Christmas and Holiday Decorating Tips

Christmas and Holiday DECORATING TIPS PICK A THEME & COLOR SCHEME This makes shopping easier, and pulls your home together White and silver look clean and modern, and are appropriate all winter since they are not holiday-specific Red, gold, and brown can create a warmer feel Invest in pieces you'll be happy to revisit year after year ORGANIZE YOUR DECORATIONS Avoid clutter - pick a few quality pieces to create focal points in each room Before purchasing decorations, make sure you have storage space and containers to keep them organized and out of sight 11 months of the year CONSIDER INTERACTIVE DECORATIONS Display the holiday cards you receive on the mantel or strung along a clothesline 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Get the whole family involved in decorating 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Create your own advent calendar by filling buckets, bags, or jars with fun surprises for your fạmily or friends to open each day KEEP YOUR LIGHTS SHINING BRIGHT Check your strings of Christmas lights for cracks or fraying wires-these can be a fire or shock hazard Inspect faulty strings of lights to determine if the problem lies in a blown fusę, a burned-out bulb, or elsewhere A store-bought bulb-testing tool can save you time and money in the long run Consider storing lights on a garden hose holder or wrapped around notched cardboard to avoid tangles Store lights in a dry location away from children and pets Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet for outdoor lights-this will shut down the circuit in case of overcurrent PUT SAFETY FIRST! Place your tree a safe distance from any open flames, heating ducts, and radiators Make sure decorations don't block doorways Watch for low-hanging toxiç decorations or cords when kids or pets are present Water the tree reguļarly to decrease flammability PROVIDED BY Her. www.herhomerepair.com SOURCES: http://www.myhomelifemag.com/2012/11/27/christmas countdown/ http://www.myhomelifemag.com/2012/12/26/undecking-the halls/ http://www.myhomelifemag.com/2013/01/13/christmas-light-safety/ http://www.hgtv.com/holidays-and-entertaining/10-quick holiday-decorating-tips/index.html http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/16-tips-to-avoid-a-holi- day-decorating-disaster-this-season/pictures/index.html http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/holidays-occa- sions/christmas-decorating-ideas-00400000059442/ http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/electri- cal-plumbing/how-to-fix-a-string-of-christmas-lights-14774047 http://www.familyhandyman.com/electrical/home-lighting/how-to-repair-christmas-tree-lights/view-all