Can you believe Thanksgiving is already done and over with? This year has really flown by. We are already in the holiday season and regardless of whether this is the 30th year in the same house, or your first holiday season in a new home, this means decking the halls and bowing the holly. Ok, maybe not to that extent, but the holiday season does mean that it is time to turn on the holiday charm and make memories that will last a lifetime.
While I am not a big fan of winter and the cold, but there is something special about the holiday season. Maybe it is all the parties, or it is the chance to spend time in front of the fire with my family, or maybe it is all the great food. Either way, it is a time to reflect on everything we have been blessed with over the last year and to raise a glass for what is to come in the new year.
- Break out the Candles
When I was a child, every home in neighborhood would put candles in their windows and this is something which I have continued to do in my own house. Granted those candles were the electric variety, but I also love to have several real candles lit during the season as well.
Maybe it is for caroling, or just relaxing in front of the fire. I just love the light flickering and the scent. Better yet nothing says holidays more than a candle light off in the distance. So, even if you are alone this holiday season, light a candle, get yourself a curl up with a good book and some tea. You will find it a great way to unwind.
- Get Colorful
The holidays are a great time to add some color to your home. Maybe it is a red ribbon outside your home or a bow of holly. Either way, get colorful. Let’s say you’ve just move into one of the many wonderful midtown Atlanta homes that are up for sale today. First, congratulations are in order as you enjoy the holidays in your new home. Second, you want your new house a home and the best way to do this is to combine some of the colors of the area into your holiday decorations.
This could include colors such as yellow, emerald, purple, and even orange. Be playful and creative, after all, the holidays is the time to be joyful. If you want to take it to the next level, then try to match your holiday decorations with some of the colors and designs which are in your home year-round. This way you can turn your home into a winter wonderland, even if the ground is not covered in snow. I do this in my own home by accentuating the existing colors in my living room with my holiday decorations and it really works out well.
- Enjoy Nature
The seasons are changing but this doesn’t not mean that your home cannot be full of life during the winter months. One trick to have several flowers which bloom during the holiday season, these include pansies and violets, pinks, and winter honeysuckle to name a few. And don’t forget the mistletoe, this flower just screams Christmas.
- Make it Sparkle
All that glitters is not gold, but a little bling never hurt anyone. Metallic accents such as silver, copper, and gold are a wonderful way to dress up any home during the holiday season. This might be as simple the ornaments on your Christmas tree, to the streamers and tablecloths you use for holiday parties. Either way, let your house come alive by adding some sparkling accents.
Another tip is crystal, maybe it is your chandelier or something you can hang from your ceiling like mini icicles. These will help to disperse the light in your room and create an otherworldly feel.
Finally, making it sparkle also applies to your home’s exterior. Now, I am not a big fan of colored lights or fantastic displays of Santa and his reindeer. However, there is nothing better than a tasteful display of lights in the bushes and trees outside your home. One of my neighbors actually sets up a rainforest of lights and it is truly a sight to behold.
So, happy holidays to everyone and I hope these ideas will help you turn on the charm this season.
