Holiday plans made simple

Holiday entertaining. Sounds simple enough, right? Hardly. The idea here is that you plan a brilliant party for everyone that's important to you - execute it flawlessly while looking your absolute best - and you're to do this during the busiest time of year. It's enough to give even a consummate entertainer a case of stage fright.

If you're entertaining this holiday season you owe it to yourself to find those simple & satisfying solutions that fit effortlessly into your busy life. There's nothing "entertaining" about a host who's too exhausted to enjoy her own party. Keep it simple and your energies can be spent in experiencing the joy the holidays bring. Here are some suggestions for simplifying holiday décor plans:

10 Simple Decorating Suggestions

1. Take the family for a walk in the woods and gather evergreen boughs and branches to use for indoor decorating. When you're back home, turn on some Christmas music and spend time as a group braiding the greens into garlands to use on the banister, mantel, windows, and front door. Group several varieties of greens together to create a lush and fragrant backdrop to other holiday decorations.
2. Consider a tree adorned only in white lights, or completely bare - marvel at nature's perfection. Wrap the base in natural burlap, a luscious throw made of wool, or a cozy quilt.
3. Group large pinecones in threesomes bound with wide satin ribbon. Hang from doorknobs, stair banisters, or in windows.
4. Spread cheer in unexpected places, like the powder room. String while lights around the mirror and hang festive ornaments from the chandelier. Use a miniature stocking and a fringe of cedar to create a festive tie back for draperies.
5. Keep a Polaroid handy and snap family and friends as they enter, or posed near the tree. Post pictures on a bulletin board covered with pretty gift-wrap. Make sure everyone signs his or her photo.
6. Add sparkle to the table with vintage jewelry. Rhinestone broaches, shiny clip earrings, and chunky plastic beads all look great when displayed with enthusiasm.
7. Nuts are traditional holiday favorites - use them decoratively. Hang walnut clusters from pretty bows and attach to evergreen boughs throughout the house. Line glass bowls with a base of greens and then fill with walnuts or pecans.
8. Let school-age children decorate the tree all by themselves. Offer paper, scissors, glue, felt, popcorn, cranberries and ribbons. Provide help only when asked and make no adjustments to the handiwork. Then revel in their pride. When company comes you'll not only look rested, you'll have something to brag about.
9. Fill beautiful bowls with oranges, pomegranates, or apples. Or, use the same fruits to surround the base of an urn that holds an evergreen. In the kitchen, fill a wire or woven breadbasket with boxwood and red pears.
10. Create a tree of life - invite friends and family to contribute one ornament each to your tree. Don't worry about "matching" instead celebrate the differences and bask in how much you are loved.

No matter what you're celebrating, cherish the time spent with family and friends. Open your heart and your home; make this year's celebration like no other.