Christmas Decorating Made Easy And Inexpensive

You can simlify Holiday decorating with these unique ideas that take just minutes from start to merry finish.

 Small gifts wrapped in papers and tagged with numbers can mark the days until Christmas. Display the gifts, along with ornaments, on stacked cake stands.

 Make your living room Christmas - ready with little work: Swap pillows, throws, and lampshades for ones filled with color. Hang wreaths over mirrors, nestle colorful glass balls inside plant containers, and suspend ornaments from the curtain rods. To make the tree an attention getter, trim it with red balls, white and pink doves, some silver garlands, and gold starburst ornaments.

 From blush to scarlet, a lush color scheme in shades of pink and red comes alive with white and silver accents. Patterns add interest - toile on the sofa can be offset by a striped rug underfoot. Deep red pillows and lampshades keep patterns from becoming too busy.

 Hang strands of red ball garlands from curtain clips to add instant flair to white window panels. If you have young kids at home, swag garlands along the top of the curtain rods to keep them out of reach.

 Story time. Display holiday books such as The Night Before Christmas as a sentimental reminder of past Christmases.

Oh, Christmas tree. Instead of a candle, place tiny evergreen or artificial trees in silver lanterns. Dust the tree and glass sides with artificial snow.

Frame family photographs with wrapping papers. Remove the frame's back and slide wrapping paper and photo into place.

Holiday greening. Add shimmer to a room by hanging a ready made holiday wreath in front of a mirror, and suspend a shapely ornament in the center with a ribbon.

Packed for travel. Bags in Christmas colors make it easy and fun to deliver gifts to friends and family. Or, instead of scattering gifts under the tree, gather up bundles in cheery totes.

. You've got Mail. Slip just arrived holiday cards inside glass canisters. Safeguard favorite vintage tree ornaments by tucking them inside another canister.