Deck The Halls? Ugh!

Christmas time - to some it is the most wonderful time of the year! And to others? Well… stress comes to mind!  Entertaining, shopping, decorating, cooking, travel- shall I continue? 
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Let’s take the sting out of decoration! Don’t let your holiday control you! You control it! There are many simple, very designer chic and impacting techniques that will make the house festive and jolly, yet will not break the back, spirit and most of all, the bank!

Here are some wonderful ideas courtesy of Kendall Cronstrom and Annie Schlechter…

Posts of Christmas Past

For a mantel with extra flair, collect family holiday cards from previous years and clothespin them to a long, slim stick suspended between two vases. Put them in chronological order and, if you want, date the pins.

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Darling Clementines

Take several lengths of heavy-gauge wire, knot one end of each, and string through a jingle bell and a Clementine (yes, your hands may get a bit sticky). Twist all the wires into a cluster and secure with a large bow. Hang on a newel post or your front door.

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Bundles of Joy

Try hanging something unexpected on the tree, like a bunch of fragrant cinnamon sticks or a sparkling metal garland inspired by nature.

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Sweet Sensations

Fill pretty glassware with sugar and mini marshmallows, then stuff old-fashioned stick candies inside, for a holiday display that looks good enough to eat. 

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Just Log On

Here’s one roaring fire that isn’t a huge bother to get started. Simply slip this DVD into your laptop and place the virtual flames on an end table.

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Step It Up

Show off some of your most eye-catching ornaments (that might otherwise get lost in your tree). Thread them with different lengths of thin ribbon or string, then tie them to a long, wide grosgrain ribbon wound around a banister. 

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Feast for the Eyes

Gather a bunch of doilies in white and silver, then tape them together (or secure with a dab of glue) to form a one-of-a-kind table runner. For an inexpensive wintry centerpiece, fill glass vases and large compotes of different heights with pinecones. Spray-paint them gold and silver for extra sparkle, or leave them as nature intended.

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Skirting the Issue

If each member of your family has, oh, four or five scarves, put some of them to work as a tree skirt. Arrange in a pinwheel fashion around the base of the tree and secure with safety pins.

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It’s all about trying to keep it simple, easy and impacting!


 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at WHL Design Group!