Fresh garlands and wreaths are a quick and sure way to get your home smelling and looking like the winter holiday season, but if you have allergies or need something that will last longer than a week or two, artificial certainly will suffice. It is best to purchase winter greens that are simple and spruce them up yourself. For example, a garland or wreath can be dazzled up with ornaments that coordinate with the ones on your tree and changed out year to year, as your style progresses. Swags, wreaths and garlands can be placed on the mantle, wrapped around the stair banister and hung at the front door of your home or around mirrors in the home.

 
Most of us seem to focus on the exterior of our homes with lights and holiday props and while this is important too, the interior should not be forgotten. If you have chandeliers or hanging light fixtures, try adding small sprigs of greens and berries. If you have a hurricane on your coffee table, set it inside a wreath, and you will instantly spiff up the table. Kissing balls are another great way to add holiday cheer to a room. While all you really need is one, a cluster of them hung at varied heights, will create a more dramatic and romantic place to mingle.

 
Mantles are often the vocal point during the holidays, as people gather to warm up by the fire. In addition to a swag of greens, add in glass or metallic candle pillars at varying heights so the candlelight reflects and creates a warmer mood. Many times there are glass cylinder vases in the cupboards of our homes, simply dust them off and fill them with anything holiday related– from candy canes, ornaments to pinecones – and you will have a festive container to set on a shelf, the coffee table or as a centerpiece. If the container is large enough, set a candle inside first and then fill the items around, just be sure it’s not flammable! Bulbs, such as amaryllis and paperwhites, are classic winter flowers that can be grown indoors in a variety of containers such as glass, urns, or ceramic, providing the flexibility to incorporate them into your holiday home décor, whatever your style may be.

 
If guests are staying the weekend, purchase some holiday accent pillows for their room or throw them on the main sofa for all to see. Holiday hand towels are great for the kitchen and guest bath as well. These small touches will certainly make your guests feel welcome and fire up their holiday spirit.

 
By Christa Rose Falk/ love-inspire-create.blogspot.com

Sources: Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn