The holidays are quick on our heals and with the price of food, gifts and travel in these leaner times, we sure are feeling it.
Remember the days of holidays past when we barely paid attention to our grocery bill or gift costs? In our minds it was only once a year and we felt it acceptable to splurge. There were wreaths and ribbons to buy and ornaments to fill the tree and lights to string. How about the parties we readied our homes for with a new piece of furniture here or a new rug there?
Wow, things sure have changed, but just maybe, that may not necessarily be a bad thing.
Never fear, it's not all bah humbug here. There are plenty of ways to freshen up your home for those holiday get togethers without breaking the bank. I promise to help your home sing, without using up the cash that you'll be needing for Santa's cookies.
To begin, I would suggest a good (long overdue) deep cleaning, decluttering. From that point you will be able to take inventory and see what you already may have. For instance, if you can deep clean that traffic spot in your rug and put that rug replacement cash to use in a more noticable fashion, you'll be able to really stretch your budget.
Paint can make the biggest impact with minimal investment. This works especially well when you just want to paint a feature wall to warm up a room. Its quick and if you tire of it after the winter then you can easily change it come spring. Throw pillows are another trick for a burst of color as well as cozy blanket throws. Check out your lamps and shades. Are they too small or just plain wrong for the scale of the room? Replacing them with lamps that fit the style of your decor can really pull it all together.
Next, we really need to talk about those dirty little scatter rugs that you've managed to acquire from one end of your home to the other. My suggestion? Put them in the dog's crate and replace them with new solid colored rugs only where you really need them. Remember, it's not always about what you bring into a room, all too often it can be more about what you can take out of a room that will really freshen things up.
Sprucing up the powder room for holiday guests will be much appreciated by all. Again, paint and a new area rug with fresh magazines, plants and soaps will really do the trick. Don't forget a holiday scented candle and hand towels for that warm, welcoming touch.
So, you've just remembered that you have guests spending a few nights this holiday season and your guest room is feeling a bit worn and tired? Again, a good cleaning will go along way to start. Follow it up with fresh sheets and a new duvet or throw at the end of the bed. Check the light bulbs and put out fresh matching guest towels. Finally, stack some favorite holiday books alongside a box of sugar plums for especially sweet dreams.
Curb appeal is easy this time of year with lights and or festive wreaths and garlands everywhere to be found. Remember to clean up any old summer pots or tools and clear all pathways.
I truly feel that this year's holidays may hold more meaning for most then they have for a long time. Rather than counting the gifts under the tree, I am hoping that we will be focusing
on those people that are around the tree. These are the loved ones that are there for us throughout year lending an ear with a generous heart no matter what trials they too are facing. I for one will be putting up a smaller tree this year with all of our beloved old family ornaments rather than my twelve foot tree filled with coordinated, glitzy bulbs and bows.
The only twinkle I really want to see this year is the twinkle in my family's eyes.
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