HTSTHS - Holiday Decorating

How to Survive the Holiday Season

Holiday Decorating

   There are so many variables to think about when you think about decorating for the holiday season.  Here are some questions to help you think about it and my thoughts.

1.  Do you want to decorate?

2.  Inside?  Outsie?  Both?

3.  How much do you want to decorate?

4.  Are there rules where you live limiting what and where you can decorate?

5  What's your budget?

6.  What are your personal tastes?

Always remember, things change!

   If you decorate may be a year to year decision.  Lots of things can change your desire to put out deco.  Or, decorating a certain way may become a Tradition.   It's harder to change Traditions.

I decorate.  Both inside and outside.

   I'm not a talented decorator.  To be honest, my style on interior decorating is to box up the normal deco and put out as much of my Christmas stuff as possible.  If I have time I make it pretty, but just having it out makes me happy.  Each piece has a history.

   Almost no one starts out with a fancy collection.  Collecting slowly works for most of us.  That whole budget thing.  Do Not expect your place to look like the magazines.  Unless you are, of course talented enough to do that.  I'm certainly not.  Start small.  Make stuff if you have that sort of talent.

Remember, your place, inside or out should reflect your personal tastes.

Practical note:  Before setting stuff up, check to make stuff works, lights especially.  Having spare bulbs and batteries is a good idea.  A timer for outside displays is crucial in my opinion.  Using a timer inside is good too - especially if you're going to be out.  Also check to make sure that any electrical cords you use on outside deco is meant to be outside.  Check to make sure it's the right kind.  It's rather a nuisance to have to go back to the store because your new outside deco needs a 3 prong socket and all you have is two prong.

   Also, the new command hooks are a good way to hang inside deco, if they work. And they hurt the walls less.

Thoughts on various groups:

Young Adults living at home:  If you're living at home you may have a limited ability to affect what is put out.  However, you should help put it up.  Volunteer even.

Single adults living away from home:  If you have your own place, it's your call how much gets decorated, and where.  However, if you have roommates, you are going to have to negotiate.  At one point my son was living with two other people.  One decorated much of the house with Nightmare Before Christmas, which they were all cool with.  My son, however, had a mini tree, with lights in his room for his own personal decoration.

Married/ with a Significant Other and no kids:  Same general advice.  Lots more talking about what traditions each brings in and what will work for the both of you.  Watch any budget you set up and listen to each other.  Share in the work.  If one person wants certain decorations to happen and the other is not willing to help in the process, the person wanting that deco gets to decide:  Do they do it themselves, or do they talk to the SO about other deco ideas?  Nagging is not an option.

With children:  Do not plan on perfect if you have children.  Once they reach a certain age kids can help set up some things.  And kids can be trained to stay away from the breakables, but plan on breakage.  Fragile stuff you don't want broken should either be completely out of reach, or maybe it can wait a year or two to come out.

With pets:  Plan on breakage, especially if you have inside animals.  Some families will have non-breakable ornaments on the bottom of their trees and the more fragile stuff higher up.  That doesn't always work well with cats, but it can help.  Good luck!

If you need ideas, drive around your neighborhood and decide what you like and don't like.  Watch for the after Christmas sales and pick up what want for next years deco.

Be Flexible.  Have fun.  Make it part of your family traditions.