Decorating Smart for the Holidays in the New Normal

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The holidays are fast approaching, albeit with a COVID cloud hanging over all of us. Shopping for loved ones this year seems to be an even more stressful task. As always, you want your home to look its best even if there’s less company. So what to do, if time is running out and your major decorating projects are still undone?
For one thing, do not attempt to begin a design project that may leave you in a disrupted or incomplete state. It’s better to put off a kitchen renovation or a whole house paint job until after the holiday season. Instead, devote yourself to a major clean-up project. Start with the entry foyer and move into the living room, dining room, kitchen and powder room areas (all highly visible visitor spaces). Throw out what is worn, put away or store (in labeled boxes) articles that make your rooms look overly cluttered or sloppy and donate or consign what you don’t use anymore. Remember, neatness counts! A restful, orderly room can have a new look with simple additions such as area rugs, throw pillows, new curtains and some interesting art.
Basic repairs should be a priority: leaky faucets, toilets that don’t work properly, fireplace flues that need cleaning, etc. Good lighting is also important.  Replace all blown out bulbs in lamps and fixtures.  See to it that your front porch is well lit and free of leaves or ice, so that no one is in danger of falling.
Holiday decorations are wonderful additions to a home and can usually transform a room into something special all by themselves. Do keep decorating for the holidays, it will give your family and you a lift even if less people get to see your handiwork. More may not be better. Remove some non-seasonal articles to make room for a proper holiday display. This showcasing can make inexpensive objects look grand and beautiful. Try to group holiday accessories as you might any other collectible. For example, your existing bookshelves may be the perfect place to display a whole Christmas village. Focus on staircases with decorative garlands and plants (if the steps are wide enough). Fireplaces can also be wonderfully dressed for the season with mantle covers, candles and stockings. Most of all, place your tree in an area for greatest enjoyment, leaving enough space for presents and people opening them! Think about rearranging the furniture just a bit for maximum use and effect.
Chanukah can be a holiday celebrated with festive displays, as well. Many families have large collections of menorahs from old and traditional, to contemporary, or homemade.  Judaic art collectibles are very popular and are available in specialty shops and department stores or of course, online.
And, here’s my recipe (from a “non-cook”) for a great holiday dinner. Pre-set the table with a lovely cloth and your best company or holiday dishes and accessories, in advance of the day. Then…
• Add some flat ribbon on your dining chairs (use metallic or holiday colors for a shimmer effect).
• Garnish by decorating the chandelier above the table with garlands or bows.
• Mix up some pretty holiday collectibles at each place setting (it’s a great conversation initiator).
• Spice up with pleasantly scented candles (make sure they’re safe) which can dress the table and other serving areas in the room.
• Sweeten the mood with holiday music and let it play softly in the background.
Finally, enjoy your family and friends! Let’s be grateful and mindful of them, keeping them and you “safe”. Zoom has brought families together who are far away or in the next town. No one needs to be alone for the holidays with modern technology. The beauty, warmth and safety of our home can be enjoyed by everyone. Be creative – be intelligently inclusive – then we can all be healthy in the new year. Happy Holidays to all!