Ten Unusual Ways to Decorate for Christmas

Decorating for Christmas can really uplift ones spirits or put them into a holiday mood. There are the traditional ways to decorate, such as hanging stockings, putting up a Christmas tree, seasonal knick knacks, and exterior holiday lights and decorations. There are usually, however, some areas in and around the home that are left untouched. The following ten ideas will help you find ways to decorate areas little touched by the holiday spirit.

One: Purchase a decorative holiday mailbox cover. They simply slip over your existing road side mailbox. They are waterproof and come in a wide variety of seasonal prints. At the end of the holiday season, wipe clean and store away for next year.

Two: Christmas or holiday blankets, comforters, or quilts are an adorable and easy way to touch a room with the holiday spirit. You can find them in inexpensive styles or you can splurge for a better quality. If you want to go all out, you can purchase matching curtains or valances as well.

Three: A holiday day rug can do wonders for a large space and a room that has little or no decorating. You can purchase a large floor rug with a holiday print for the library, office, or even the sun room. They are gorgeous and very festive. Just make sure you have room and optimal space to store them after the holidays are over. If you are looking for a smaller version, consider purchasing area rugs or door rugs. They are smaller, easier to store, and have their own element of holiday charm.

Four: You can purchase toilet covers and rugs for the bathroom. They are available in traditional prints such as with Poinsettias or snow scenes, or they can be whimsical and cute, such as those with a Santa face or Santa falling down a chimney.

Five: A nice holiday shower curtain can really dress a room up for the season as well. Again, you can go elegant, whimsical, cute or anything in between. The cost ranges from very inexpensive (in the vinyl or plastic versions) to very expensive. You can pick and choose to your specifications.

Six: Spruce up those spaces in the kitchen that could use a touch of joy with holiday printed hand towels, oven mitts, coasters, or place mats for the bar, eating space, or table. You can find these items in a huge array of styles. Get them matching or mix and match as you please, as these items are very easy to find.

Seven: The bar. The bar is a good place to add a little decorative holiday charm. Add holiday themed crystal or decanters. Wine glasses with holiday etching or painting are easy enough to find this time of year as well. Keep your eyes open for bottles of liquor or wine that have festive holiday scenes splashed across them, or purchase a punch bowl and glasses with a terrific winter scene engraved on it. The options are plentiful and the bar is a perfect place to add a touch of celebration.

Eight: The nursery. Put a child-sized Christmas or holiday blanket in the crib for a bit of festive cheer. You could add a holiday crib skirt and curtains to match, if you feel like going all out. You can make your nursery bedding, order it online, or purchase it in stores.

Nine: The pet space. Cheer up pet areas with holiday pizzazz. Purchase a holiday-themed cover for the pet sleeping space. Or purchase a holiday outfit for your pet to wear. Just be careful not to get anything that is going to annoy or potentially harm your pet. We once had a little Santa suit with a hat for my son's little dog. It came with reindeer ears that played music. We never used it though because that loud, high-pitched sound would have hurt the dog's ears, and the headpiece had hard materials in it that were bound to be uncomfortable. If you have fish, go to the pet store and purchase a Christmas scene for the bottom of it. The options are endless, cute, and sure to get you in the holiday mood.

Ten: The stereo. Many of us have accumulated tons of Christmas music over the years that rarely gets used. This year why not set up an MP3 player or iPod to compatible speakers and upload the music so it can be played throughout the season and not just on one or two days. Or set up a CD player in the vicinity of where you spend a lot of time and keep the music running throughout the day on low. Holiday music is a great way to generate cheer.

Happy decorating, and happy celebrating to you all.