If Santa loans out elves, one of his best is Francie Mishler, an interior designer at Jones Group Interiors in Akron, Ohio. She’s been decorating homes at Christmas for 16 years. “Christmas is a big deal, “ says Mishler. During this, the darkest part of the year, it’s important to bring light and beauty into everyday surroundings.

Amy Grisak’s Christmas Decorating Tips: Where to Start

Some anticipate the Christmas season with dreams (sugarplums?) and can’t wait to pull out the boxes of decorations. Still, others struggle with where to start. For those looking for inspiration, Mishler recommends perusing catalogs, such as Frontgate and Plow & Hearth. If they don’t show up in your mailbox try searching for them online. They carry everything from rustic to refined. You are sure to find something that sparks your imagination.

The Colors of Christmas

As early as the 14th century, red and green were associated with Christmas.  The green originally came in the form of holly leaves or evergreen boughs. Both remain green and pliable throughout the dark winter offering hope of new life. Prior to Christianity, the Romans brought in evergreen boughs for good luck. Originally, the bright red of the holly berries reminded Christians of the blood of Christ. Even without knowing the reasons behind it, the vibrant greens and reds bring the season to life.

It also makes sense to use gold at this time of the year when everything is dark and cold. Gold represents the sun and the renewal of life. Silver, with its twinkling shiny qualities, is also used to banish the darkness. In the 17th century, Germans used real candles on the Christmas tree, and for those wealthy enough, tinsel made from real silver! By the late 1950s, all silver Christmas trees hit the market in all of its garish glory. Glittering trees are still adored by many.

For those who wish to create more of a winter wonderland feel, you might wish to consider emphasizing blue and white. White is the color of purity — along with snow — and blue is a peaceful color of the heavens. Remember that Christmas is about the birth of Christ, and Mary, his mother, is often represented in blue robes.

The Perennial Decorating Question: Fake or Real?

Artificial trees come in various shapes, sizes, different colors, kinds of lights, and even flocking (to make the branches appear to be newly dusted with snow). Mishler says, “There are outstanding artificial trees today that look very nice. The sky’s the limit on what you can put on them.”

Mother’s Christmas Tree – photo by Amy Grisak

Choosing to Go with a Real Tree

For many who opt for a fresh tree, part of the rationale is the experience. Whether it’s taking the family to the Christmas tree lot, or tromping into the forest, every tree is a different, and sometimes a memorable, adventure.

Whether you come home with a perfect specimen or little Charlie Brown’s tree, there are some basic care tips. Saw an inch off the end of the trunk before placing it in the holder filled with water. Use a Christmas tree preservation additive. Some tree sellers give them to their customers. However, the real key is providing enough water to the tree. When first brought in the house, figure on a quart of water per inch of diameter for each day. This might slow over time, but it gives you an idea of how often you should check it.

The most environmentally friendly option is choosing a live tree. Granted, these are expensive and bulky with the root ball. But, there’s no hauling it off to the attic or curb. Instead, it becomes part of your permanent landscape.

Amy Grisak’s Christmas decorating tips: Trimming Tricks

Instead of simply hanging ornaments on the tree, Mishler recommends using evergreen or decorative floral picks. You can find them in an amazing array of choices. Another favorite suggestion, outfit the tree’s branches with berries, birds, or cones. These accents make decorating simple and elegant.

Use Floral Picks to Make Your Decor Pop – photo by Amy Grisak

In most of her trees these days, Mishler says, “They are no longer topped with a star. Instead, place a floral pick at that top. You don’t have to purchase picks at a craft store, either. They are easy to make using features such as feathers, pine cones, or dried flowers from your garden.” You’ll need to bind them to a 6 – 8-inch wooden stick for display.

For her own tree, Mishler says, “My tree is pretty earthy. I use cardinals and chickadees, and at the top I have feathers sticking out.”

Beyond the tree, she wraps roping around her staircase and places it on top of her mantle. Mishler is the queen of bow making, so large bows are used throughout her displays. She also likes to add a variety of decorations — ranging from Santas to classic ornaments — to add festive interest.

Decorate a Railing with Bows – photo by Amy Grisak

Brighten the Season

What brings everything together is the lights. “I put them on everything,” she says. “Lights are what make it.”

Illuminating the home has evolved rapidly since electric lights came on the scene. Granted, there’s nothing more soothing than watching the flicker of a real candle, but artificial candles are beautiful and completely safe. A classic look is placing candle-looking lights in the windows, often with a little greenery or bows at the base, creating a peaceful look from the inside, as well as from out.

Sam with a Candle – photo by Amy Grisak

Mishler loves the LED lights that range from large, brightly colored bulbs to the daintiest white stars. LED lights can be used everywhere. That’s because they stay cool to the touch and are very energy efficient.

“It’s so beautiful to come home to Christmas lights,” she says.

Amy Grisak’s Christmas decorating tips: Take it Outdoors

Having a festive exterior puts you in a good mood before you even step into the door.

Everyone appreciates the Griswold-level light shows. But, even if you don’t wish to set your display to music, it’s possible to create an eye-catching display with a few simple features.

If an outlet isn’t within reach, or you simply prefer a more environmentally friendly option, there are a wide array of solar powered lights. Just as with the indoor options, exterior LED lights are bright even on the darkest December night. Beyond the traditional constant lights, or even the blinking options, there are lights with motion, such as the meteor shower lights that appear to be shooting stars. Drape them in trees, even if they aren’t evergreens, in shrubbery, or along railings. There are also features such as lit globes and large stars.

One of the newest, although they’ve been around for a few years, are the laser projectors that created moving images on the side of your house or barn, on the garage door, or in a large tree. From snowflakes, sparkles, or Christmas scenes, it adds another dimension. And, don’t forget that they can be placed on a timer to make it fuss-free.

Outdoor Lighting

When using electrical lights outdoors, be certain they are approved for exterior use. Use a GFCI outlet to protect yourself from electrical shock, particularly when working in the often wet or snowy conditions of December. Keep junctions, where you plug one string of lights into another, safe by using cord protectors. And to keep them dry, add Christmas light covers.

Even with all of the beautiful glitz, don’t forget the basics. There’s nothing classier then an evergreen wreath on the door or simply lit trees in the front yard. Luminaries, which are typically paper bags filled with sand to weight them down, can be lit with either a real or battery-operated candles. Lined along the drive, the luminaries  are particularly beautiful.

You can also aid your feathered friends in the decorating process. String popcorn and cranberries together and then drape on the trees. Make ornaments with peanut butter and bird seed, or stringing apples, pears, raisins, or orange slices to entice your local varieties. This also adds interest to your decor for the daylight, especially with your trees naturally adorned with wildlife.

Stringing Popcorn and Cranberries for the Birds – photo by Amy Grisak

Decorating for the Christmas season is a deeply personal endeavor. The basic themes of light, peace, and family — including those beyond mere blood relations — are what flow through them all. So, grab that huge roll of ribbon and string of lights and make your space shine for the season.