Published:
04/19/2011 04:59pm
Holiday Wishes
What are you wishing for this holiday season...
A gorgeous tree trimmed from top to bottom, a festive wreath to welcome your guests, a manger scene gracing the coffee table reflecting the meaning of the season, dazzling garlands on the mantle abundant with Christmas greens, floral, and berries, a dining table set with your Christmas dishes surrounded by a huge holiday feast, handmade stockings for each family member, perfect for everyone gifts beautifully wrapped and under the tree weeks before the big day, gingerbread scents wafting through the air, Christmas cards with the family portrait and glowing yearly letter in the mail, wonderful treats baked and handsomely packaged to deliver to neighbors and friends...are you overwhelmed yet?
Most of us have these images dancing in our heads along with sugar plums but few can manage to turn the vision into reality. With a few simple techniques and suggestions, you can have a beautifully decorated home in time to enjoy it and celebrate the season. Kathy Harrison and Becky McCraney, sisters and creators of Show Me Decorating want to share their designer secrets and take the pressure off of you.
Keep your tinsel out of a tangle with a pre-lit tree. It’s easy to assemble-shape and you’re ready to decorate. Permanent trees come in all sizes, styles and colors ready for the family to bring home from Kathy and Becky’s very own, Miss Cayce’s Christmas Store in Midland, Texas. If you’re not close to Midland, don’t fear you can download Show Me Decorating’s “Recipe for Holiday Decorating” App for your iPhone, iPad, or iTouch then the professionals will be right there with you every step of the way helping you decorate your tree.
Take a moment to think about trimming your tree. Where should you put your largest Christmas decoration? Do you want to compliment your room decor, use a theme such as Santa’s, or Snowmen or a more sophisticate tree trimmed in Champagne Wishes with a touch of Mink? Do you like traditional red and green? Then consider adding a touch of black and white or lime green to really make it pop this year. You can feature a collection of ornaments or use a mixture of special family favorites.
Ribbon is a key ingredient in giving your tree a distinct and finished look. By following the Show Me Decorating steps, you can tie fabulous bows with wired ribbon available in a wide assortment of textures, patterns, and colors. You’ll start at the top and place two bows back to back then continue down the tree in a diamond pattern.
Balls are next and will make a huge impact. You’ll need three sizes to give your tree depth and dimension to show your ornaments off. Start with the largest to smallest with the largest at the bottom, medium in the middle, and the smaller towards the top filling in your diamond pattern as you go. Hang these “background” balls inside the tree.
Now you’re ready to add the secret ingredient floral. Gorgeous poinsettias and glitter leaves will add a new twist to your tree and since they are permanent botanicals they will last all season. These new florals look so real that Martha Stewart would have to look twice. Following our technique, you fill in the diamond pattern left by the balls. Glitter says Christmas and is reminiscence of a snowy morning. If you are decorating to compliment your room’s color palette, a little bit of glitter will keep your Christmas from being flat and set Christmas decorations apart from everyday decorations. The holidays should have a special look. Gold glitter leaves go with most themes but also come in lime green, purple, red, silver, or bronze.
Next is the part everyone loves, hanging your ornaments. We love to use family treasures and even the handmade macaroni ornaments can find a place on your tree. Organization is key, so group like ornaments together such as Santa’s or by collection like crystal. You’ll want to place the largest on first continuing to the smallest. With ornaments, start at the top, then side to side, moving your way down, and around your tree
