It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

The roads are busier, the malls are crowded, people are starting to put up their outdoor Christmas lights....ahhh, the holidays are here. I love the holidays personally. Every year I get really excited to decorate my house just the way I like, to throw our annual Christmas party with our closest friends and family, to bake unreal amounts of high calorie goodies and start new traditions with my husband and daughter (this year being my daughter's first Christmas makes it even better!) All that, with a little Sinatra in the background- life can't get better. Well, maybe with some Baileys.

So keeping with the holiday spirit, here are some of my tips to get you through decorating- without blowing your budget

1. Take Inventory

Look at what you already have in storage. Every year it seems that with new trends and really well done retail displays we can get caught up in buying new items that we feel we MUST have, when in reality, we don't. I think vintage ornaments are not only beautiful but chances are they tell a story. Maybe one you could share over while entertaining...

2. Pick a scheme and stick with it.

It only takes a few minutes to take a step back and plan out what you would like to see this year; both indoor and out. Whatever you dream, stick to just a few colors and make sure they all fit the same theme. For example, if you are going for a traditional, country Christmas...keep accessories and decor within that theme. Don't place every item you have in storage out just because you have it. 

3. Think outside the traditional box

Sure, Christmas is primarily traditional, but that doesn't mean you can't be creative. When making your festive wreath for example, step outside your comfort level and try something unexpected. Pretty much anything in a smaller scale can be wrapped or strung along a foam wreath. Try flowers, oranges, herbs...anything that might give your guests the 'wow, that's unusual' factor as they walk into your home.

4. Christmas isn't all red and green

A lot of  people try gold, silver or blue, but there is a full spectrum of colors to try. This years' popular colors would be purple which is making its way into Christmas, naturally. Same goes for bright green or pink. I might try orange this year...why not?

5. Relax, it's the holiday's after all.

Nobody like a host or hostess running around, trying to be Joan Cleaver. Relax. Take time to plan out what you would like to accomplish this season, and be reasonable about it. Things pop up in life, people stop by. Try to do as much as you can in advance (this includes baking, which can be frozen) and make sure that you enjoy yourself this year. Your family and friends will not remember how your house looks, just the memories of a great holiday. 

That's what it's all about right?

Happy Shopping!