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Reduce The Stress of Holiday Decorating - Keep It Simple

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

Since it's that time of year for decorating our homes for the season, I thought I would share some of my favorite past Christmas tips and ideas for decking the halls.

 

Whenever possible I use what I have on hand to create holiday decor.

Tree branches are a really easy resource for Christmas decorating. Whether you leave them natural or paint them is up to you. It's really easy to make them whatever color you want using spray paint.

 

For Outside:

You can use a blend of bare tree branches, greens and berries you collect from your yard, if you are lucky enough to have them available to you. 

 

I find that a mix of natural bare tree branches and artificial Christmas tree branches works really well.

I actually prefer the fake greens over natural because I can reuse them every year.

The artificial Christmas tree branches work great in window boxes too!

 

For Inside:

You can use a blend of natural tree branches, painted or not, and artificial flowers for decorating inside your home.

One of my favorites is this arrangement...

I used bronze spray paint on the branches and then added artificial greens, berries and silk flowers.

You can't tell from the pic, but the branches look really pretty metallic.

 

Branches work well for a tablescape too....

 

Branches were left natural, but would be really pretty painted white, gold or burgundy.

 

 

You can also use paint to give a new look to old or inexpensive ornaments....

 

Old plastic balls were painted blue, and then dipped in Elmer's Glue and then dipped in Epsom salts for a fresh new look.

Here's another way to refresh old ornaments with paint:

New Life For Your Old Balls

 

Ornaments are not just for the tree and garland.

Filling a glass vase or bowl with ornaments is a simple way to create a festive look. 

 

The tree isn't the only place to hang ornaments....

Try hanging some ornaments in your windows. 

 

 The holiday season should be something to enjoy and bring you happiness!

 The key to reducing the stress of holiday decorating is to keep it simple. 

 

 

If your home is on the market during the holidays...

Keeping it simple is especially important. 

It's best to decorate for the season, rather than the holiday. 

If you put up a Christmas tree it's best to remove it the first week in January, along with any other holiday specific decor.

 

Comments(41)

Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Keeping it simple is best, yet, when the decision isn't entirely yours, it could get busy and complicated, couldn't it? 

Dec 11, 2017 06:32 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Sharon

The  holidays should be fun and enjoyable and it’s not much fun getting stressed out. These are some wonderful examples of what you can do...I have always enjoyed red berries with greens inside and out. We tend to be fairly simple in our approach and what we enjoy.

Jeff

Dec 11, 2017 06:32 PM
Bruce Hicks
Best Homes Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Your Best Hawaii Realtor!

Sharon Tara , those are some very nice photos! We went along the same vein as Melissa E. Spittel. we got out the boxed tree in storage already with lights on it, used some decorations our cousin gave us and that's it.  Oh, the wife purchased a natural wreath for the door! 

Dec 11, 2017 06:33 PM
Tyra Hatcher Mitchell
Alliance Realty - Portland, ME
Southern Maine Realtor

I really enjoyed your post and was so inspired by the photos that you chose. You can never go wrong with imple elegance

Dec 11, 2017 07:58 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Myrl Jeffcoat  I appear to have inspired some spammers too. They have been reported.

Thanks for the comment. I hope you find your holiday decorating spirit!

Melissa E. Spittel  That's ok. Sometimes we just need to take a break. You won't regret it after the holidays when you are spared the clean up!

Kimo Jarrett  My husband would agree with you. LOL

Jeff Dowler  I seem to be doing less each year. As long as I have my tree, I'm happy. I didn't think I was going to decorate outside this year, but we had an unseasonably warm day Thanksgiving weekend and the spirit hit me. LOL

Dec 11, 2017 08:33 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Bruce Hicks  I'm sure it's lovely. Whatever makes you both happy!

 

Tyra Hatcher Mitchell  Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post and especially happy you let me know!

Dec 11, 2017 08:33 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Sharon 

Keeping it simple is a plan . . . . to get it done.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Dec 11, 2017 09:08 PM
Betsy N. Robinson - Serving the Sandhills, NC
Everything Pines Partners, LLC. - Whispering Pines, NC
CNS

Holiday decorating is so personal but celebrating the spirit of the season is the important thing and keeping it simple paramount so there is time left to enjoy its true significance.

Dec 12, 2017 02:33 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Interesting ideas for decorating. I usually keep it simple. A wreath, a few family decorations, a tree, hang up some cards, and that's it. But I like the ornaments in the window idea!

Dec 12, 2017 03:25 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Thanks, Sharon.  These are great tips.

Dec 12, 2017 04:39 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Lou Ludwig  With a plan we can accomplish great things!

Betsy N. Robinson - Serving the Sandhills, NC  Beautifully stated! Thank you!

Kat Palmiotti  Thank you. If you try the ornaments in a window please share a photo!

Gabe Sanders  Thank you!

Dec 12, 2017 07:15 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hi Sharon - I'm off to pick up a few greens to keep our look natural and smelling good!  Lots of really great ideas - thank you!

Dec 12, 2017 09:56 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Anna Banana Kruchten CRS,CRB  I'm sure you will do a beautiful job!

Dec 12, 2017 10:47 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Beautiful and simple tips for decorating.

Even I can follow these ideas.

Great photos also.

Dec 12, 2017 11:32 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good evening Sharon - I am with you.  Keep it simple.  After so many years of putting so many things up and then taking them down I have come to enjoy simple.

Dec 12, 2017 03:12 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

John Wiley  Thank you! Now get out there and decorate! LOL

Grant Schneider  Less is more. No need to create the North Pole to enjoy the holidays! Unless you want to, of course!

Dec 12, 2017 04:49 PM
Joyce Marsh
Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes

Sharon, these are all great tips for refurbishing old ornaments and using what you already have on hand in new and creative ways. Thanks and Merry Christmas. 

Dec 13, 2017 01:57 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Joyce Marsh, Florida Real Estate  Glad you enjoyed the post! Painting the ornaments can be quite therapeutic too.

Dec 13, 2017 05:47 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Sharon Tara I love your new photo.... and I just saw this post on a reblog..... everything you create is just magnificent.... you are truly "the best"...

Nov 03, 2018 08:47 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Barbara Todaro  I'm glad you found it because I was not aware it had been shared. Thank you for the kind words. I often think the very same of you!

Nov 03, 2018 04:36 PM