Simple Christmas Decorating Ideas

Lately, I have been feeling a bit like Ms. Claus and my house is resembling the North Pole! I love every minute of the Christmas season, the shopping, baking, decorating, spending time with family and friends, and reflecting on the birth of our savior. A surefire way to get into the holiday spirit is to decorate your home. Decorating can be a fun and creative way for your family to enjoy the season together. So grab a cup of hot chocolate and let your inner Santa emerge with these decorating tips.

Christmas Decorating Ideas

Table Centerpieces

Centerpieces are an inexpensive way to add holiday cheer to a room. Get a decorative bowl (gold, silver, etc.) and put colorful Christmas bulbs inside. I did this with a gold holiday bowl and filled it with red bulbs, it looks great and festive. Try adding pine cones in the bowl they also work well.

Candles

Candles add tremendous warmth to any room. Place them on your tables, in the hallway, on mantles, and add some green garland around them for a decorative touch. Place pillar candles on different sized candle holders and put lots of votive candles all over the house. Dress up the candle by putting a pretty ribbon around it.

Jars and Vases

You can do wonders with clear jars and vases! If you have little jars or canisters line them up on the kitchen counter and fill them with red and white candy, such as peppermints or candy canes. I have a few of the small thin vases and I have been able to use them in a couple ways. First, I bought a cheap string of red garland beads for about $1.99 and placed them into the clear vase, they look great! Those stray branches that you have to cut off your tree can be recycled and used for decorating. I cut the evergreen sprigs off and placed them in clear vases and put them on the window sills.

Ornaments

Ornaments aren’t only for the tree. If you have an ornament that has a message, for example an ornament with the word peace on it, hang it on a door knob of one of your rooms. Another idea is get a ribbon and string a number of bulbs on it and hang it above an entrance way.

Cypress Trees and Cinnamon Brooms

I bought a small cypress tree that I adore. These trees cost around $3.00-$4.00, they are small but they make a big impact in your room. Line three up on the window sill or put them on a coffee table with a festive Christmas ribbon tied around it and you have a great decoration.

The cinnamon broom is a new addition in my home that will become a fixture every year. Hang the broom up and it gives off the most wonderful scent. Mix that scent with the smell of pine and it is pure bliss. They also look rustic and charming.

Decorate the Kid’s Room

If you have little kids go back to your childhood and dig out your crafty side. Get some construction paper and make snowflakes. Hang them from the ceiling in their bedroom create a little winter wonderland. Put a small tree in their room, whether artificial or real and let them decorate it with unbreakable ornaments. Let them go wild with the tinsel and add a few lights, they’ll love it.

Print out stencils to trace their favorite Christmas characters to decorate and hang on their wall. Create a Christmas wall filled with snow, snowmen, Santa, candy canes, etc.

Nativity Scenes

No Christmas would be complete without a nativity scene. Nativity scenes can be expensive but you can also make your own. Many drugstores such as CVS or Rite Aids have Christmas decorations that are 50% off. Many of them have angels, Mary and Joseph and even small nativity sets that you can buy inexpensively. Whether it is a corner with a nativity scene or a table with spiritual literature and a comfortable chair that you can sit quietly around and pray and reflect on Jesus Christ, create a corner in your home that is dedicated to honoring the birth of Jesus Christ.

Have fun with the holidays. Think of creative ways to dress up your home with the warmth and coziness of the season. It doesn’t have to be an $80.00 strand of garland, it can be homemade or inexpensive items that add Christmas cheer to your surroundings. As moms we create the family traditions and memories that children will associate with the holidays. Make those memories precious and warm and always add a lot of love to everything you do.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Decorating Your Home For Fall

Although I am definitely a gal who enjoys summer fun, I am welcoming fall with open arms. I absolutely love the coziness that the fall season invokes. It makes me want to curl up near a fire with a warm blanket, a good book, and hot cup of cider. There is nothing like feeling a crisp autumn breeze on your face, or jumping into a pile of leaves with your kids. I usually wait until September to begin my fall decorating but, each year I find myself wanting to do it earlier. You can bring the warmness of fall into your own house for the whole family to enjoy by doing some fun fall decorating.

Ideas to make fall decorating fun at your house

Incorporate Colors of the Fall Season

The color pallet of the season is incredible with its rich deep reds, burnt oranges, gold, and yellows which are wonderful colors to incorporate into your home. Depending on the color scheme in your house you may want to swap a few of your pillows for those that have fall colors. Add a soft chenille throw to a couch, chair, or even at the end of your bed to keep you warm on those chilly evenings.

Bring the Outside Inside

Some of the best fall decorations are free. That’s right, free and in your own back yard or nearby parks. Look for fallen branches and place them in decorative or clear vases on your mantels or window sills. The leaves this time of year are breathtaking and look great displayed in picture frames. Pick an afternoon, pack a lunch and go leaf picking with your kids. This is a great activity especially, for younger children. Get creative with the camera and take pictures of your kids leaf picking and frame them. Change the tint of the pictures to sepia or black and white to add character.

Fall Themed Centerpieces

Make your dinner table a treat for the eyes by adding a simple centerpiece. Try placing a pretty bowl filled with red, green or yellow apples in the middle of your table. Different color squashes, small pumpkins, acorns, or pinecones in a bowl or tall glass vases are another eye catcher that looks great and is inexpensive. Brighten a room by adding a floral arrangements t such as sunflowers or mums.

Pleasure to the Senses

Do you remember how your home smelled when you were a child? What smells make you think of home? I love bringing all those great fall smells into my house. Candles are the most common way to get a house smelling delicious and with all the different scented smelling candles available it is a simple way to get the smell of pumpkins, or apples floating in your home.

If you have a fireplace throw in some logs when the weather gets cooler and enjoy the warmth and smell of a fire burning, while saving some money on your electric bill. Another simple way to have your house smelling great is to place ginger and cinnamon sticks in a pot of boiling water, the aroma is wonderful!

Doors and Entryways

Welcome your family and guests with a fall wreath on the door. Put a few decorated or undecorated pumpkins outside the door, not only will they add color they scream fall time. If you are feeling extra crafty you may even want to add a scarecrow or two!

Decorating for autumn can be fun and creative. Check your local stores for discounts on fall decorations, do crafts with your kids, and look in your own backyard for free resources. Celebrate fall by having a family game of football, raking leaves on a lazy Sunday, or drinking some apple cider by a fire. Get cozy with your family and your home while enjoying the new season. Don’t forget to thank God for the fall season and all the beauty that he has created for us to enjoy!

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Recreate Your Home – Quick and Cheap Decorating Tips for Busy Moms

Spring is not only a perfect time to do your usual, “spring cleaning,” but it is a great time for change and rejuvenation in your home. Making a few small changes around your house can give it a whole new look. Money may be tight, but that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck with the same old décor. During my pre-mom years I loved moving to a new place, simply because a new space gave me renewed energy. Each time I moved I found a new way to create my living quarters that I hadn’t quite thought of before. Now that I have a three year old and triple the belongings, I can’t say that I get the same thrill from moving. However, my home still undergoes a makeover every few months, just to keep things fresh. I normally try to redecorate around the spring or in the winter, or frankly anytime the mood strikes.

Does your home need a little lift, some color, or a new look? Spice up your home by being creative and resourceful with a few of these tips.

Quick and Cheap Decorating Tips for Busy Moms

Take Inventory and Keep an Open Mind

If you are watching your pennies, don’t be discouraged, new purchases aren’t always necessary. Take a look at the rooms in your home, is there furniture that you can swap from one room to the next? Would the mirror that has been hanging n the living room for four years look better in the hallway or perhaps the dining room? Sometimes we get so accustomed to how a room looks that we are reluctant to make changes. Try to envisioning pieces of one room in another room and you will be surprised at the big difference it can make. Dig in the attic or basement and pull out those old antique pieces and start refurbishing.

Changes on the Cheap

There are changes that you can do rather cheaply that give a completely different vibe to the room you are redecorating.

• Painting is one of the most inexpensive ways to reinvent a room. Choose the paint color that fits the purpose of the room. If you want the space to be tranquil you may choose a pale yellow. If you want a fun play room you may choose a brighter color such as red.
• Slipcovers can save you from purchasing a new piece of furniture. Instead of buying a new couch, search for slipcovers that resemble the new couch you have in mind. They also work wonders for dining room chairs.
• Pillow covers are great for those old pillows that no longer carry the same flair. Pillows can be costly, the covers are an affordable alternative to make them look new without spending the extra bucks.
• Lighting can enhance the mood of a room. Try to find deals on pairs of lamps and put them in a little nook and see the difference.
• Throws, curtains, and picture frames are other great ideas for recreating your space. You can get an affordable throw and place it over your couch, or a chair to add instant color and comfort. Curtains really bring out the personality of a room. Nothing makes a home more of a home than being surrounded by pictures of your loved one. Take your favorite pictures, get them enlarged, change them to black and white or sepia, put them in inexpensive frames, and enjoy a house full of memories.

Redesign the Room

The easiest way to redesign a room is by moving the furniture around. Moving the furniture can make a huge difference. Try to create a space that feels open and flows with the grain of the room. Also, don’t be afraid to move the furniture into different rooms. That chair that has always been in the living room may look better in the sun room. I took the curtains that were in my dining room and exchanged them for the curtains in my living room and loved the new look! Don’t be afraid to take risks and try something new, you can always move it back. Take pictures of the room before and after you have rearranged the furniture to help you make your final decision.

Redecorating your home can be fun and rejuvenating. Make it a family affair and it becomes a real creative experience when everyone’s ideas are involved. Have everyone to write down their ideas and then compare and combine them. Remember to have fun and think outside of the box, by adding a little color, texture, and creativity you can give your home a brand new vibe.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Choosing Décor to Fit Your Style

Have you ever walked into a room and noticed how much you liked it? Was it warm, rich and inviting? Or was it cold, dreary and drab?

If your home leaves you with that drab feeling, or doesn’t feel quite right; I have good news for you! You can change it to fit your style and be the home of your dreams!

Decorating a room can make ALL the difference!

Okay, you’ve made a decision. It’s time for that “room-lift!” You’ve decided to take the plunge and decorate!

Congratulations! Now, where do you begin?

It all started for me when I woke up one day and noticed that I did not like my living room. After all, we had inherited the décor and style of the previous owner. I was so busy bearing children and trying to assimilate as a new mother and new homeowner, that I hadn’t even noticed that I did not care for the décor of my home. After all, let’s face it; it did not reflect ME.

A friend of mine had a natural talent for decorating, and as a matter of fact had attended some workshops –and recommended that I just start looking at magazines to get ideas of what I DID like.

Okay, I thought, I can certainly handle that. After all, pouring through and daydreaming about the exquisite dining rooms and living rooms in each new Ethan Allen magazine I received had become an ardent pastime of mine. I LOVED looking at magazines with the gorgeous displays of furniture in different motifs and colors. And when I saw what I liked, I knew it. The style that I loved surfaced quickly, clearly, and easily. With every magazine I looked at, the same style surfaced as my absolute favorite. I LOVED it.

The colors I liked were rich, the style was elegant. I loved the deep jewel tones and the Victorian richness. The shiny gold brass I used to favor as a teenager had now been replaced with antique gold and dark bronze. I loved the deep burgundies, greens, golds, and plums highlighted with accents of pure white.

My friend came over to assess my living room. I had my father-in-law’s brown love seat, a crème-colored paisley print sofa given to me by my own father, a luxurious gold Victorian mirror that I did like (because I bought it) clashing stubbornly with the white country lace curtains leftover from the previous owner. My walls were sterile white. We had a lot to work with!

To bring warmth to the room, we decided to paint the walls. We chose a soft gold for the walls, with one accent wall in cranberry.

I selected various wall hangings, a shelf, and sconces with candles to dress up my walls. I covered my mismatched sofas with slipcovers. I replaced the country lace curtains with a sheer gold window scarf that dipped gracefully down at the top of each window, and then hung down to the floor on each side. I threw an area run down on the living room floor, and centered my new coffee table on top of it. Additional living room accents included a striking European vase embracing a blossom of pure white roses, a floor lamp, and a couple of lush, green topiaries.

The room was beautiful. Our colors were cranberry and gold. All the wall décor contrasted with the color behind it – light colored décor on the cranberry accent wall, and dark décor on the gold wall. The slipcovers and area rug were breathtaking – all in cranberry and gold with a rich Victorian style. I was in love with my living room!

Decorating is fun and easy!

Well, are you ready to take the plunge?

Here are some simple steps to follow:

1. Know your style – study magazines until you know what you like. You will be attracted to the same style over and over again, and your style will quickly become evident to you.
2. Decide on what “feel” you want for the room - do you want a dramatic, sophisticated look? A casual look? A modern look? Stick to those styles as you make your choices.
3. Copy the pros - study those magazine photos! What makes the room so quaint; so charming; so luxuriously beautiful? Copy the flower arrangements you see; how window coverings are hung; how wall hangings are “framed” on either side with candles, plants, or figurines, etc.

Have fun and enjoy the process of decorating a room, and you’ll be amazed at the transformation that takes place. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kathy Afetian owns a successful home based business with Mia Bella Gourmet Candles, an alternative wax, all-natural, candle that contains no toxins and smells great. She has been married for 9 years and has four children. You can visit her at www.sweetsmellingsuccess.com.