Decorating your home for the Christmas holidays can be exhilarating, but it can also be difficult to do it "just right" so that your home doesn't look gaudy or tasteless.
To create an atmosphere of sophistication and grace, you really should have a plan before you begin.
First, you need to decide on a theme, such as "The Nutcracker", "Santa's Workshop" or "An Old Fashioned Christmas", and build on that.
Most people simply collect their decorations over the years and put them up at random.
Instead, try to think like a store's visual designer by picturing how you would like your home to look, then incorporate as many of the decorations you currently have as best you can.
You may find that many of the ornaments and decorations you have collected can be used, but it may be that you need to give away or store others.
Christmas decorations really should create an air of timeless elegance, but it is important to incorporate personal touches and mementos, as well.
Your "background" should include garlands of evergreens and holly, either live or artificial, around your home, especially on your mantelpieces and banisters.
Placing decorative greens and colorful candles on your tabletops also adds warmth to your home.
Next, add brightly colored ornaments nestled among the greens to add shine and interest.
Creating Christmas scenes such as the Nativity or a Christmas Village on tabletops or other larger flat surfaces will draw your guests to them.
You can also have "theme" areas in your home, such as Santa and his elves with a waiting sleigh and reindeer, a miniature "skating pond" using a mirror and artificial evergreen trees, or old-fashioned Christmas carolers with Christmas music playing.
If you have small children or animals, you do need to be careful where you place these things, especially if they are valuable or fragile.
Of course, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree is the key to the season, and it usually is the focal point of your decorating.
Whether you have a fresh-cut tree or an artificial tree, you must first place the lights on it.
There are incredibly real artificial trees on the market today, and many of them come with lights already on them.
If you have a fresh tree, be sure the lights you use are labeled as safe for this purpose.
Most people use clear bulbs, but you may decide on multi-colored or even single-color bulbs to create a particular look.
Once the lights are on, you can wrap garlands of broad ribbon around it, or you can add red or silver bows, either large or small depending on your taste, to make the tree "pop".
Finally, place your ornaments evenly on the tree, trying to maintain your theme.
A spectacular Christmas dinner table is essential.
Begin with an elegant lace tablecloth and table linens, which are the foundation of creating a beautiful dining experience.
Use fresh flowers or create a small Christmas-theme centerpiece for the table, but be sure that it is not so tall that your guests can not see others at the table.
Add candles, either tall, elegant ones or several varied-sized ones, depending on your centerpiece.
White or ivory candles are classic and timeless, but you may want to add color through the candles, again depending on your centerpiece.
Use your finest china and silverware to create the most elegant experience for your dinner guests and make them feel very special.
Christmastime is a magical and wonderful time, and the way you decorate your home is one of the most powerful ways to make your holiday special.
Plan ahead, visualize the way you want your home to look, and pay close attention to the "little things" to create your special memories.