Home for the holidays? Christmas is such a special time of year. It seems all-encompassing. Everything we think, say and do is somehow connected with the holidays.

If we work, we're trying to accommodate others in their quest for receiving whatever their needs from us are in time for Christmas.

Everything is a rush; purchasing gifts for family and friends, addressing that endless list of Christmas cards, wrapping the gifts and decking the house with all that holly.

Wishing for a few extra hours in each day? Not a good idea — because those hours would just be filled with more work.

But after all is said and done, a house full of beautiful Christmas cheer is truly heart warming. There are so many places in a house that can be touched with Christmas decorations, if time and ambition are there, the outcome can be breathtaking.

The tree is, of course, of paramount importance.

Everyone has his or her own way of making it special. But decorating the rest of the house is where talent really shines through.

Wreaths, wreaths everywhere, not just the outside of the front door.

Try them on every door in the house — and on both sides.

How about those big, plush red ribbons? They look great everywhere, too.

Some doors can be adorned with the ribbons alone.

Red and green gingham ribbons can be fashioned into bows with long tails and attached to corners of pictures. Yes, any or all pictures hanging on the walls. Lace them with gold colored sheer ribbon and the look is even more attractive.

More of those same ribbons attached to the backs of dining chairs can make that formal setting even more inviting. Make bigger bows out of the gingham and gold and attach them to the arms of sofas, love seats and lounge chairs.

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Shiny red, green or gold balls in crystal bowls adorn any table with charm. Try putting these balls in each wineglass in the china cabinet. Easy, yet quite effective.

Garland decked with bows, balls and snowflakes grace open doorways whimsically. How about snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and angels dangling from the chandelier?

Candles are a must but should be used with caution, of course. Bathrooms are a great place for candles, particularly scented ones and especially in the powder room that is mostly used by guests.

Don't forget to decorate the laundry room, even just a little. It might make that chore a bit more pleasant for a few weeks.

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