Keeping the Castle » Christmas Decorating Ideas

Holiday Kitchen Pizzazz

Kathy Zengolewicz — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:58:42 +0000

I love the holidays, but when it comes to decorating it is sometimes overpowering. I do it anyway, but I am always trying to find shortcuts. When it comes to the kitchen I like to make it look as creative as possible simply because I spend a great deal of time there.

Kathy Zengolewicz

I know that the kitchen should remain practical, but there are a few things you can do to make it look as decorated as the rest of the house.

Start by putting up a cheap pair of curtains. They don’t have to have a Christmasy design, you can use a pair of plain white cafe curtains and add a red or green valance. Use some holiday knick knacks, from the dollar store, to line your window sill. Instead of using the window cling ons, this year I found some gel type window decorations and they look great and add just the right amount of color.

Put some greenery, live or fake, around on you kitchen table or countertops. Pick up a poinsettia plant or two and put that on a counter or table for a festive touch. A small live Christmas tree, the plant type, with a small red bow around the base looks great and doesn’t take up a lot of room.

These are just a few ideas for you to help make your surroundings pretty, but won’t put a strain on your wallet. If you find that these tips are a little too much, then opt for placing a few red bows, in strategic places, throughout the kitchen. You may even have a few ideas yourself, if so then go for it.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

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Holiday Entertaining Tips

Kathy Zengolewicz — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:31:49 +0000

The secret to creating a successful holiday party is organization. Keep the guest list to a minimum. Holiday parties are much nicer when you keep them on the intimate side, that is unless you have a huge family in which case just do the best you can.

Kathy Zengolewicz

If the crowd is small you can do a sit down, but for a medium or large crowd it’s much better to do a buffet style meal. Set your table accordingly. Remember, you don’t have to invite everyone to a single party. You can plan several small get togethers as long as you keep the menu light and inexpensive.

When you plan your menu, choose something that your guests will enjoy, but not something that will keep you chained to the kitchen. Choose some dishes that you can make ahead of time. You want to enjoy the festivities as well.

You can set up a buffet table with the main dishes and a smaller side table with desserts. A few different appetizers or dips are always a hit at my parties. For dessert, try some cookies and cream puffs. That way you will have something simple and something a little more lavish.

You can use some holiday themed fabric to brighten the table. Place a few candles and greenery around the main dishes to give you table a festive look and smell. Make you home feel welcoming to your guests. Place small favors on or near the table and have your guests take one. It can be something small like a mug with a single envelope of hot chocolate inside. A little touch of hospitality can go a long way to making someone feel welcome.

Whichever way you decide to go, make it a memorable event, but don’t wear yourself out.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Holiday Safety Tips

Kathy Zengolewicz — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:52:01 +0000

Everyone is extremely busy at this time of year and we seem to get busier the closer we get to Christmas. I have a few safety tips for you and I hope that you will incorporate them into your daily routine/schedule during this hectic time of year.

Kathy Zengolewicz

For those of you who celebrate with live Christmas trees there are a few special fire safety precautions you need to take. When you are selecting your tree, make sure that is fresh. The needles on a fresh tree should be green and hard to pull back from the branches.

The needles should not break off if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be a little sticky to the touch. To check and see if your tree is fresh, bounce the tree trunk on the ground. If few needles fall off, then the tree is fresh and not considered a fire hazard.

When setting up your tree, do not place it near a heat source, including a fireplace. The heat will cause the tree to quickly dry out. A dry tree can be easily set aflame by heat or a spark. Don’t put the tree up too early, it shouldn’t be up longer than 2 weeks. Keep the tree watered at all times.

Contact your local government to see what steps you need to take to dispose of your tree properly. Most cities or townships pick up discarded trees on specific days, different from your regular trash pick up day.

If you are using an artificial tree, make sure that it is flame retardant. Never use candles on or around your tree. Inspect your holiday lights yearly for frayed wires or broken or cracked sockets. Only use lights that are UL approved. Do not over load electrical sockets. Use only nonflammable decorations.

Take the time to make your holidays happy and safe.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon.

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Your Very First Tree

SP Bragg — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:31:37 +0000

I was chatting with a few friends about this dilemma… it’s the couple’s very first Christmas, and there is very little money available for a Christmas tree. She wanted to know how one could decorate on a very limited budget. I remember how Mom and Dad decorated our tree when we were kids, but I want to hear from you guys. How would you decorate?? And don’t stop at the tree… if you have ideas for decorating anywhere in the house, leave a comment. We can all use a few new ideas.

And does anyone do the ceiling decorations anymore?? My Mom always decorated our living room with tinsel and crepe paper… and then people seemed to stop doing it??

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Your Front Door During the Holidays

SP Bragg — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:47:12 +0000

I pretty much liked our front door until I saw this one. Ours is a golden oak color with a white poinsettia wreath. If the wind ever stops howling, I will take a photo of it. On second thought… now after seeing this one, I’m not so sure that I want to. Suddenly I have this urge to paint our front door bright red and hang a natural wreath. This one is gorgeous. And if I’m not mistaken, it looks to have lights embedded. I like it even more now!! I am picturing tons of tiny white lights twinkling their holiday greetings to the neighborhood!!

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White Velvet Sofa Anyone??

SP Bragg — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:20:30 +0000

If you are in need of a drop dead gorgeous sofa, I think this velvet one offered over at Neiman Marcus would pretty much fit the bill, but the reason I’m showing this to you is because of something that I heard on TV this morning. If you are bored with your sofa, they actually mentioned having one of those long pillows made. I had never heard of such a thing, but she did say that the sofa would have to be deep. She went on to say that another easy way to freshen up the look of a sofa is with throws! And the ones pictured here are gorgeous. So, there are your choices… simply buy what you see or pick up a few pretty throws and completely change the look of what you already own!

Photo Credit: Neiman Marcus

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Decorating Your Coffee Table for Christmas

SP Bragg — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:46:06 +0000

I am doing my best to keep EVERYTHING off the coffee table, but that doesn’t apply to Christmas. I really want a nice centerpiece and this certainly looks Christmasy to me! What do you think?? And, what is sitting on your coffee table at the moment??

And just in case you can’t find something as gorgeous as this, you could break it down into manageable pieces. Start with the wreath and then find a fat candle and a hurricane lamp/ globe… I think that’s what it’s called.

And just in case you are not up for fighting the crowds today I have a little help for you. Christmas Music at the Castle .

*I was planning on hitting the mall today, but after two Root Canals yesterday, the freezing is coming out this morning and I’m hurting just a wee little bit. I’m going to curl up with something hot and some Christmas music. It’s never too early in my opinion!

Photo Credit: Bealls which happens to be one of my all time favorite stores at Christmas time!

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