HOLIDAY DECORATING DELIGHT
Written by: Joen Garnica

 Uncomplicate your holiday décor with easy to implement tips.

Jingle Bells are jingling, the air outside is crisp and the steam from my hot cocoa is warming my holiday spirit. Holding my warm cup of cocoa between my hands, I close my eyes and take in the sweet aroma, savoring every second. A smile comes over my face. I slowly open my eyes and the sound of a screeching record stops me in my tracks. Staring back at me are dusty boxes of tired holiday decorations.



You didn’t think that would derail my holiday decorating, did you? Of course you didn’t.



Many things can complicate the holidays, such as the drag race to see who gets what seems to be the only parking spot. Making your home festive doesn’t have to be one of the complicated things in life. I am going to uncomplicate your holiday decorating life with ideas on keeping it simple, while making a dazzling impact.



Create a Theme – Gone are the days that creating a theme meant using nutcrackers or Santa Claus. Get creative and keep it simple. It can be as easy as picking a color or two (or three). Unify décor and create flow with your colors of choice. Pepper your home with a color theme or with a bolder theme such as jewels and jewel tones.



Focal Pointer – Pick a couple of areas in your home that will give you more bang for your buck. Focus your efforts on areas such as entryways, dining rooms or living rooms. Create one focal point in each of these areas, while sprinkling holiday cheer in between.



Tea Light Twinkle – Drop a votive or a tea light in a clean glass food jar, tie a ribbon to the neck and you now have a simple, yet beautiful luminary. For a more layered look add peppermint candy, sand or cranberries under the candle. Group a few luminaries together for dramatic evening lighting.




Borrow from Nature – Not many things are easier than going outside and borrowing from nature. Infuse outdoor items such as magnolia leaves, twigs, nuts, berries or even sea shells and sand into your décor. Natural items are easy and good for the environment.



Mantle Madness (Or lack of) – Don’t have a mantle? Temperatures don’t often dip very low in Long Beach. So if you don’t have a fireplace, use a console or sofa table in lieu of a traditional mantle. Hang stockings and decorate the table top as you might a mantle over a fireplace.



Festive Floral – Poinsettias are abundant this time of year, but are not the only floral option for the holidays. Use other stunning classic flowers that coordinate with your holiday décor colors. Tie in the holiday theme with holiday greenery such as pine needles.




Window Wonderland – Toss out the can of snow and instead opt for ribbon, wreaths and ornaments. A stunning window can be as simple as hanging a wreath or ornaments on ribbon and placing in your window. Accomplish indoor and outdoor décor with one step.



Gift Wrap– Add a touch of the unexpected to your holiday gifts by making the wrapping part of the gift. Embellish gift-wrap with an ornament, candy, a beautiful brooch or wrap the gift with a stunning scarf. I have to admit that this tip doesn’t necessarily uncomplicate your holidays. I will however go out on a limb and say that one of these gifts will be love at the first sight for the person on the receiving end. Not to mention the enhanced experience of unwrapping.

This time of year is all about joy, laughter, sharing and holiday parties. A beautifully decorated home for the holidays is just that. The best, least complicated tip I can offer you is to fill your home with much joy, laughter, friends and family and make memories that will last a lifetime. Happy holidays!