(ARA) - Temperatures are dropping and snowflakes are falling around the country. You know what comes next: the holidays. Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa will be here before you know it, and now is the time to get in the spirit by decorating.

According to new research from Unity Marketing, a consulting firm that specializes in consumer insights, the average American household will spend about $115 on holiday decorations this year. That amount of money may get you an ornament or two at a department store, but it’s enough to transform your entire home into a winter wonderland if you shop at an arts and crafts store like Michaels.

Familiar sounds of the holidays often get shut out while we’re keeping warm inside. Bring in the sounds of sleigh bells, the smell of pine trees, and the shimmering magic of snowfall as you decorate your home for the season. And it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Many arts and crafts stores offer all the supplies as well as ideas to create and personalize seasonal décor just perfect for your home.

* Inside Decorating

The Christmas tree is the center of most yuletide celebrations. “With a little imagination and addition of simple touches, a beautiful tree that captures your family’s personal style does not require a lot of money or time” says Laura Byrne, Director of Marketing at Michaels Arts and Crafts Stores. The traditional garland, lights, and ornaments now come in a variety of themes and styles to match any décor from contemporary to homespun.

Personalized ornaments are a big trend, allowing you to accent your tree with copies of favorite family photographs, names or dates as a wonderful way to remember past holidays. Nestling smaller boxes wrapped in glistening paper and sparkling ribbon provides a new look each year for just pennies. Add elements of nature with seed heads, dried flowers, pinecones and berries found at your home or at your favorite craft store. Placed throughout the tree, these nature-inspired ornaments create a warm holiday feeling.

Once the tree is decorated, an easy piece of décor you can create yourself is a holiday wreath, Adding instant holiday cheer, wreaths look great on a door, over a mantle or surrounding a candle on a table. Select from evergreen, grapevine or Styrofoam wreaths swags and garlands and then add decorative accents, like festive ribbon, holiday picks and pinecones. Incorporate ornaments and mementos that showcase your family’s traditions or favorite activities for that personal touch. Sound intimidating? Says Byrne, “Beautiful wreaths may seem complicated but are actually one of the easiest projects for crafters to tackle with satisfying results. To experience the process first-hand, check out www.michaels.com/easywreaths to view step-by-step instructions to complete your own.”

Swags and garlands are standard dressing for windows or staircase banisters; adding strings of holiday lights will really bring them to life. White icicle lights and strings of colored lights look great inside, and add a festive feel to any room. Add miniature twist-tie ornament balls for sparkle and interest.

One of the easiest ways to add holiday accents to your home is to use ribbon. Available in a variety of colors, textures, and widths, ribbon adds a touch of Christmas to décor pieces already in your home without adding much to your budget. Tie bows around candlesticks, mirrors, chairs and anything else you feel could use a little extra holiday sparkle.

If you’re looking to start a holiday tradition, how about selecting pieces for a holiday village display? The Christmas Village Collection from Lemax features an ever-expanding assortment of enchanting lighted houses, accessories, and table pieces. Whether you are a serious collector who has devoted years to building lavish displays, a casual holiday decorator, or a new collector, the Lemax Village Collection offers fun for the whole family. You just need a few pieces to create an inviting entry way or to dress the dining room buffet for the season.

* Outside Decorating

The outside of your home offers another place to express your holiday excitement. Create a winter wonderland with lights and lighted holiday figures. Stretched along a pathway, hanging from the edges of the roof or strung around bushes and trees, lights not only brighten, but give magical color to a dark sky. A great touch for holiday parties is to light the pathway leading to your door with luminaries. Not only does this create a magical glow, but it also provides safety for guests joining your holiday soiree.

There is something inspiring about seeing your neighborhood come alive with Christmas lights on frosty December evenings. If you desire something out of the North Pole, place animated deer pulling Santa’s sleigh in your front yard. Add some pre-lit outdoor trees and create a view the whole neighborhood can enjoy. “Outdoor decorating is a much less daunting task now that a variety of trees and decorations come pre-lit. With a little imagination, anybody can create an impressive display without breaking the budget!” says Byrne.

Wrap It Up!

Brimming with excitement and surprise, Christmas presents are a delight to wake up to for children of all ages. Double your holiday pleasure by making the wrapping as creative as the gift itself. Many people choose to wrap all their gifts in the same paper. Try this with a twist and use a different embellishment on each package, like ribbon, holiday picks and personalized ornaments. Scrapbooking embellishments, like charms, tags and fibers make for great gift toppers and most art and crafts stores carry these items in holiday colors and shapes.

Family Fun

Since the holidays are all about having fun and spending time with friends and family, this is a good time of year to come up with projects you can do together. Children of all ages can make their own ornaments to hang from the tree. Most arts and crafts stores sell glass balls that can be decorated with paint and stickers; ceramic and wood ornaments that can be painted and embellished with glitter, mistletoe, berries and the like; and for younger kids, foam ornament kits that come with all the decorative accents they need to create impressive works of art.

The holiday season is also a popular time of year to bake cookies together, make candy, and create gingerbread houses. Not only is this a great way to spend time with the kids, but it helps the kids feel they are making a contribution to the festivities. Making and giving holiday gifts from the heart is a great way to spread the holiday spirit.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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