your Kids The Value Of The Holiday

To a large extent the holidays have come to be... Read More

The Fathers Day Celebration

Fathers Day is another reason to celebrate another responsible adult... Read More

Its Party Time - Lets Decorate!

Holidays are here and so is the spirit of partying.... Read More

A Diamond Christmas 2004!

When Archduke Maximillian of Austria bestowed a diamond ring on... Read More

Spice Up Your Life with an Adventure Holiday!

Are you bored with the routine of city life? Do... Read More

Bust Holiday Stress!

The holidays will be here before you know it. Clear... Read More

Valentines Day Love Letter - The Best And Most Romantic Gift Is Also The Least Expensive!

You don't have to spend a fortune this Valentine's Day... Read More

Color Easter Eggs Naturally With Dyes From Your Kitchen

The most beautiful dyes for Easter eggs come from foodstuff... Read More

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees

Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday... Read More