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By Brenda Hyde
http://www.seedsofknowledge.com
Decorating for Christmas doesn't
have to be complicated or expensive. The simple
touches are often the most elegant and the ones that
receive the most comments. Here are some decorating
ideas for outside your home which will help your
family and your neighbors stay in the Christmas
Spirit throughout the hustle and bustle of the
holidays.
Gentle Green
Think of green as your base; it's
deep, soft and comforting. You don't have to buy the
most expensive fresh garland to accomplish a festive
country look. The trimmings from the bottom of your
Christmas tree are perfect, and often if you see
"scrap" evergreen laying around where you buy your
tree they will give it to you. Let's go over ideas
for the "scrap" greens first:
*Fill wicker baskets and place on
your porch.
*If you have window, porch or deck
boxes that usually have flowers in, you can place
greens in those boxes now.
*Many of us have old fashioned
milk cans on the porch already, and they are perfect
for placing a few greens.
*Large clay flower pots can also
be placed along walks, on the porch or in an entry
way.
If you live where all greens are
expensive or not available don't forget that even
inexpensive artificial greens look great outside or
inside once they are decorated. Here are some ideas
for garland:
*Tack on around windows with
tacks.
*wrap around porch or deck
railings
*Decorate mailbox poles
*Wrap around split rail fence or
any fence you have in front of your home.
Inexpensive garland is great; mine
has lasted two seasons so far through snow and rain!
Festive Color and Accents
Now we have our base all set, how
do we accent? Everyone has their favorite colors but
often the natural accents are the most elegant.
Small white lights strung on top of your greens are
beautiful, especially on the porch railings and the
fence. Large red bows, or even bows made out of red
gingham for a country theme can accent the green.
Here are some things you can place
in your pots, window boxes or baskets with the
greens:
*Pinecones; natural, or sprayed
with "snow" for a neat look.
*Red berries and interesting
looking branches, which can also be sprayed white.
*Classic red and green ball
ornaments
*teasel or other dried
wildflowers; again natural or sprayed.
Other Accents
Do not forget the grapevine wreaths! If you look
around you can find all sizes of undecorated wreaths
for very reasonable prices. You can also use willow
or vines and shape your own, tie with wire and set
them to dry ahead of time. For outside, a wreath
with some green tucked in the vine and a red bow is
all that is necessary to add a festive touch. Place
them on fences, above a garage or on either side of
a garage door, and several on your porch.
White lights are inexpensive and
can be place around windows, on a wreath or tacked
along arches, if you have them, on your house or
porch. Again, accent the tops of window with bows
and you have turned your house into a festive
Christmas wonderland.
A Final Note
Remember, if you have children get
them involved. All of these accents I have mentioned
are hardy and not at all fragile. Decorating your
house for the holidays should be a family project
that will be remembered throughout your lives. Make
hot chocolate, snacks and put on some Christmas
music. Create those special memories in everything
you do for the holidays!
For more holiday crafts,
decorating and recipes visit Brenda at http://www.seedsofknowledge.com |
