holiday decorating in style

from Hushh Magazine The Holiday Giftbook 2021

holidays on ice

www.halfbakedharvest.com

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries • 3 tangerines halved • 3 whole cinnamon sticks • 2 star anise gives a strong black licorice smell. (optional) • 1 teaspoon whole cloves • 1 inch piece fresh ginger • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean + 1 vanilla extract • 1 small branch fresh pine • 1 cup apple cider pomegranate or cranberry juice • water Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a medium size sauce pot. Fill the pot with water until it reaches 3/4 the way full. Place the pot on the stove and bring to a gentle boil.

Reduce the heat to a simmer, adding more water as needed. I let mine simmer for close to 4 hours and then let it cool over night and simmer again the next day. Just be sure to keep adding more water.

EAT, DRINK, ANDbe merry

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Holiday decorating inStyle By Deborah Bitton hipandhumblestyle.com

Each year when planning my Christmas decor, I like to start with a theme, so to speak. I don’t want to spend a lot so I go through the items I currently have, then see how I can incorporate it into a slightly new look. Really, it’s all about thinking outside the box and looking at your decor in a whole new way.

Decorating for Christmas can be expensive and on top of buying gifts kinda it can put a strain on your budget. So I like to peruse Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration, think about what I already have and how I can use it differently such as switch out rooms, recreate unique color combinations etc.. My theme for inside was to focus mostly on greenery. Adding natural elements like berries and pine cones gave more texture. I decided to keep things neutral this year using white and black to coordinate and pop against all the greenery. Gold accents are added in various places to add some shimmer and elegance.

To create this look I used faux garland and stems to create an elegant and chic display. Another element I really focused on was the ambiance of warm lighting with battery operated candles and twinkling lights. I have them all set on timers so they come on at the perfect time, and I love how cozy it makes our home feel.THE PORCH

This year I wanted a very naturals rustic look emphasizing on fresh greenery. I wanted it to look effortless and festive. I used a combination of greenery garland from Lynch Creek Farms, and the rest I foraged for in the woods near my home.

Using a few small nails in the trim, I wired the garland around the door way.

Then created easy urn arrangements by layering in the various greens around some birch sticks. Pinecones and berries finished it off.

ENTRYWAY/ FIREPLACE

Since our main level is open concept, it’s important for me to keep things consistent and more simple. Otherwise it will look too messy and cluttered. I usually pinpoint anchor spots, like the stairway, mantel and coffee table, then let the tree be the main focus. The ornaments are simple and in line with the color scheme. I added the black ornament balls of various sizes this year and love the effect they gave the flocked tree. This year we put our main tree in a box and I love how it looks so unique and grand.

For the sofa and coffee tables, I used wood vessels to create arrangements with greenery and a little sparkle with some vintage gold ornaments.

STAIRWAY

The stairway has always been my favorite place to decorate. I added beautiful greenery with twinkling lights and some picks of eucalyptus and berries. A small forest of flocked naked trees are so sweet all lit up on the landing. This area can be seen from all areas of the house and they add more twinkle and shine.