Decorating Articles

Decorate your Holidays…with Nostalgia!

I don’t know about you, but I get all sentimental around the Holidays. I always find myself thinking back to old childhood memories and the joy and anticipation I felt as that visit from Santa approached. Growing up in the Midwest meant snowsuits, ice skating and toboggan rides. A trip downtown to look at the department store window decorations and driving through the neighborhood to look at the colorful lights gleaming everywhere made the season bright. It was a time of excitement as the house was filled with yummy smells and relatives and friends popped in unexpectedly for some Holiday cheer.

Maybe I’m just getting older, but it seems like we need to put some of that nostalgia back into the Holiday Decorating. In this fast-paced time of play stations, game cubes and x-boxes, I invite you to slow things down a bit and see if you can capture some of your nostalgic childhood spirit.

No matter how busy you are, or which Holiday you celebrate, here are some easy-to-do, good old fashioned SMART tips to help you Decorate for the Holidays with memories!

Start with smells & sounds:

• Decorate for the Holidays with fresh pine boughs and colorful poinsettias. Live in a warm climate? Seasonal scented candles work well also.
• Simmer cinnamon stix and cloves in a pot on the stove. The smell is divine and the steam adds humidity during a dry season.
• Nothing beats the aroma of fresh baked cookies. No time? Buy pre-made cookie rolls, slice and pop into the oven on a moments notice.
• Dig out your favorite Holiday music and play it on the stereo, piano or just hum along.

Make a family craft:

• String popcorn and cranberries for simple and decorative garlands.
• Create a wreath easily by adding your favorite items to a Styrofoam form;
  greenery, holly, wrapped candies, ornaments, pinecones & berries. Add accents of jingle bells, snowbirds or silk poinsettias. Trim with glitter, or spray on a little gold, silver or “snow” flocking.
• Decorate a gingerbread house. Do-it-yourself kits make this craft simple enough so even the little ones can join in the fun.
• Revisit your childhood by cutting snowflakes from white paper and hanging them in all of your windows.

Add a little sentiment:

• Bring out some photos of holidays past, frame for the season and place around the house.
• Create a display of vintage toys. Dolls, teddy bears, trains, rocking horses, antique toys, wooden blocks, drums, horns, etc. make wonderful seasonal decorations. Display on shelves, mantels, around the tree, on or near the television. Place groupings in corners, hallways, or anywhere you want a little nostalgia.
• Make a centerpiece from an assortment of old family ornaments arranged in clear glass vases of varying shapes and sizes. Place the vases together on a large mirror interspersed with votive candles for dramatic impact and plenty of sparkle.
• Everyone has some sentimental old holiday books. Gather all the family’s favorites and display them on coffee tables, shelves, in bathrooms, etc.

Remember the less fortunate:

• Gather unused blankets or old winter coasts and take to a homeless shelter.
• Assemble a food basket or two for families in need.
• Do you know someone who is alone for the Holiday? Invite them to dinner.
• Donate toys for tots or time to the elderly in convalescent homes.

Take time for some tasty treats:

• Include steamy soups as part of your quick-fix, yet healthful, holiday fare.
• Make a hearty stew in the crock pot and enjoy with crunchy, rustic bread.
• Have a cookie exchange with friends —less work and more cookies for your family to enjoy.
• Brew up a beverage of the season; cocoa, grog, spiced tea, cider, mulled wine, or your favorite hot toddy.

About the author:

Marcia Smart is a nationally recognized Interior Redesigner and author of the witty do-it-yourself book “Decorating by Instinct”. Marcia is an in-demand instructor of professional redesign training and is shaping the future of the industry as the Executive Director of I.R.I.S., Interior Redesign Industry Specialists To learn more about her program and find more FREE tips and articles like these, visit her site at www.smartredesign.com

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