Turn on your favorite Christmas music and heat up the holiday hot cocoa. Lay out your favorite Christmas items to decorate with, slip into the holiday spirit, and follow these 10 simple steps.

By Kathy Mays, Interior Designer, in Simplify Your Holiday Season Planner by Marcia Ramsland

1. Choose a Holiday Theme

Your theme can be anything from a color or color scheme to a family tradition, toy tin soldiers or nature itself. The choice is yours.

2. Decorate the Front Door

Wrap the front door frame with lighted garland. Add a wreath with festive ribbon and coordinating bow. Viola! The door is done and the holidays have begun.

3. Change Your Doormat

Add a festive holiday mat. Your guests will feel warm and welcomed as they approach your front door.

4. Carry the Theme Throughout Your Home

Replace everyday towels with Christmas towels. Add colorful Christmas balls to a crystal bowl or vase on the coffee table.

5. Replace Sofa Throw Pillows

Trade out for a different size and color Christmas pillows. Square, round, and bolsters can make interesting conversation pieces.

6. Decide the Type of Tree You Want to Decorate

“Focal Point Trees” are dressed in lights, ribbons, balls or florals. “Family trees” are dressed in lights with your family’s favorite keepsake ornaments. Both can be very lovely.

7. Coordinate the Fireplace Mantle to Your Tree

If you choose a neutral color theme, add a few colorful candles of staggered heights in crystal candle holders. Adding a few clusters of Christmas balls from the colors in your tree to give your mantle or end tables extra shine.

8. Add Lighted Garland to Stairwell Railings

Consider doing the same for your focal point window. All white light, in particular, adds a touch of warmth, color and class.

9. Make Your Homes Festive with Poinsettias

You can add them to your entryway inside or outside, on a dining room table, fireplace hearth and throughout your home or outdoor patio.

10. Top it Off with Your Favorite Christmas Scent

Light a vanilla scented candle or simmer cinnamon sticks on your cooktop. It’s all very simple, and now you have a holiday home!

If your decorations cause you more anxiety than enjoyment, it’s time to simplify! Whatever you haven’t put up, might be time to donate. What you DO put up, take pictures, so you have a reference to do it faster next year!

Kathy Mays is Owner and President of Kathy Mays Design. Throughout the years Kathy has professionally designed & decorated residential homes and commercial businesses. She is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) and Certified Interior Designer in San Diego.

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