 | It’s the Christmas season, and the decorations are up. The front of the house is twinkling with lights, and the tree is a thing of beauty. And the rest of the house? In many homes, it might as well be Arbor Day for all the attention other rooms receive.
Infusing the spirit of Christmas into your home doesn’t have to be a big job. Nor does it have to be an expensive one. Here are some ways to bring a bit of that Christmas magic to each part of your home.
Let’s start with the kitchen. For so many of us, this is where many of the Christmas preparations take place. Shouldn’t it look as festive as the cookies we’re decorating? Think about investing in some cheap red or green curtains to replace your normal ones. A bit of red and green plaid ribbon as an accent, and …Voila! Your kitchen has a holiday air. Add some satin ornaments to the ends of the curtain rods to give it extra pizzazz.
For even more kitchen cheer, think about getting some holiday dish towels. Holiday mugs can be bought at many dollar stores, and make that hot chocolate taste even better (as will the bits of candy cane you add during the holiday season.) A holiday mat under the sink, and Santa may settle down there for his cookies and hot chocolate.
The odds are good that you’ve already planned on a holiday tablecloth for your table. Now look up, at that lighting fixture over the table. Consider hanging more of those satin ornaments, or even some real or plastic candy canes from short ribbons. Intertwine some greenery or contrasting Christmas ribbon, and the entire room will look more festive. Use a bit more ribbon to tie a nice bow on the spindles of your chair backs.
Your bathroom will sparkle with holiday cheer when you put out some holiday towels. You can either find Santa or snowman themed towels, or layer a red towel onto a green one for a holiday mood. And to make everyone smile, invest in a new set of toothbrushes for the family—in red and green. (It may take an initial in permanent marker or a dot of nail polish to differentiate them, but that’s part of the fun.)
Stop for a minute and consider all your doors. From the linen closet to the back door to the basement stairs, the odds are good that they’re just waiting for some holiday cheer. Consider stringing some small jingle bells (found at craft stores) onto a ribbon and wrapping the doorknobs. Be careful here, though; you want to ignore any door which will be opened near a sleeping child! For those doors, perhaps a bit of garland will substitute nicely.
And what about your other senses? Think about simmering some cinnamon sticks in a pot of water on the stove. You’ll be amazed at how good each nook and cranny of your home will smell in no time at all. And music—don’t let this holiday go by without sampling the rich variety of music available. From Handel’s Messiah to the Chipmunks to Bing Crosby, be sure that music is an integral part of your planning and budget.
Include your kids as well. A spare bit of that Christmas ribbon will make any bicycle, tricycle or scooter look festive.
The Christmas Season is so very short. Make the most of the time to spread cheer throughout each part of your home.
|  |
|
