HOLIDAY decorating | entertaining
HOW TO DECORATE WITH NO PAIN FESTIVE IN A FLASH THROW A STRESS FREE PARTY
TREE HACKS TRICKS TO GET IT LOOKING GOOD
TREND PUT A DEER ON IT! 6 WAYS TO FRESHEN YOUR HOME WITH PLANTS
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WINTER 2015
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DENY Designs Allyson Johnson Deer And Aztec Duvet Cover $140, bedbathandbeyond.com
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Put a deer On It Deer always have been cool (just ask Santa!). Now, everyone else is taking notice with fun, stylish ways to bring the majestic wintry creature into your holiday home
Santa’s Sleigh Stocking Holders $40-50, Pottery Barn
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Reindeer Dinnerware The 6.5-inch plates come in two sets of four – Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen in one, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Vixen in the other. Sorry, Rudolph! $40, Pottery Barn
Studio 3B by Kyle Schuneman Milo Deer Head Square Throw Pillow $40, bedbathandbeyond.com
Dasher Pillow $40, Crate and Barrel
Sherpa Plaid Reindeer Pillow $35, Kohl’s
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Reindeer Zinc Pillar Holder $15, Crate and Barrel
Food Network™ Reindeer Salt and Pepper Shakers $14, Kohl’s
Reindeer Server $50, Crate and Barrel
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Make your home the holiday entertainment hot spot D
o you have a house full of people but feel as though you are out of holiday cheer? Transform your space into the ultimate gathering spot by upgrading the entertainment system with a brand new television.
Nowadays televisions are more than just a place to watch movies and shows – they’re a hub for all of your favourite activities.Want to surf the web? Turn on your Smart TV.Want to look at photos? Pop a slideshow up on the bigscreen.And, of course, if you simply want to watch movies and shows, you can still curl up and enjoy those too. But what should you look for when purchasing a new TV? Here are a few tips from Abraham Cherian, a home entertainment expert at LG Electronics Canada: Pick a screen that’s worth it. It’s an exciting time in the television industry and the latest TV technology, OLED, is truly revolutionary. LG’s new 4K OLED TVs deliver a bestin-class viewing experience on a curved screen, similar to those found in movie theatres. 4K resolution provides a crystal-clear picture that gives everyone in the room a perfect view, glare-free. Be smart and don’t miss out. Smart TV platforms – such as webOS – allow you to connect directly to your favourite web-based applications.This means that you don’t have to waste time flipping through dusty DVDs to find something to watch. Gather everyone around the TV and simply connect to Netflix and pick a classic flick straight off the screen. Design matters. If you stick with the trends, you won’t want a boxy, outdated television. Look for a slim design with a pure black screen and minimal bezel that complements your home’s décor. More information is available online at www.lg.com.
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Festive in a
Flash
Shake up your holiday decorating routine with these 6 easy do-it-yourself ideas By Carley Lintz CTW Features
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ecorating for the holidays is meant to help usher in the excitement and joy of the coming season. After years of the same routine, however, it can feel like you’re just going through the motions – put up the tree, string the lights, hang the stockings – over and over again. So shake things up this year! “Unlike the commitment you make to more permanent interior design, the holidays allow you to try on a ‘look’ just for the fun of it,” says interior designer David Stark, of David Stark Design and Production in Brooklyn, New York. “Your design does not need to last for years and years, and your décor can be silly or seriously elegant, but at worst, it’s a six-week commitment which alleviates a lot of design pressure! It's a great time to experiment and most of all, have fun!” Make traditional holiday décor fresh and new with these six creative and simple do-it-yourself decorating ideas: 1. Simply Merry centerpieces Create a cheerful centerpiece for your holiday table by simply Cont’d on page 9
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filling a bowl or vase with seasonal materials like cranberries. “Surrounded by candles, you have an instant and chic table centerpiece!” says Stark. You also can do the same with an assortment of colorful ornaments. It’s an easy way to use those extra ornaments that don’t fit on the tree. 2. New Spots for Lights While your tree is a natural home for a string of lights, that’s not the only area that can benefit from a little extra brightness. Add a touch of festive glow to any part of your home – along your mantle, wrapped around a wreath or incorporated into a centerpiece. 3. No Mantle? No problem Stockings can be hung with care just about anywhere. If you don’t have a fireplace, try hanging your stockings from the bannister, from a coat rack, the knobs of a dresser, back of a chair, or even the hooks of a hanging pot rack. 4. Quick & EasyTree Skirt Even details as small as the tree skirt can make a world of difference to your décor. Bring new life to a plaid blanket or hit up your local thrift shop for inexpensive fabrics to fashion a brand new spot to place bundles of beautifully wrapped gifts. 5. Put a Frame On It Make your favorite holiday saying or song lyrics the center of attention with stylish prints that you can frame and display. Design your own at home or check out Etsy shops for cute or
quirky prints. You also can reuse greeting cards from friends and family by simply placing them in an elegant frame. 6. A Touch of Greenery Fresh winter greenery is the perfect complement to any holiday décor scheme. “I love using nature. Garland, cedar branches, leaves, pine cones, fruits, and strands of cranberries all make great holiday décor,” says interior designer Sara Story, of Sara Story Design in New York. “Mixing nature, metallic finishes, lighting and glass creates a fantastic mix of materials and timeless, elegant holiday décor.” A sprig of spruce in a vase, a fresh fir garland wrapped around the staircase or branches laid of pine across a mantle – green goes with everything and brings a bit of the outdoors into your home. CTW Features
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How to throw a party
stress free
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ot much is as taxing as hosting a large group and things can derail fairly quickly. Stop, take a deep breath, and follow this simple guideline to holiday entertaining that is certain to be merry and bright: Set a budget: It’s easy to get spendy when everyone will be scrutinizing the details of your event, but make sure to set a realistic limit. If you plan early enough, there are many DIY projects to spruce up your home décor without breaking the bank. Head to Pinterest for inspiration and your local dollar store for supplies. Whatever your budget, you can throw a great party. Make a guest list and check it twice: Who you invite to break bread with is important to a successful event. Don’t feel that you have to invite everyone and their friends in order to be a good host. It’s hard not to invite your crazy Aunt Evelyn, but you can probably skip the gossipy co-worker. Fill their plates: Whether you’re having it catered or tackling the job yourself, the holidays are a time for old favourites, but don’t be afraid to throw in a contemporary spin. Just don’t try a new recipe the day of the party. Test the food out on your family first to avoid serving 50 collapsed soufflés. And make it easy on yourself by only serving nibbles. People love to graze, it’s easier to
make the dishes ahead of time and this gives you the opportunity to offer variety to a group of diverse eaters. Set the mood: Don’t forget an essential element to entertaining: music.The tunes at any event really help to set the ambience, but with everything else that you’re doing, don’t add the time-consuming task of building a perfect mix.“Make it easy on yourself,” says SiriusXM Canada.They advise to simply use your computer or mobile device to access commercial-free music to suit every taste through SiriusXM Internet Radio. From Christmas classics to Hanukkah favourites, keep the party going with hits from the past, current club anthems, or traditional tunes.You can listen free for a limited time at www.siriusxm.ca. When it’s all done: Make sure all your guests have a safe ride home by having a few cabs pre-ordered. Surprise them with an adult “goodie bag” to take along, which may include water bottles, ibuprofen, a recipe for a “hair of the dog” cocktail, and anything that shows you care. Get creative. And as the door closes behind the very last guest, you deserve to sit down, relax and toast yourself for throwing a sensational holiday bash.
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GOING GREEN
Tree Hacks
No tree comes picture-perfect straight from the farm. Use these tricks to make the star of the show shine a bit brighter ne of the allures of holiday decorating is being able to bring this season By Jill Jaracz CTW Features
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the outdoors inside. But when transforming your house into a winter wonderland, you may notice that a real tree may not live up to the perfect-looking specimen you have pictured in your imagination. Never fear though – these tricks can make your tree look like perfection.
Fresh Is Best
First off, where you get a tree sets the basis for how it holds up throughout the holiday season. The fresher the cut, the longer it will last. “That’s the biggest thing,” says Tim Gadreau, owner of Third Stone Farm in Barnstead, New Hampshire. Buying your tree from a tree lot may be fine, says Gadreau, but it may have been cut down several weeks before you purchase it. When a tree is cut that early, it already has started to dry out and will have problems keeping its needles. A freshly cut tree that you pick out from a tree farm won’t dry out as quickly. It helps if there have been a couple of good frosts, too, because the tree is sure to be dormant and its need for water decreases dramatically, Gadreau adds.
Bringing It Home
When you buy a real tree, you won’t know how well it fits into your house until you get it indoors. If the tree is too tall, first prune the branches, then trim the trunk, says Rhonda Bullington, owner and head designer of Loess Hills Floral Studio in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Before pruning branches, make sure you know where they extend before you trim them, to avoid accidentally creating holes in the tree. “Be judicious about pruning branches,” Gadreau says. “It’s easy to overdo it.” As for placement, put it where the family will enjoy it, says Christine Haught of Christine Haught Design in Shaker Heights, Ohio. If it’s visible from the outside, you don’t have to put a lot of ornaments on the side facing the window – lights and large orbs will do. “People will know there’s a tree, it has lights and looks pretty, but the small details like your grandmother’s ornament she passed down to you will go unnoticed,”
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Haught says. At home, be sure to keep your tree in a cool, dark place. “The sun is going to have a drying effect,” Gadreau says. Water is important for needle retention. To help feed your tree, also put a spoonful of sugar in the base every time you water, says Jennifir Huston, a floral designer at Louis Berry Florist in Boston.
Make It Taller, Make It Fuller
If the tree is too short, you can elevate your tree by covering an inexpensive table with a blanket and stacking presents around it, says Haught. You also can give the illusion of height by spraying branches with glitter, says Bullington. After putting the tree in its base, examine the branches. If your tree is more “A Charlie Brown Christmas” than Norman Rockwell Americana, you can add sprays of fake greenery from a craft store to achieve a fuller look. “I call it a ‘department store’ tree,” Bullington says. Place or wrap the sprays around the branches. Don’t be afraid to mix the types of greenery either. It doesn’t have to be the same type as your tree. While it may sound odd to put fake greenery into a live tree, it’s better than using freshly cut branches. “You can do that, but you’ve got to remember that they’re fresh cut branches and will die without water,” says Bullington, noting that cut branches will die within a couple of days.
Brighten It Up
To have a brightly glowing tree, don’t wrap the lights around it. Instead start at the tip of a branch and work your way to the base. Then work the lights back out on the next branch. This gives a nice depth to the tree, says Huston. Once lit, add the topper, then the ornaments. Start by putting on the large orbs first, putting them on the inside of the tree because they’re
heavier. “If an ornament makes a branch too heavy, you can use wire to tie branches together to get that perfect tree look,” Huston adds. If you have a collection of similarly themed ornaments, place those next, making sure to spread them around the tree so they don’t wind up on top of each other. “It’s just like making a piece of art,” says Haught. Add your sentimental ornaments last, then take a step back to assess your work. If you’ve got holes or areas with too many ornaments, spread them out more. Finally, add any garland or ribbons to finish off the look.
Step Back and Enjoy
Don’t forget the most important part, says Haught. “Get yourself an eggnog and relax and enjoy your beautiful masterpiece! Especially in the evening, with maybe a fire going and the lights dimmed. A real tree adds the dimension of scent, which deepens the Christmas memories you are making in your home,” she says. CTW Features
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HOLIDAY how-to
pain-free Holiday decorating By Laura Depta CTW Features
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he holidays are a time for celebration and togetherness, but the extensive preparation also can lead to stress or even pain and injury. From properly handling ornament boxes to safely scaling a ladder for the outdoor lighting display, remember to take proper precautions this holiday season. Physical Exertion
Some of the common causes for pain or injury around the holidays include retrieving decoration boxes, stringing lights and even spending too much time on your feet. When it comes to fetching items from storage, overexertion can lead to neck and arm injuries and lower back pain, according to Nicole
Kauppila, manager of occupational therapy services at Athletico Physical Therapy in Oak Brook, Illinois. She suggests lifting with the knees as opposed to bending at the back. “Make sure to move boxes close to you before lifting to protect the elbows and back,” Kauppila advises. “Make it a family affair by enlisting the help of others to carry heavy or awkward items.” Similar to heavy boxes are weighty shopping bags. Gift giving is one of the most rewarding parts of the season, but schlepping a half-dozen awkward, hefty bags can hurt the shoulders and back. “Consider bringing a fold-up shopping cart so you can load up your gifts and wheel them around,” advises Kauppila. “And forget the big, heavy satchel purse. Bring only what you need to make your purchases.” It may sound intuitive, but some people experience pain around the
From the tree to hanging lights and decorations to schlepping boxes of ornaments and décor around the house, the holidays can take quite a toll on your body. Here’s how to make sureyourholidaysare festive and injuryfree holidays simply from spending too much time on their feet — standing on a hard kitchen floor or hours spent walking around shopping, for instance. Kauppila recommends supportive footwear and regular breaks in the busy preparation schedule. Of course, one of the most likely causes of injury around the holidays is the old Clark Griswold lighting project. Christmas Decor by Watermark in Laurel, Maryland, offers many decorating services, but lighting is the most popular, according to owner Nick Leinbach. “Most people, I think, feel uneasy when they go up a ladder, when they begin to experience leaving the nice, firm ground,” Leinbach says. “That’s something that I think any homeowner is challenged with.” Leinbach recommends researching the ladder safety protocol from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and using caution Cont’d on page 18
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during inclement weather. “Poor weather would be any kind of moisture, really,” Leinbach says. “Cold temperatures are something that you deal with, but we don’t go up on roofs in ice conditions or wet weather.” Of course, hiring a professional for potentially dangerous tasks like roof lighting is always an option. Leinbach’s installation teams are properly trained in safety regulations and even wear specialized shoes for asphalt shingles. Effects of Stress
Physically demanding tasks aren’t the only causes of pain or injury around the holidays. Stress, too, can be a major factor, particularly when it comes to aches and pains. Dr. Todd Sinett, a New York chiropractor and author of “3 Weeks to a Better Back” (East End Press, 2015), says back pain actually results from three main factors: structural imbalance (such as poor positioning when lifting boxes), nutritional imbalance (overdosing on those holiday cookies) and stress. “The No. 1 factor for back pain is emotional outlook and stress,” Sinett says. “When is the highest stress? Unfortunately, it’s around the holidays.” To combat stress-related back pain, Sinett recommends
staying mindful of anxiety and even engaging in charity work. “One of the best ways to watch your stress levels is helping the less fortunate,” says Sinett. “Try and be appreciative throughout the holidays, and try and focus on what you have, and don’t focus on what you don’t have.” Ultimately, the best approach to staying pain and injuryfree this holiday season is to remain aware and exercise caution and common sense. If you are afraid of heights, hire someone to hang the outdoor lights. If your feet hurt, take a break. If you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to reflect upon and acknowledge the joy of the holiday season.
“Most people, I think, feel uneasy when they go up a ladder, when they begin to experience leaving the nice, firm ground. That’s something that I think any homeowner is challenged with.” — Nick Leinbach,, Christmas Decor by Watermark
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Keepin’ It Real 6 ways to freshen up your holiday home with plants
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By Cathy Cassata CTW Features
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hether you’re hosting a holiday party or expecting lots of drop-ins, adding some fresh and festive greenery to your décor may be all you need to spread holiday cheer. With these flower and plant arrangements your guests are sure to hum joyful jingles their entire stay.
Perfectly Picked Poinsettias A traditional plant of the season, poinsettias are always a good choice. However, think beyond the traditional colors for a unique twist, says Ramsey Jay Prince, wedding and event stylist at Ashland Addison Florist in Chicago. “You don’t have to settle for the same old red or white poinsettia in green foil,” he says.“You can pick ones that really go with your home décor.You can find ones with polka dots on them so they look like speckles, or ones with peachy cream or green.” Stephanie Elhayani, owner and creative designer of SEED Floral Couture in West Hollywood, California, agrees, adding that neutral-colored poinsettias can get you more mileage during the holidays.
“By going with non-red poinsettias, you can tie them into your Thanksgiving decor without feeling too Christmas-like and still keep them around for Christmas,” she says. Rethink Your Wreath If having a wreath is a must, Prince says ditch the circular ones and consider ones shaped like a triangle, square, or
even teardrop.“Depending on how creative you’re willing to go, [florists] can create wreaths in lots of different shapes,” he says. Evergreen mixes, magnolia leaves, and boxwood leaves are in-season options, notes Prince. For more flair, add glitter, berries, pinecones, and bows. Elhayani says magnolia and eucalyptus can last through both holidays.You can even keep it on the neutral side for Thanksgiving and then spruce it up afterwards with ornaments or other details to make it look more like Christmas,” she says. Get Artsy with Amaryllis While placing amaryllis in a holiday container can make an impact, Prince says consider placing them alone or grouped together around your house.“Because they have a big tall stalk with a big flower at the top, they’re kind of a showy presentation all on their own,” he says. Elhayani adds that they’re the perfect holiday plant since they come in peaches and reds.“They can easily be tied into your holiday décor no matter what else you have going on,” she says. Add Fresh Scents So much of the spirit of the season is spread through smells. Prince recommends incorporating scents with mini evergreens, pinecones, cypress plants and rosemary plants.“Rosemary plants have a pine tree look and a nice Cont’d on page 21 p20 • homestyle • winter 2015
scent to them. Plus, you can even add them to your holiday cooking,” he notes. Fit in Your Favorite Flower Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you have to forgo your favorite flower.“If you love roses or hydrangeas, you can easily spruce them up for the holidays with metallic or mercury festive vessels,” says Elhayani.“I’d look into adding ornaments or other décor too.” Wow on the Outside
Prince says refer to a florist.“Many professionals will even come to your home and give you ideas to spruce up your space.” CTW Features
If you’re looking to spread holiday cheer on the outside of
your home, Elhayani says narcissus plants (daffodils) are a good blooming plant for warmer climates, as are succulents no matter the time of year. However, she warns that poinsettias don’t do well outdoors.“They definitely should be kept indoors,” she says. Options abound, but if coming up with the perfect arrangement is adding more holiday stress to your life,
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Unexpected Holiday Décor How some of the most unusual items in your closet can turn into festive holiday décor pieces
1. Unusual Wreaths
A great wreath on your front door serves to wel-
come family and friends into your home for holiday festivities. A beautiful wreath can cost you a pretty penny, but luckily you can make one yourself out of just about any material – cotton balls, leftover tinsel, yarn, a feather boa or jingle bells – and a good hot glue gun.
2. Artsy Tape Designs
Bring out your creative side with a bit of painter’s tape and a lot of imagination. “We ‘draw’ on walls, mirrors, refrigerators, doors and more with the tape, writing holiday messages or drawing anything from Christmas trees to oversized candy canes,” says David Stark of David Stark Design. “Anything is
possible as long as you let your imagination run wild.” The tape doesn’t leave marks and comes in a wide variety of designs. You can find it at craft, hardware and online retailers.
3. Candy Creations
Got a sweet tooth? Incorporate some of those holiday treats
into your décor with a gumdrop garland, a candy cane chandelier or a tiny tree of peppermints. Get the kids involved in creating these tasty decorations for fun with the whole family. Overall it should be about creating a space that you enjoy. “Have fun and don't take it too seriously!” says New York interior designer Sara Story. “It should be enjoyable and not stressful. The holidays are about enjoying your loved ones.”
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—Carley Lintz
CTW Features
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