5 easy ideas for holiday decor.

With Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve all in the month of December (not to mention National Maple Syrup Day and Human Right's Day), there is often a desire to create a festive setting in your living, family and dining rooms.  Here are some ideas to dress up your space for the holiday without taking anything from the style of your rooms.

1) Fill glass bowls, hurricane holders and other clear containers with flowers,candles, ornaments and seasonal items.  For Kwanzaa, you would fill them with colorful fruits and vegetables. Ornaments, in the same colors as your normal decor, adding a touch of blue and silver for Hanukkah and gold and green for Christmas, will create a festive table centerpiece. Silver, white, and black are dramatic and elegant for New Year's Eve.

2) Add some bling to your pillows. Pin on metal elements, old jewelry, ribbon, and even holiday decor to dress up the pillows you use everyday.
























3) String lights from banisters, over entryways and headboards. I often add greenery for drama.

4) Replace houseplants with seasonal versions for a quick update. 

5) Dress up your everyday dishes with simple items...a pine cone, greens, colorful napkins and other seasonal findings to create a custom table setting.

Holiday gift giving - "green" style

Having a tough time finding a gift for the holidays?  Try these eco-friendly ideas for just about anyone who needs a unique gift.

1) A gift basket. Fill one with Fair Trade coffees and chocolates. How about fresh fruits, jams and breads from the local Farmer's Market?  Try another with soaps, lotions and bamboo towels for a great spa gift.

2)  Recycled sail tote bags. It's been around the world!


3) Start a trend - give what you would love to use. A set of Caldrea house cleaning products is a wonderful way to give quality and fragrance in one package. 

4) Products made from recycled magazines or wrappers. This clutch purse is very eye-catching. 




5) Organic flannel sheets. Softer after each washing, the comfort and warmth is hard to beat!


6) Baby toys sewn and stuffed with organic cotton. Be sure they're the ones that are hand made and made in the U.S..

7) Soy or beeswax candles. For a fragrant, smoke-free candle that lasts longer than paraffin.


8) A great T-Shirt. Chemical free and organic cotton t-shirts stamped with sayings for a real statement!


9) Fabulous soaps. From Pangea Organics these are beautiful to look at, wonderfully fragrant, all natural and good for your skin.


10) Recycled ornaments.  A classic idea with a contemporary message. Even Crate & Barrel has caught on.