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You don't have to work yourself into a frenzy to decorate your home for the holidays. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best and can help to reduce the stress level of major holidays. First of all, you don't have to go run out and buy your decorations the same year the holiday comes up in. Secondly, have some standbys that are the same year to year. Finally, keep in mind that many fires can be set with the use of standard decorating elements like candles or improperly grounded lights. Be sure to be safe as well as beautiful during your holiday seasons.
Create A Decorating Closet
Everyone should have one closet where they store all their seasonal decorations. If you don't have a closet, then use a part of your garage or basement. You will want to gradually build up your decorating closet to include all the holidays, not just Christmas and Thanksgiving. This can be done by shopping after a holiday passes for all the leftover and discounted decorations. If you store them, they are like brand new when you take them out the following year. You save and you've just added a new feature to your decorating style.
Your Favorite Standbys
Obviously, there are some generic favorites: Christmas trees, wreaths, statues, and lights. However, the standby can also be something very individual like a large nutcracker or a Valentine's Day poster. Dried wreaths are great for storing in their boxes and bringing out for different occasions. They are even good for casual parties when there is no holiday to celebrate. Lights should always be reviewed before storing, to make sure they are all in working order and not tangled into a giant mess that you'll have to unwind the following year. Have some additional lamps as well as string lights to bring more festive accents into your home. Candles are a wonderful source of light but they can be dangerous and should be watched closely during the holiday season.
Think safety when you are decorating. The fact is if you are decorating you are most likely going to be entertaining too. So, expect visitors, sometimes with their children to show up to admire your decorations. You will want to make sure your outlets are safety plugged for small children. If you have pets, never leave them unattended near extra wiring or lit candles. They can easily chomp down on electrical wires and hurt, if not kill themselves. Also, any natural materials that you are using in wreaths or as accent plants, like poinsettias, are very dangerous when ingested. Keep them away from pets and small children.
When decorating for the holidays, you can prepare ahead of time. Having a closet or space where you stock your treasures can be a source of great stress relief the following year. If you aren't out shopping with everyone else, then you have more time to enjoy the holidays. Use some pieces as standard decorating “bones” while newer pieces can help to accent the older pieces. Move the location of your decorations year-to-year to make them different and exciting. Above all, think safety. Don't bring in plants that are toxic into a household of small children even if they fit your décor. Try to understand how to use electric lights in a way that is safe and practical.