by Lonnette Harrell

Created on: December 17, 2008

With all the Christmas chaos, many of us have little time left to actually enjoy the holidays. And with the current economic situation, there's not as much "green" this Christmas season for many families. Perhaps it's time to simplify, and one of the best places to start is with your Christmas decorating. Little touches of creativity here and there can transform the plainest house into a holiday winter wonderland. It's all about setting the mood for Christmas.

If you don't have lots of money for holiday decorations, don't forget that you can use inexpensive items such as candy canes, and candy garlands to add Christmas cheer to a room. It's always fun to have an extra supply of candy canes on hand, so that you can give the little ones a treat right off the Christmas tree. And making a candy garland is as easy as buying colorful wrapped candies, and stapling the wrappers together to create a festive holiday swag. These can be used on the Christmas tree, or taped to a mantle or window sill. You can use candy wrappers of one color, or you can mix and match candies for a magical Sugar Plum Fairy effect.

Another inexpensive way to decorate for the Christmas holiday is with candles. Purchase plain pillar candles on sale, and adorn them with pushpins. Look for the thumbtack packages that resemble beads in assorted colors, and make patterns around the bottom of the candles, using one or two colors, or a rainbow assortment, for a beautiful holiday theme.

To add a more dramatic Christmas holiday look to gathered pine cones, mix cranberry spray painted cones, in an assortment of silver or gold painted cones, and display in a beautiful crystal bowl. For an extra touch, add a little holiday glitter.

Another simple and inexpensive idea for holiday decorating, is to take some of your extra Christmas bulbs, particularly the shiny ones, and attach them to ribbons. Than hang the ribbons at various lengths in front of a window. The light reflecting off the ornaments provides an elegant glow.

For a mantle or side table, create a Christmas flower or greenery display. You will need 2 glass vases, one larger than the other. Set the smaller one inside the larger one, and fill the space in between with brightly colored peppermints or other colorful holiday candies, such as red and green Hershey's kisses, or brightly wrapped caramel candies. In the smaller vase, add some Christmas greenery, or some silk poinsettias, or red and white carnations.

And don't forget how amazing one of your plain

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