Christmas Countdown Day 14: Decor Declutter!

Posted by Cynthia Townley Ewer on November, 8, 2008

Coming to the end of Reality Check week, we tidy up loose ends today, declutter before we decorate, and consider whose house for the holidays.

to do today: declutter before you decorate

The decoration tide sweeps in with September's falling leaves, breaks against Halloween's goblins, and is streaming full-force by Thanksgiving's turkeys and pilgrims. Come Christmas, the average home is drowning in tinsel.

Do your visual field a favor: declutter tables, counters, mantels, shelves and the entire surface of your refrigerator before you decorate.

Using a sturdy box, corral all knick-knacks, photos, decorative items and mismatched socks, and stow the box in a dark closet. Don't even bother to sort your stuff--you'll do that when you return the items after the holidays.

Clear surfaces make a house look clean, and your decorations will shine in solitary splendor when they don't have to compete with ashtrays in the shape of armadillos.

Do your eyes a favor and store those knick-knacks . . . and get ready for Christmas!

reality check week wrap-up:

Perform a tabletop check. Inventory serving pieces, table linens, china and flatware. Will you be ready to set a holiday table?

Schedule family hair appointments.

to read today ...

Family ties! The holidays can strain them to the breaking point. Judging from my e-mail, what's the single biggest holiday family conundrum? "Whose home for the holidays?" wins, hands down.

How do you negotiate the "whose house?" dilemma? It's vexing enough for new young families with a child or two; add effects of divorce and remarriage and the debate can come to resemble the floor of the United Nations!

Whether you long to stay home with your babies, or gather all your children and grandchildren under one roof, we've got help:

Whose House For The Holidays?

today's recipe ...

Pumpkin-Nut Bread captures the taste of the season. This generous recipe makes three large loaves or 6 to 9 smaller ones. Make ahead and freeze for a quick kitchen gift!

Pumpkin-Nut Bread