Holiday Decorating with COLOR!

 Decorating your homes with color during the holidays in NC - SC !

Holidays around the globe are celebrated in so many different ways and with a variety of traditions, decorating styles, and holiday colors that are unique to each country.  When choosing a color scheme for your home, whether it’s for the holidays or year-round, first decide on the mood you want to create. 

Do you want to have an atmosphere that feels warm and inviting or would you prefer a soothing, elegant place to come home to after the chaos of holiday shopping? Look at your home decor and decorate your holidays based on your style and personality. 

For a home that feels festive and inviting during the holidays, decorate with red, green, white, and gold. Bring in rustic decor with nostalgic vintage pieces such as a rusty red sleigh, or a cozy plaid flannel throw blanket. If you would rather have a traditional color scheme with an elegant touch, bring in gleaming gold ornaments, whites, sparkling strings of lights, and velvety rich-colored toss pillows. Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive, either. Visit local antique shops and discount stores,  or think about what you might have tucked away from your childhood that would work with the color scheme you’ve chosen and the mood you want to create.

Important, find one motif, color or theme and stick with it, Whatever motif you choose, “You must repeat, repeat, repeat,” A collection of too many ideas looks careless and cluttered. To create a balanced look, three is the magic number. If your theme is snowflakes, then put three snowflakes each on your wreath, in a floral arrangement, on the mailbox and on the wall. The consistency will tie your look together.

Whimsical elements are a great way to create a fun illusion. Mix and match real with fake, and it fools the eye. Keep your guests guessing by incorporating unexpected elements in your décor.Your holiday theme can be a new twist on a traditional motif, or something you’ve never done before. Consider a variation on the traditional color scheme. Try lime green and raspberry, deep burgundy and sage green, or powder blue and silver. Ribbons, fabrics and ornaments in a new color scheme will give your holiday décor an updated look. 

Christmas Tree Decorating For The Holidays

 Adding a real Christmas tree to your decor this holiday season? 

Decide Where to Place the Tree - Avoid placing your tree near a heat source (sunny windows, radiators, heating vents, and fireplaces). Try to keep the tree out of high traffic areas where it might be bumped or overturned, or where someone might trip on light cords. 

Measure Twice - Before you go shopping or hunting for that "perfect tree," you'll need to decide where it will fit in your home. See placement tips above, but once a spot is chosen be sure to measure BOTH the ceiling height and the width of that space.  Also, measure your tree stand to determine the maximum diameter of the tree trunk you can use in it. Finally, measure the height of your tree stand as well as the height of your treetop decoration. Use all these measurements to determine the perfect height and width of the tree you'll select for your home. Don't forget to write them down and take them with you!

Take a Tape Measure - Take the tape measure with you when you shop. You'll need it to measure the trees you consider so you don't take home a 7" diameter tree trunk for your 5" diameter stand or a 9 foot tall tree if your ceilings are only 8 feet.

Before Leaving Home - Take heavy gloves to protect your hands, and a tape measure to help select the right size tree. Find an old blanket to protect your car from pine needles and sap. Taketwine or rope to tie it securely to the car (unless you know the tree lot will provide this). Locate a saw so a fresh cut can be made before placing the tree in water. Fill a bucket with lukewarm water so your tree can start drinking water as soon as it gets home and has a fresh cut. Find your tree stand (or determine if you'll need a new one) and set it up. Confirm the maximum tree trunk diameter that will fit into the stand.

Tree Stands - Choose a tree stand that is sturdy and the right size. Pay attention to the size of tree trunk that each stand will accommodate. The taller your tree, the bigger diameter of the trunk. If you have a tall, wide room, be sure to get a large stand for the large tree you'll select. If you'll put your tree on a table, a smaller stand will work fine. Look for tree stand models that hold lot of water. You'll spend less time refilling the water pan throughout the season. Get a stand that is easily adjustable so the tree can be leveled. 

Choosing a Tree - Trees with shorter needles (such as Fraser or Noble Fir) are often easier to decorate than others, as they offer some space between branches for decorations as well as some stronger stems to hold heavier ornaments. Learn more about the many types of Christmas trees and find out the characteristics and uses of each type. 

Space Between Branches - Keep in mind that a tree looks better when the ornaments hang straight. Many trees today are groomed to be lush and full, so aware that ornaments may hang at an angle on these sheered trees. For ornaments to hang straight you'll want a tree with some space between the branches. To test a tree, take an unbreakable ornament with you and hang it on several branches to see if there is room for it to hang straight.

Select a Fresh Tree - How can you tell if a tree is fresh? The needles should look shiny, green, and fresh -- not dry or brown. They should not fall off when you pull on a branch. 

Transporting your Tree - If possible lay the tree inside your car or trunk for the drive home. This will be difficult unless you have a large van or truck. If you drive with the tree on the roof of your car, you must tie it securely to the car. You may want to wrap it in a tarp or old blanket.

Happy Holidays from our home to yours!