John A. Secoges, Secoges Photographics
Keep the holidays jolly when decorating your home by heeding the following tips from Joanne and Joel Frantz, owners of the decked-out Bern Township property featured in our December, 2018 issue.
- Give yourself enough time so it doesn’t become stressful. There is enough stress at that time of year; don’t add more or it can become a chore.
- Break decorating down into smaller components so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Work on one project at a time and then clean up as you go so you don’t end the day with your whole house a mess!
- Decide which tasks you would enjoy doing together if you’re working with someone else, and which are better to tackle alone. If you love decorating the hutch, work on that and let someone else who loves setting up the train take on that task.
- Make it fun. Have a day when you and your family can munch on some of your favorite snacks and beverages, or have pizza delivered! Play holiday music in the background.
- More is not always better. Sometimes simplicity makes a bigger statement.
- Use ordinary items you already have around the house and incorporate them into your decorating. For example, we add a sparkly gold ribbon to my red ice bucket and frame old holiday cards. Get out your old sled or ice skates. Open the lid of a chest and fill it with greens and glass balls.
- However you decorate, make it meaningful to you. Decide what traditions are important to you and use your decorations to enhance your holiday.
