| We all know that getting ready for the holidays | | | | days to come! |
| can be a very hectic time. There is so much to | | | | 4. Fill your home with Christmas Scents- Candles |
| think about. Family is coming in from out of town, | | | | are a wonderful way to create a festive |
| food has to be prepared, Christmas gifts need to | | | | atmosphere in your home. Look for peppermint, |
| be purchased and wrapped. Well here are a few | | | | gingerbread, cookie, pine, pumpkin and cinnamon |
| last-minute ways to prepare your home for the | | | | scents to add great holiday scents. Potpourri and |
| holidays. These tips should help you to budget | | | | Potpourri oil are also great ways to create scents |
| your time and get your last-minute decorating | | | | in the home. Put out a fresh bowl of a |
| completed without hassle. | | | | holiday-themed potpourri, or set a light-bulb ring on |
| 1. Set out your Christmas Stockings- Everyone in | | | | a lamp in your entryway to create some great |
| the family should have one. Great places to hang | | | | aromas. The ultimate way to make your home |
| them include on a fireplace mantle, or if you don't | | | | smell great is to bake! Fresh-baked cookies, pies, |
| have a fireplace, hang them on a stair railing, on | | | | and cakes always fill the home with the scents of |
| the top of an entertainment center or China | | | | Christmas! |
| Cabinet, or you could even hang them on the wall | | | | 5. Light up you Home!- Don't forget to put a |
| in a diagonal pattern. Stockings can be fun to | | | | dusk-to-dawn timer on your outdoor Christmas |
| decorate as well. This is a great activity for kids | | | | lights so the neighbors and passers-by can enjoy |
| and adults alike. What's even more fun is choosing | | | | your lights during the dark winter hours. You can |
| what to fill them with on Christmas Eve. Candy, | | | | also add festive lights to your interior for a fancy |
| small toys, accessories like gloves, hair clips, small | | | | Christmas party. In fact, when hosting a party, |
| jewelry and fruit are a great, inexpensive way to | | | | try to keep the room lights low and illuminate the |
| create a gift that everyone loves to open. | | | | room with lots of white or colored Christmas |
| 2. Check you live wreaths and greenery- Be sure | | | | Lights! |
| that the needles aren't turning brown or falling off. | | | | 6. Don't forget about the reason for the season - |
| You may want to purchase new ones, or even | | | | A Nativity scene is a great way to remind guests |
| add fresh greenery to your existing ones to keep | | | | why we celebrate this time of Christmas! |
| them looking and smelling fresh. | | | | Getting ready for the holiday season can be a |
| 3. Water your Christmas Tree- this is the best | | | | time of great fun and excitement. We hope these |
| way to keep a live tree looking nice through the | | | | tips will help you get ready for those holiday |
| holiday season, and into the New Year. Be sure to | | | | parties and add great accents to your holiday |
| check the water level every day, and keep it full! | | | | décor. |
| You will have a beautiful, full and green tree for | | | | |