“
Home For The Holidays” November 21, 2012 A Lincoln Daily News Magazine Copyright 2012
12
Holiday decorating
G
one are seasons that brought delicate
spring blossoms, greening grasses,
shrubs and trees that leafed out into
summer glory. Done is the foliage that matured
into resounding fall color. The plants have all
gone to rest, save the evergreens, and they are
dull.
Outdoors, a demure subtling
of color has begun.
The days of November are
now leaning into the shortest
days of the year, and with the
arc of the sun dropping farther
to the south, even the indoors
grows gloomy.
Now comes the bleakest
time of the year.
Isn’t it interesting, though,
just as all the beauty of nature
begins to fade, our minds and
hearts turn inward also.
Now, come the holidays. A time of
reconnection, a focus on things spiritual, love
of family and friends, lots of gatherings with
lots of great food.
Outside and indoors, you can set a mood or
send a message to others by your decorations.
It doesn’t have to be a lot, or take lots of money,
or take a lot of time to create impact.
You can minimize your efforts by shopping
main stores and buying already-designed
materials.
You can save on costs by visiting thrift and
antique shops. You can also gather raw natural
materials from your yard, and some even from
the countryside.
Where to start? Look around
and decide where you would
like to draw attention. Choose
a color scheme and decide your
materials, artificial or living.
You may even have a special
interest that you would like to
incorporate, such as vintage
cars, collections, sports teams,
Victorian-era design, country,
glamorous or sophisticated.
This year’s hottest indoor and
outdoor decorating trend is the
use of LED lighting. Remember
it’s a dreary time of the year. So lighting can
have a big impact.
Blue lighting is dramatic,white sophisticated,
and multicolored is just plain happy.
Lighting does take electricity, but LEDs cost
less to use. There are various LED string lights
available this year. They cost a little more, so
many people are simply buying a few strands
each year.
At Ace Hardware in Lincoln, Danielle
Ketcham says that the mini lights look great
in garlands, wreaths and on trellises. Minis
or larger bulbs look great on trees and can be
used to outline a window, door, garage or along
gutters.
While you are out shopping, you might also
pick up replacement bulbs, timers, gutter clips,
extension cords and support wires. Ace has
everything along that line, Ketcham said.
link