Use moderation when decorating for holiday

"Less is more." Robert Browning (1812-1889), English poet and playwright

OK, it's holiday decorating time again and, once again, I have something to say. Imagine that. And, we do love our holiday decorations. Some of us have more Christmas decorations than we do actual decorations (accessories) that we leave out year-round.

We need to use some restraint in holiday decorations, just as we do in decorating for every day -- because in reality, that's what we're doing. We have a theme -- not Tuscan, country French or retro -- but holiday. So, you should do it the same way.

Ideally, when you bring out all of your holiday treasures, you should put some of your everyday decorations away. Adding your children's handmade candles, the cute elves you bought last year on sale, all of the musical Santas and other holiday stuff to your existing "decorated" room can make it look more like "Christmas Vacation" than Architectural Digest. And when you have so many things out, you can't appreciate any of them. In this case, less is definitely better. I have trouble with this one, too, because I enjoy my house and things in it so much, I don't want to remove any of them. But I do try.

I know there are those who disagree with me and think, oh, it's Christmas, so let's just go all out -- and that's fine. It is only temporary, but still, wouldn't you rather that your special things make more of an impact? If you put your holiday décor on top of your everyday stuff, it's sort of like putting a party dress on over your jeans. Think about that.

Here are a few suggestions for enjoying your holiday decorations and not feel like you're living in a gift store.

A friend of mine mentioned this one day and it makes so much sense. Most of us have holiday dishes, and some of my friends say, well I don't entertain that much, so I just don't bring them out. Wrong. If you have them, use them -- even if only for your own enjoyment. Replace your everyday dishes and serving pieces with your holiday ones. Put your everyday ones in the garage or back closet, wherever you had holiday stuff. When the holidays are over, just switch them out again. Just having that little dish or bowl with the holiday motif will brighten your day, even if you are just eating your instant oatmeal over the sink.

If you hang up holiday cards, pictures or other wall decorations, take down your existing artwork and replace it for the season. Again, after the holidays, put your regular things back up. You will find, too, that if you do this, it's fun to have the change and not have everything packed on top of each other. When you put your regular artwork back on the walls, it will be like welcoming back old friends.

Edit the tabletop decorations. Since most of us do more entertaining during the holidays, your guests need a place to put drinks and food, so don't take up every square inch with snowmen and angels.

We all love candles, and the more decorations you have around them, the greater the chance of setting something on fire. Be careful to leave plenty of room over and around them.

Always remember to consider safety first, regardless of how much or how little you put out for the holidays.

Welcome your holiday treasures onto a clean palette -- they will sparkle all the more for it.

So, from my house to yours, best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe holiday. And remember, there are no decorating police (what?), so however you choose to deck your halls, go for it. In some cases less may be more, but sometimes it's just less!

Carolyn Muse Grant is a design consultant, expert home stager and creator of beautiful spaces. Questions can be sent to her at creativemuse@cox.net.