Now is the time to get those little things done around the house to make your home holiday worthy. Do you have some projects that you would like to see done? Is there a room in your home that is in serious need of decluttering, a door that squeaks, some artwork that needs to be hung? Develop a plan to get one or two things done around your home each day, and you’ll be in a great place for the holidays–that great place will be your home! It is so hard to fit the time in to do anything extra … Continue reading →

How are you preparing for the holidays? During the last post I talked about getting the house back into somewhat normal order after a couple of weeks of heavy workloads and church commitments. Well, I am happy to report that we are mostly there. My next order of business in my home is to eliminate the clutter and the excess. This will not only make it easier to keep everything clean, but it will leave room for the holiday decorating. The decorations will have a place to go, especially the Christmas tree, and the house won’t look overwhelmed. It will … Continue reading →

Now that the chaos of Halloween is over, I really need to gear up for the upcoming holidays. Truthfully, the thought of it all is overwhelming, so the best way to pursue getting everything done is to break it down into steps that I can easily follow. Today is an easy one to figure out. We’ve been a very busy family in the past two weeks. I’ve been working more, and we’ve had a lot of extra commitments, church and otherwise, so some things in the house have been let go. So today, my goal is to catch up on … Continue reading →

If you want something fun to do this weekend or even through next week, consider attending a tree lighting. Now is the time for this fun event in many communities across the country. A tree lighting us just that, the witnessing of the lighting of a Christmas tree in the community. Often it occurs at town park, a town square or other significant location in your town or city. Often, there are other events taking place as part of the event, such as music, carols, games and other forms of entertainment. There may be the opportunity to add your own … Continue reading →

What do you do if…? Is it okay when…? Some situations may come up during your holiday party that require a bit of manners to deal with. How do you know what the right thing to do is? Take a look at this primer for some common issues that may come up during your holiday party. Bringing Something Even the best intentions can result in a lapse in manners. If you are the guest, it is appropriate to bring something to the party, but what you are expected to bring can make a big difference. If the party is a … Continue reading →

A wreath is a classic element of holiday decorating. Depending on the style of wreath and where it is placed, your look can range from elegant to whimsical. Here are some different ideas for wreaths that I have gathered from observing local large-scale indoor Christmas displays. Take advantage of professional ideas and adapt them at home. From mansions to malls, ideas for wreaths come in many different adaptations. Chandelier Wreath Why not turn your big beautiful wreath into a real centerpiece as a chandelier? You can adapt this idea at home by leaving the chandelier unlit (or use battery powered … Continue reading →

Earlier this evening, my husband caught me looking at artificial Christmas trees online. I know this stresses him out. He doesn’t even want to think about having to buy a Christmas tree just a few days after Halloween. “I’m just doing research,” I say. Because of past experience, I know that now is precisely the time to look. I’m getting tired of the clean up from our Christmas tree. The shedding is a getting a bit ridiculous. It might surprise you to know that the tree in question is an artificial one, and yea it sheds. Pushing 20 years old, … Continue reading →