Holiday Jazz in a Flash

Holiday Jazz in a Flash - Decorate your Home Quickly and Easily

Christmas is almost upon us. If you're running short on time, and scrambling to figure out how to get your house looking festive in a short amount of time, these tips are for you. We know nothing looks nicer than room upon room of elaborate decorations, but a few artfully arranged ones will make all the difference if you're short on time. Before your holiday guests arrive, jazz up your living space with our quick holiday decorating tips.

Poinsettias have long been a holiday favorite for adding a quick splash of Christmas color. Instead of just displaying one lone plant try using several plants together to make a beautiful floral arrangement. Place several Poinsettias together in the fireplace when it’s not in use or line the plants along a window sill for a row of holiday blooms. These plants make cheap and easy Christmas decorations that can be moved and rearranged for a variety of different looks.


Tradition is a big part of the holiday season and even the most modern decors will likely benefit from tried and true standards. Ribbon and bows are safe favorites that require very little effort on your part but using them in unexpected ways adds a unique twist on these Christmas decorations. Use bows, either handmade or store bought, and ribbon as festive tie backs for curtains. To quickly dress up your dining table why not turn the back of your chairs into Christmas gifts? Wrap one piece of ribbon horizontally around the back of the chair and another piece vertically. Have the pieces meet and overlap as you would on a boxed gift. Add a large bow where the two pieces meet to finish off the look.


If non-traditional Christmas decorations are more to your liking try converting everyday items into quick and festive arrangements. Choose a sculpted bowl, glass or porcelain work great, and place it on a gold or silver tray. Fill with like colored fruits of different sizes. Great combinations are pomegranates and cranberries or a mixture of oranges, tangerines and kumquats. Soften the look with sprigs of holly or other festive greenery. Accent the tray with gold Christmas balls and you have a stunning centerpiece in minutes.


When it comes to quick and inexpensive Christmas decorations never underestimate candle power. A grouping of dinner candles placed in gold or silver candle holders of varying lengths on a tray makes a great centerpiece for a dining or coffee table. Add some pinecones, cinnamon sticks or Christmas baubles on the tray for an added holiday touch. Love the look of flames but can’t be bothered to light a fire? Place a large arrangement of candles in your fireplace or on your hearth for no-hassle ambience.


Every year we receive tons of Christmas cards and finding space to display them can quickly run out. Instead of simply placing the cards you receive on shelves or tables try turning them into unique garlands. Gather your Christmas cards and long lengths of inexpensive Christmas ribbon. Staple the cards to the ribbon and hang your creation anywhere you’d place garland, such as around a fireplace, in doorways or along banisters. The best part of using card as Christmas decorations is that they’re free and you are reusing paper products and being environmentally friendly.

Adding a touch of holiday cheer to your home doesn’t have to take hours of planning and preparation. If you're pressed for time, you can use a few of these quick and easy shortcuts to add holiday pizazz to your house without spending hours to do so. That leaves more time for baking, wrapping, and enjoying your children and grandchildren! After all, isn't that what the holidays are all about?



Marcia Chumbley lives in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents web site at http://www.faithfulgrannies.com and Work At Home Moms and Divas Online http://www.workathomedivasonline.com. Bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together while providing FREE Advertising Networking and Resources, while balancing the work at home experience.