Holiday Decorating Tips & Ideas

TABLE SETTINGS:

• Keep storage in mind when purchasing holiday items; textiles are easiest to store for greatest impact, use "dollar-store" items to decorate each place setting and then give them away as party favors to your guests so you don't have to store them; add name tags or notes to make it more personal.


• Use simple or everyday dishes and just dress them up, pick solid colors, layer different color plates or place colorful napkins & ribbons for added “bling” and add texture by layering various items.


• Pick an inspiration piece: colors in your home décor, an ornament, place mat, or any holiday trinket (i.e. floral picks, linens, ceramic pieces, or even gift bags).


• Repeat simple items for impact, use 1-3-5s groupings of items, and stick to a simple color scheme of two to three colors. Two main colors and one for “pop”!


• Try to stay away from scented candles in the middle of the table, use table runners vertically instead of horizontally and keep tablescapes “low-profile” as to not block your view and conversation across the table.
  

BUFFET TABLES:

• Mimic the theme of your table setting & décor from the table to your buffet, use similar items just repeat them in open spaces on the table, remember your goal is to maximize space for serving, so less is more!


• Create levels to maximize space by using, empty wrapped boxes, cookie tins, or even pots upside down under the table cloth or cover with napkins, fabric or wrapping paper.
  Set up multiple stations to maximize flow and give the “cook” a chance to mingle too (i.e., set up a drink station, food station, dessert station and condiment stations wherever space permits to maximize flow and allow guests to help themselves, without waiting to “pass the potatoes”.


• Also, consider serving food from an outside patio, hall or entryway where a line can be formed easily and people can then seat themselves once they are served.
  

TREE DECORATING:

MATERIALS: For a standard 7.5 foot tree you will need the following:
-36-48 glass balls (same color-cluster for dramatic effect)
-36 decorative ornaments – 12 each of small, medium & large with varing
textures & colors (i.e. snowflakes, pinecones & candy canes)
-15 additional accent ornament (i.e. stuffed animals, toys or wooden ornament)
-10 oversized ornaments (preferably some type of floral or ornate pieces)
-20 yards or ribbon (for swag)
-2-4 strands of beads hung vertically or swagged in layers (or use tinsel garland for traditional tree)

FAVORITE PLACES:
For affordable holiday décor…

Burlington Coat Factory
Ross Dress for Less
Home Goods/TJ Maxx
Marshalls & Big Lots
Tuesday Morning
Dollar Tree & 99 Cents Only Stores
The Décor Store, Chandler
Poppy’s Home Décor, Mesa

FAVORITE PAGES:
For holiday decorating ideas…

Better Homes & Gardens: www.bhg.com
Home & Garden Television: www.hgtv.com
Meal Planning: www.Suite101.com
Party Planning & Checklists: www.evite.com
Decorating on a budget:
http://rubyglen.com/holiday/budgetdecorations.htm
All things Christmas:
http://www.allthingschristmas.com/decorations.html

SORTING YOUR MAIL

So many times as an Organizer I am asked what is the best way to sort your mail, well I am not going to say this is the "best" way but it is certainly the "easiest" way and it is how I have been doing my own mail for years...there are many other options but this is by far the quickest and easiest way I know to deal with your mail; here are the steps to follow:

1. CHECK YOU MAIL DAILY; or at the minimum every other day, make it a habit to get your mail at the same time each day, say after work or in the evening after your nightly walk (hint, hint); maybe have the kids get it for you after school and put it on the counter for you to check when you walk in the door.

2. SORT IT IMMEDIATELY; once you get your mail, stand over the trash can and sort out the junk mail right away, THROW AWAY all the ads and coupons that you know you will not use, it there are fliers and coupons you will use make a place for them in a folder or coupon organizer where you will know to find them when you need them. (hint: I have a folder that I keep in my car with coupons so I will always have them with me while I am out, since I don't always know when I might stop for a bite to eat or be near a store that I have to get something, then I glance through the folder and pick them out)

3. OPEN UP ALL YOUR MAIL AT ONCE; have a certain area where you regularly "process" your mail, if it is at a desk or standing at your kitchen counter, make it a habit by always doing it in the same place, put a letter opener in that space and open up all your mail at once, read personal letters of items of interest right away and then file them if it is something you wish to keep or just throw them away; if it is something you need to respond to put it in your "in box" or add it to your calendar so that you do it. However, if it is a bill but DO NOT take it out of the envelope (that step is next)

4. MARK YOUR BILLS; once you have opened the bill with your letter opener simply peak inside without removing the contents and write on the outside of the mailing envelope the DATE, and AMOUNT DUE on the bill then put them in a mail sorter, bill file or simple container where you can stand them up and see the date due; put your stamps and checkbook there as well, so when you are ready to pay the item you will have it all together.

5. PUT ASIDE ANY OTHER FLIERS or lesser important items you "wish" to read next to your favorite chair where you will sit regularly and make another habit of "reading" through your mail. I put mine next to my massaging chair where I sit every night and watch tv. I glace through the store fliers and read all the articles that interest me, then I throw them away; if for some reason you are unable to read the mail that night, you may keep it for just TWO days, if you haven't read it by then you must PITCH IT!!! So, the caution here is to make sure you read through it, do not let it pile up, just go through it every couple of days if you can't read it by then it is okay, it is not the end of the world, they are just fliers and sales if you haven't read them by then the sale is probably going to be over before you get to it anyway. Remember you have already processed your IMPORTANT stuff immediately, this is just the "wish" pile you would like to read if you have a chance, so if you don't get the chance, don't sweat it...it is not worth the sweat, just throw it away! There will be more to follow, don't worry!!!

I hope this helps you, if you would like to know more or have any questions or would like some suggestions regarding your mail, please feel free to view my VIDEO TIP OF THE WEEK on my website at http://www.totallytransformedhomes.com/ or email me at: totallytransformed@cox.net

Sincerely,

Sherry Drolet