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