By Barb Manning
It’s December, and time for Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa decorations for the house and maybe even the yard. Thoughts of fall and winter holidays inspire childhood memories, of sitting under the Christmas tree, in a sea of wrapping paper, opening presents.
Making the House Festive
Venture into the basement, or up into the attic in search of last year’s holiday supplies. You likely have ornaments on hand that one family member or another is responsible for buying or making, as well as clay trinkets made during a grade school art project. Everyone loves family “heirloom” pieces spread around the house during festive celebrations. Bring new life to traditional holiday decorations by introducing new pieces in strategic places.
Pinterest is a great tool for seeking fresh ideas on Hanukkah menorahs and dreidels. If you have an interest in bringing Kwanzaa into your holiday decor, there are a number of online resources, including HGTV with details on corn-husk vases, unity cups and mkela.
If your holiday decorations are already spectacular, but the notion of taking them out and getting them ready for display is daunting; you may want to write the staff from C’est la Vie Design Boutique come to your house and to do some decorating for you. Staffers will come out, check your treasures, and then develop creative ways to use them, or suggest new choices to make your holiday pop. C’est la Vie has a number of distinctive, fanciful and creative accent pieces like Fraser fir garlands, bright shiny vases and floral arrangements.
Hunting for the Tree
If your family celebrates Christmas, you’ll need a tree. You can visit the Wheeler Christmas Tree Farm in Whitehouse, or Rick and Carl’s Christmas Tree Farm outside Bowling Green for freshly cut varieties of evergreens, including, firs, spruce, and pines. If you want to venture further, maybe make a day of it; take a trip to the Matthes Evergreen Farm in Ida, Michigan. The whole family can enjoy a wagon ride on this sprawling tree farm.
Ornaments for the Tree
Once you bring the tree home, do you use the same ornaments you use every year, or get creative? For those even slightly artistic, visit the Hands On Studio at Toledo Botanical Gardens to learn how to make ornaments using glass, clay, wood, or needle-felted wool. Classes are also available in card and gift making. The Hands On Studio hosts a number of one-session craft workshops on a variety of holiday-related themes.
Final Touches to Your Decor
The winter holidays can be a time for reuniting with friends you haven’t seen in awhile, or other family members with equally busy lives. Once you finish your holiday decorating for Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, consider making your home even more welcoming with fragrant aromas. Cinnamon cookies, pumpkin spice and sweet potato pies all suggest family and fun get-togethers. Also, aromatic diffusers and candles set the mood for your celebrations.
Whatever you do to celebrate the season, have fun and enjoy your family and friends, since that is what makes every occasion special and festive.
Whitehouse Christmas Tree Farm , wheelerfarms.com/christmas-tree-farm Rick & Carl’s Christmas Trees, bowlinggreenchristmastrees.com/tree-farm Matthes Evergreen Farm in Ida, Michigan, matthesevergreenfarm.com C’est La Vie, boutiquesylvania.com Hands On Studio at Toledo Botanical Gardens, toledogarden.org/education HGTV Kwanzaa decorating ideas, hgtv.com/search/kwanzaa
