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By Jordan Koonts, Contributing Writer for The House Designers®
The holiday season is right around the corner. As the weather gets cooler and the nights get longer, homes all across the country are being decorated with holiday spirit. From the warm colors of fall and Thanksgiving to the cozy feeling of Christmastime, and even a touch of spooky to start us off for Halloween, the holidays are a wonderful part of year. But for many, decorating for the holidays can be troublesome. Don’t let the stress of decorating take the fun out of the season! Follow these simple steps to easily transition home decorations as you show off your holiday cheer.
Plan Ahead
With so many holidays back-to-back, it can feel like you’re constantly putting up and taking down new decorations. Many homeowners store their holiday decorations in their attic, basement, or garage so they're out of the way for the rest of the year. Prior to holiday season, go through decorations to organize and label them by holiday or contents. This will make sorting through countless boxes and tubs to find that one perfect decoration a thing of the past! If space permits, also consider bringing some of the boxes into a more accessible place. Limiting trips up and down the stairs will not only reduce stress, but it can save you time as well.
Many homeowners who have lived in their home for years probably have a routine for decorating. New homeowners or anybody who has just moved into their dream home should make a similar plan. As you organize your decorations, take inventory of what you have for each holiday, and then walk through your home, planning where each item will go when it comes time to decorate. Planning ahead will also help you realize what you may want to add to your decorative collection, saving you from frantic last-minute trips to the store.
Seek Multi-Functionality
While each holiday is distinct, one easy method of transitioning your home seamlessly is through use of multi-functional decorations. Finding easy and tasteful ways to lessen your decorating burden is a key way to reduce holiday stress. Consider decorations that highlight the colors and warmth of the season, without being too singularly specific to one holiday. For instance, you can decorate with leaves, pumpkins, and other traditionally tasteful natural items throughout your home. Not only will these decorations look good, but they can stay put from September until Thanksgiving, or even all the way to the end of autumn in December! Items such as these provide a good decorative base, and you can freely add more holiday-specific items on top of them. Your home can easily transition from the spooky jack-o'-lanterns and skeletons of Halloween, to ready for Thanksgiving dinner in practically no time. The key is to only have to transition a few items, allowing you to spend less time decorating and more time with your family and friends.
The wintry season around Christmas is another great time to use multi-functional decorations. Incorporating lots of whites and winter-themed items allows you to easily transition from Christmas presents into hosting the best New Year’s party, hardly having to lift a finger to re-decorate. Now all you have to worry about is finding the perfect tree!
Beat the Rush and Stock Up Early
Nobody likes getting caught in the dreaded holiday shopper rush. By planning ahead and taking an inventory of your different decorations, you have plenty of time to go to the store and find the perfect items to complete your holiday theme. Many stores start selling holiday decorations in mid-October or even earlier, and will continue throughout the holiday season. Consider buying items early to avoid the long holiday lines. And for online shoppers, keep an eye out for frequent holiday deals to save time and money.
When you’re taking inventory of decorations and what you need, don’t overlook the simple things. Tacks and nails for lights, ornament hooks, and adhesive strips for wall hangings can be forgotten. Stocking up on these necessities will ensure that you can seamlessly transition your décor and avoid the frustrations of running to the store in the middle of everything.
The holidays are a fun and joyous time of relaxation and reconnecting with family and loved ones. Holiday decorating can be a fun tradition that families enjoy all season—don’t let that tradition get ruined by stress or frustration. By planning ahead you can ensure that your home is in the holiday spirit all season long, ready to transition to the next celebration with ease.