Five “Welcome to Our Home” Holiday Decorating Tips

1. Door wreaths welcome all to your home and set the stage for celebrating. Make a simple wreath to hang on your front door with Thanksgiving colors–brown, russet, olive green. Use tree branches from your garden; attach a few gourds, nuts, raffia, and ribbons.

2. Place a gorgeous mum by your front door. You can plant it later and get flowers next Thanksgiving to use inside. It just takes one bright spot near your front door to attract the eye of arriving guests.

3. Wrap your front door with gift wrap appropriate to Thanksgiving.

4. Make a “welcome to our home” banner. Add your ribbons, raffia, and fall leaves.

5. Group vines, pumpkins, and mums for display impact near the front entrance. Adjust the vines to add height and movement.

Fall Leaves make great interior and exterior decorations. Be sure to hose off any bugs!

Five Holiday Decorating Tips for Your Home’s Interior

1. Display vegetables and mini pumpkins on a tray. Fill in any gaps with fall leaves, moss, raffia, or wheat. If orange clashes with your home’s interior, use green apples and spray paint the mini-pumpkins your colors.

2. Tie ribbons and raffia around your candle bases and around your floral arrangements.

3. Set fall-color leaves under your decorations. Safety Tip: Keep leaves separated from melting candle wax.

4. Extend your flower arrangements with fall tree branches. Just one flower package makes a huge impact when you divide and spread it around.

5. Use copper, bronze, and gold spray paint to dress up plain gourds. Fill a glass or crystal bowl with the gourds, oranges, and nuts.

Did I already mention gorgeous red, golden leaves? Here’s another way to add fall color: Place the leaves in your green potted-plants.

One beautiful way to kick off your holiday season: Wrap tiny gifts in gold foil; top off with brown and russet ribbons, and place the gifts on the dinner plate. Your table will look fabulous and your guests will love the thought.

Creating your own garden stones is a new and fun way to beautify you garden and exercise your creative juices. Constructing your own garden stones will not only save you money, add more charm to the landscaping of the garden, but will also prove to be an enjoyable activity to do with the family on that lazy Sunday afternoon.

Due to the relative ease it takes to make the stones, people have not only made their own garden stepping stones, but they have found other uses for it as well. Pet lovers have made their own pet memorial garden stones. Not only does it include the name of their beloved pet,
sometimes even the picture of their pet is integrated into the stone.

Making your own decorative garden stones does not require creative genius. You just think of what Landscape stone type you would like to
create, and what materials you might need for it. It would be great to be mindful of the tone you have already set for your garden. Are you aiming for a classy, aesthetic feel? Or a funkier, out of the box touch?

Some materials that are great to use would be smooth pebbles, shiny stones, patio paints, pieces of colored glass and tiles, seashells, and big leaves. Even old household items can be used as décor, not only does it save you money, but it will also add a more earth-friendly feel to your personalized garden stones.

Once you have gathered your materials, think over how each décor should be applied on the stone. For stones and pebbles, lay them out on the garden stone 45 minutes after placing the mixture in the mold. Make sure not to press them in too deep so they will still show. Don’t overcrowd them as well. And bear in mind the comfort of your feet if you will be walking on them.Creating a mosaic tile or glass design may be more challenging but it is really rewarding. Some crafts stores also sell mosaic garden stone kits. These kits are already complete with cut out stained glass or tiles; all you have to do is apply them. Using patio paints will also be great for those who are naturally good at painting. Simple designs look just as appealing, so for those who doubt their painting abilities, don’t hesitate to try and paint your own stepping stones.

Engraved garden stones are also quite popular. Remember how you used to scratch on a tree trunk to write your name? Well, this time around, engraving your name (and your husband’s and kids’), will give you that freedom. And will last you longer too! A more subtle touch would be to use your hand or foot prints.

A tip would be to search the Internet for pictures on personalized garden stones. Doing this will help start you up in generating your own ideas for your perfect garden stone!