The Twelve Days of Christmas
By Joan Whelen Waddell
Every year we struggle to balance the
demands of the holidays with everything
else on our plates. But some years are
harder than others. These tips give you
easy ways to decorate your homes.
Although I develeoped them for a group
of women with serious health problems,
they’re adaptable to all of us. So, in the
spirit of the season, I give you, my
readers, twelve simple steps to stress-
free, relaxing holiday decorating.
A Partridge in a Pear Tree (one theme in your family tree)
Like the partridge of the holiday song, you need to establish a THEME to
make your decorating cohesive. On DAY ONE, pick your theme and stick to it
— throughout your house. This simplifies the process. Some great themes to
use:
• A natural theme with greenery from your yard or ordered online. Pick three
types of greens and no more.
• A holiday color scheme that complements your fabrics and wall colors. If
your home has a scheme of reds, greens, golds and blues, for example, try
high octane versions of these colors such as citrus orange, chartreuse,
lemon yellow and royal blue. Use these colors for tree ornaments, in bowls
with greens, even for gift wrapping.
• Silver and Ice theme. Put family photos in silver frames and place on a silver
tray. Add silver votives and sprinkle a little snow for a great foyer display.
Carry the theme through with other reflective decorations such as mirrors
and silver ornaments.
Two Turtle Doves (two little projects)
Now that you have a theme, prioritize which two rooms to decorate so that the
project doesn’t get overwhelming. Usually it’s the two rooms where you spend
the most time or where the decor will be seen the most, like the foyer and den.
Three French Hens (three simple focal points)
Choose three things to decorate in each of those two rooms. Use the style of
your tree to determine the look for the other focal points.
• With a natural theme, find an unusual container to house a pot of Paper
whites. Fill it with moss and tie with raffia or ribbon.
• Take a favorite glass bowl and add cut greens. Nestle small ornament balls
in and out of the branches for a touch of color.
• Drape a fresh garland around a favorite painting.
Four Calling Birds (best friends)
It’s time to call in favors from your four best friends. When they say, “What
can I do?” have a list of small decorating projects to choose from:
• “Could you walk around my yard and cut some pretty greenery and pine
cones? I want to keep it simple so just pick out three types.”
• “I love Paper whites! It would be great if you could pick up several already
potted, maybe in three different sizes or stages of growth.”
• “I’m sticking with a simple theme this year — all silver. Can you look for
silver decorations like ornaments and garlands I could place around the
house?”
Five Golden Rings (of candle light)
Carry your theme into the dining room with candles. Things always look
better in candle light, so play it up. With everyone’s attention on the table,
there may be no need to decorate anything else.
• Start with five pillar candles in different heights in a color that best
coordinates with your theme.
• Center candles on an interesting tray and surround with greenery — stick in
small pine cones and holly berries for added texture and color.
• Have an armed chandelier? Weave the same greenery through its arms.
Top it off with festive shades.
Six Geese A-Laying (Six jewels)
We all have special Christmas mementoes we want to display. But pick six of
these “jewels” — and no more.
• If the mementoes are a collection, it’s more effective to group them together
— on a table top, in a bookcase, or side table.
• Have your children decorate their own special tree with handmade
ornaments. A family quilt makes a great tree skirt in a pinch.
• Groups of family Christmas photos can look integrated when you use
matching or blending frames — all silver, white, or red, for example.
Seven Swans A-Swimming (Seventh day sleeping)
After diligently working toward your goal for six days, it’s time for a break.
Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a cup of tea, newspaper, or much-needed
nap.
Eight Maids A-Milking (Eight “maids”-a-cleaning)
By this point, your house is probably in need of some cleaning. But have a
list of priorities, and forget the rest. Whether you enlist the help of family or
hire professionals, remember: they are there to do the work you don’t have
the time or energy for.
• If you have a porch light, have the glass cleaned so it will shine like a
beacon for visitors.
• Pick a few pieces of silver to have cleaned, and then actually USE them:
your coffee urn, a little bowl for chocolates, or a mint julep cup filled with holly
sprigs.
• Make sure the chandeliers are dusted and cleaned. Using a special crystal
spray-cleaner that drip-dries makes the task much easier.
Nine Ladies Dancing and Ten Lords A-Leaping
(Dancing gingerbread people)
Create a culinary theme for your kitchen that blends beautifully with natural
greens.
• Buy a fresh or artificial garland that has light, airy evergreen branches, pine
cones and berries on it, and find a window to hang it from.
• Order fresh gingerbread people, but ask the bakery to put a hole in the top
of each before baking. Thread with gingham ribbon, and string randomly
along the garland.
• Attach metal measuring spoons or other kitchen utensils between the
people to enhance the theme.
Eleven Pipers Piping
(Eleven Pipers, violinists and harpists on your favorite Christmas CDs)
There’s nothing like wonderful Christmas music to bring a home alive for the
holidays.
• Ask friends and family to bring a favorite Christmas CD when
visiting. Add the ones you like to your wish list for purchasing. Ordering from
the internet makes it even easier.
• A CD changer is a great way to get a wide variety of music without ever
having to get out of your chair.
Twelve Drummers Drumming (Twelve bits of decorating advice)
1. Create a theme.
2. Prioritize two rooms to decorate.
3. Pick three simple focal points per room.
4. Call in four friends to help.
5. Use five pillar candles to add magic to your dining table.
6. Choose six sentimental decorations from past holidays to display.
7. On the seventh day…REST!
8. Enlist eight cleaning elves to spread the duties and save time.
9.
10. Order nine ladies and ten gentlemen gingerbread people to string
on a kitchen garland. Name them, if you wish!
11. Build your Christmas music collection with 11 varied CDs.
12. Remember to enjoy the beauty of the season.
Happy holidays and embrace the joys of good design!
JOAN WHELAN WADDELL, CID, Allied ASID, Professional IDS, is the owner of
J. Waddell Interiors. Ask her your decorating questions at
joanwaddell@iamtodayswoman.com
By Joan Whelen Waddell
Every year we struggle to balance the
demands of the holidays with everything
else on our plates. But some years are
harder than others. These tips give you
easy ways to decorate your homes.
Although I develeoped them for a group
of women with serious health problems,
they’re adaptable to all of us. So, in the
spirit of the season, I give you, my
readers, twelve simple steps to stress-
free, relaxing holiday decorating.
A Partridge in a Pear Tree (one theme in your family tree)
Like the partridge of the holiday song, you need to establish a THEME to
make your decorating cohesive. On DAY ONE, pick your theme and stick to it
— throughout your house. This simplifies the process. Some great themes to
use:
• A natural theme with greenery from your yard or ordered online. Pick three
types of greens and no more.
• A holiday color scheme that complements your fabrics and wall colors. If
your home has a scheme of reds, greens, golds and blues, for example, try
high octane versions of these colors such as citrus orange, chartreuse,
lemon yellow and royal blue. Use these colors for tree ornaments, in bowls
with greens, even for gift wrapping.
• Silver and Ice theme. Put family photos in silver frames and place on a silver
tray. Add silver votives and sprinkle a little snow for a great foyer display.
Carry the theme through with other reflective decorations such as mirrors
and silver ornaments.
Two Turtle Doves (two little projects)
Now that you have a theme, prioritize which two rooms to decorate so that the
project doesn’t get overwhelming. Usually it’s the two rooms where you spend
the most time or where the decor will be seen the most, like the foyer and den.
Three French Hens (three simple focal points)
Choose three things to decorate in each of those two rooms. Use the style of
your tree to determine the look for the other focal points.
• With a natural theme, find an unusual container to house a pot of Paper
whites. Fill it with moss and tie with raffia or ribbon.
• Take a favorite glass bowl and add cut greens. Nestle small ornament balls
in and out of the branches for a touch of color.
• Drape a fresh garland around a favorite painting.
Four Calling Birds (best friends)
It’s time to call in favors from your four best friends. When they say, “What
can I do?” have a list of small decorating projects to choose from:
• “Could you walk around my yard and cut some pretty greenery and pine
cones? I want to keep it simple so just pick out three types.”
• “I love Paper whites! It would be great if you could pick up several already
potted, maybe in three different sizes or stages of growth.”
• “I’m sticking with a simple theme this year — all silver. Can you look for
silver decorations like ornaments and garlands I could place around the
house?”
Five Golden Rings (of candle light)
Carry your theme into the dining room with candles. Things always look
better in candle light, so play it up. With everyone’s attention on the table,
there may be no need to decorate anything else.
• Start with five pillar candles in different heights in a color that best
coordinates with your theme.
• Center candles on an interesting tray and surround with greenery — stick in
small pine cones and holly berries for added texture and color.
• Have an armed chandelier? Weave the same greenery through its arms.
Top it off with festive shades.
Six Geese A-Laying (Six jewels)
We all have special Christmas mementoes we want to display. But pick six of
these “jewels” — and no more.
• If the mementoes are a collection, it’s more effective to group them together
— on a table top, in a bookcase, or side table.
• Have your children decorate their own special tree with handmade
ornaments. A family quilt makes a great tree skirt in a pinch.
• Groups of family Christmas photos can look integrated when you use
matching or blending frames — all silver, white, or red, for example.
Seven Swans A-Swimming (Seventh day sleeping)
After diligently working toward your goal for six days, it’s time for a break.
Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a cup of tea, newspaper, or much-needed
nap.
Eight Maids A-Milking (Eight “maids”-a-cleaning)
By this point, your house is probably in need of some cleaning. But have a
list of priorities, and forget the rest. Whether you enlist the help of family or
hire professionals, remember: they are there to do the work you don’t have
the time or energy for.
• If you have a porch light, have the glass cleaned so it will shine like a
beacon for visitors.
• Pick a few pieces of silver to have cleaned, and then actually USE them:
your coffee urn, a little bowl for chocolates, or a mint julep cup filled with holly
sprigs.
• Make sure the chandeliers are dusted and cleaned. Using a special crystal
spray-cleaner that drip-dries makes the task much easier.
Nine Ladies Dancing and Ten Lords A-Leaping
(Dancing gingerbread people)
Create a culinary theme for your kitchen that blends beautifully with natural
greens.
• Buy a fresh or artificial garland that has light, airy evergreen branches, pine
cones and berries on it, and find a window to hang it from.
• Order fresh gingerbread people, but ask the bakery to put a hole in the top
of each before baking. Thread with gingham ribbon, and string randomly
along the garland.
• Attach metal measuring spoons or other kitchen utensils between the
people to enhance the theme.
Eleven Pipers Piping
(Eleven Pipers, violinists and harpists on your favorite Christmas CDs)
There’s nothing like wonderful Christmas music to bring a home alive for the
holidays.
• Ask friends and family to bring a favorite Christmas CD when
visiting. Add the ones you like to your wish list for purchasing. Ordering from
the internet makes it even easier.
• A CD changer is a great way to get a wide variety of music without ever
having to get out of your chair.
Twelve Drummers Drumming (Twelve bits of decorating advice)
1. Create a theme.
2. Prioritize two rooms to decorate.
3. Pick three simple focal points per room.
4. Call in four friends to help.
5. Use five pillar candles to add magic to your dining table.
6. Choose six sentimental decorations from past holidays to display.
7. On the seventh day…REST!
8. Enlist eight cleaning elves to spread the duties and save time.
9.
10. Order nine ladies and ten gentlemen gingerbread people to string
on a kitchen garland. Name them, if you wish!
11. Build your Christmas music collection with 11 varied CDs.
12. Remember to enjoy the beauty of the season.
Happy holidays and embrace the joys of good design!
JOAN WHELAN WADDELL, CID, Allied ASID, Professional IDS, is the owner of
J. Waddell Interiors. Ask her your decorating questions at
joanwaddell@iamtodayswoman.com