Wall Clocks Tell Time and Decorate!

Clocks can be of any type - they could be wall clocks that not only decorates the walls, but also tells time or a mantel piece resting on one's table etc..

Wall Clocks can be of one of two types. Analog and Digital.

While digital clocks are precise, the analog clock serve the same purpose. With the increasing need to be accurate, and every microsecond accounted for Digital clocks are the way to go.

Wall Clocks are a central time telling pieces. Be it a work place, home or a visiting place, its always nice to look up and know what time it is. After all time is money.

They can also help other ways - for example a family can set a family alarm while a school can have a clock with a really loud alarm and a microphone attached to it.

Apart from serving a functional requirement, of telling the time, the Wall clocks can be used extensively as decorative pieces, collectors items and even investments.

You should see some on the large wall clocks tucked away in a mansion somewhere or an extensively decorated cuckoo clock.

Wall Clocks are about more than telling time.

They are about style.

About The Author

Mike Yeager, Publisher

http://www.a1-clocks-4u.com/

mjy610@hotmail.com

What is an Interior ReDesigner and How Can They Help Me?

An interior re-designer specializes in arranging everything in a room, from the existing furniture to the flowers. Often used in magazine shoots, re-designers or stylists make rooms look fabulous on camera. Now homeowners can hire a re-designer to make their own rooms look fabulous?in real life!

I?m often asked just how the process works. It starts with talking with my client about their lifestyle needs. For instance, does the ?man/woman of the house? sit in a certain chair in the family room and does it need to be lined-up with the TV or need a good reading light by it for using a laptop? Do they have young children or rambunctious teen-agers so no breakable decorations on the coffee tables? (This is my secret for why the finished rooms live as good as they look... I have seen family members from early grade school children to unenthusiastic spouses come home and wander around the newly re-designed rooms commenting on how they like it!)

Next I look at the furnishings with an eye to arranging them into a room with some real style. While I?m at it I will ?shop? the home to see what I can find and put to better use in other ways. Often times the initial shopping list gets shorter as inspiration strikes, and we find new use for existing items. Just today I was re- designing a living/dining room combination and was able to place a console piece backed up to the sofa so it could also be used for additional serving service in the dining room. The client was thrilled not only with the new look but the added functionality of her room when entertaining without buying another piece of furniture. Other times I?ve found a chair tucked into a walk-in closet and a trunk, artwork, and area rugs stored in garages.

Then I direct an assistant to empty the room of everything but the largest pieces so I can begin with a clean slate to re-design a beautiful professionally decorated room. This includes not only arranging the furniture but hanging art and pictures, placing lamps and plants, accessorizing tables (tablescapes), mantles, curio cabinets, china hutches and bookcases. We complete the room down to the last detail the client gives me to work with. Having been a florist, I often arrange silk or use fresh flowers from the yard to add that extra style to the room.

If a client needs additional items, I then will write them a shopping list at the end for finishing touches. If they want help shopping, I can help them with that as well. I have one client who hates to shop because she finds it hard to visualize the items in her home. She has been living there several years feeling like it felt unfinished and not very ?homey?. We?ve made several shopping runs now and after the last one, she sent me an e-mail and said ?The house looks awesome.? Some times you just need a little help to get your home where you would love it to be!

I hope this helps you understand what an interior re-designer can do for your home. They can make all the difference within a few hours. The most common response I hear when a client walks into see their newly re-designed room for the first time is: ?I can?t believe it. I would never have thought of doing it this way but I LOVE it!? So consider using an interior re-designer when you move into a new home with your previous furnishings or after you?ve remodeled or when you just want the home you?ve been dreaming of as you flip through those decorating magazines! A re- designer probably added their flair to the very rooms you are looking at. Why not hire one to do the same for your home?

Mary L. Brown of One Day Design is an interior re-designer who specializes in quickly transforming rooms using the furniture, accessories, and artwork people already have to give them a professionally decorated look! She's been featured on FOXTV, NBC and HGTV. Download Mary?s FREE ?Top 10 Decorating Mistakes (and How to Avoid or Fix Them!)? and sign up for her FREE decorating eNewsletter at http://www/OneDayDesign.com

Make Your Home's Style Unique With Mix and Match Decor

You see it all the time in retail discount stores: Color coordinated decor for just about anywhere in your home. And some of the designs are quite pretty. In fact, some people become obsessed by them. They're usually really cute, come in a variety of colors, shades, patterns and designs, and they just plain make decorating easy. There's no guesswork - everything is matched for you automatically. But there's also no unique style. No sense of you in the finished style. If you mix and match styles up a bit though, you'll end up creating something that's just right for you, your home, and your style preferences. Here are a few tips on doing that.

1. It's ok to start with a cookie cutter design style, pattern, or color theme you've found in a general store. These are actually great starting places for getting new decor ideas.

2. Try choosing just one or two matching items from the store. For instance, let's say you plan to decorate your bathroom in a sea green color scheme. You'll find plenty of really nice shower curtains to fit this color scheme well, so choose one you like. If you just can't resist... go ahead and get the matching accessories too, such as the toothbrush holder and soap dish.

3. Now most likely the ready made design of your shower curtain has traces of other colors mixed in. It's common for instance, to see blues, tans, yellows and oranges in a sea green coordinated bathroom set, because these colors tend to be seen when you're actually at the sea or ocean. So they compliment each other.

And this is a key decorating point: Your room colors don't have to match exactly. They should simply compliment each other. So in our sea green bathroom decor example above, it would be perfectly natural to add a set of solid tan colored towels, burnt orange wash cloths, and a throw rug with touches of blue in it. If the blue doesn't seem to fit quite right for your tastes, then try a deep forest green colored rug instead.

4. Try different color shade combinations. If you're using primarily green in the bathroom design, try both a light and dark shade as previously mentioned. Test the colors out though, because sometimes one shade doesn't sit well next to another. Sometimes you can tell this instinctively by holding two items of different shades together in the store, but other times you'll need to actually buy the items and test them in the actual room itself. Anything that doesn't quite look or feel right in the overall room design can simply be returned to the store.

5. Work with what you have. In our bathroom decor example, the shades of green might not work well if you have pink walls and aren't able to change them when you're redecorating. If you have deep, dark wood cabinets and other accessories, the darker green shades might make the room seem a bit too heavy and dark once you have all of the new decorations in place.

6. Don't be afraid to try mixing decor styles. It's ok to have a Southwestern style towel set in the same bathroom as a seaside designed shower curtain for instance, because both styles tend to use earth toned colors.

7. Last but not least: If you can't find decor styles you like at regular stores, try shopping around at yard sales and flea markets. Even if you find just one interesting or unique piece that really catches your attention - that's a place to start. You can create an entire room's unique design and decor style by simply working from the color and style of that one piece!

Remember that decorating your home is all about you. Your likes, dislikes, and lifestyle are what's most important. So be sure to inject a little bit of your own personality into the decor of your home, and your friends and family will be envious of your unique, stylish look!

? 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network - http://www.diyhomedecorating.com - a large and growing home decorating and decor website featuring articles, tips, advice, and popular home decor shopping.

Anthony Fisher Pixies

Anthony Fisher Pixies are unique and hand crafted. Based out of Cornwall these pieces have a creative unique look. Not your everyday storybook pixie, Anthony Fisher pixies have a similarity to the artistry of the traditional European fairytales.

These pixies are collectors? items with a wide variety to choose from. Each is just as unique as the name given to them. Take for example ?Billy Winks Money Box? a pixie figurine that is sleeping in his log home. Each pixie has a story that goes along with them. For example Billy?s story is that he likes to steal little things from humans just to cause trouble, that by the way is what pixies like to do best. Unfortunately, Billy Winks is a lazy pixie and you can usually find him sleeping.

These figurines are perfect for adult or child alike. They can be placed in a child?s room or through out the home. They even make a wonderful addition to any garden. Since the many of the pieces have aspects of nature in them, Anthony Fisher Pixies are a perfect match for the average gardener. Pieces such as Sunflower Sam and anyone from his Naughty Sporting series are a good choice for the garden. Other functional pieces include birdbaths, plant holders and even a welcome to my garden piece.

There are other functional pieces for in the home or for use on the patio to entertain as well. These include a wine bottle holder, cooking utensil holder and bookends. All pieces are handmade and have the signature uniqueness only an Anthony Fisher Pixie can carry.

When purchasing an Anthony Fisher Pixie be sure that is an officially licensed place that sells them and be sure to ask about a certificate of authenticity. As with all collectibles it is best to make sure that the piece has the certificate of authenticity with out this your collectible is nothing more than a statue. Also the certificate of authenticity proves that your hard earned money was spent on what you intended it to be spent on.

All in all Anthony Fisher Pixies are the perfect choice to add a little fantasy to the mundane home. They will add a feeling o warmth fun and fantasy to any location. Pieces are reasonably priced and a person on any budget can find a piece that suits them best. These pieces can be found on internet websites that deal in selling just his pieces or directly through the artist?s own website.

Anthony Fisher Pixies

Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas On A Budget

Some of the most creative and unique christmas tree decorating ideas are actually the ones that are the cheapest. Don't think for a minute that decorating a tree, whether it be an artificial tree, a wall mounted tree or a real tree has to be boring! The key is to use your imagination to come up with ideas that will reflect your interests and personal style. When it comes to christmas tree decorating ideas, necessity really is the mother of some great inventions!

Here is some inexpensive and creative christmas tree decorating ideas for revelers on a budget.

Christmas Card Images - This is one of the simplest of christmas tree decorating ideas. Cut the images that you like from last year's Christmas cards and color the back with gold or silver magic marker. Then hang it from the tree with a shiny ribbon. This look is especially nice on a wall mounted christmas tree that is placed next to your main entryway.

Colored Glass or Plastic Balls - Embellishing common colored glass balls with glitter paints or aerosol flocking (fake snow) is one of the most tried and true of christmas decorating ideas. You can also glue on glitter or craft store jewels and attach braids or ribbons on a cheap glass ball and turn it into the dime store equivalent of a Faberge egg. Stickers, sequins and ribbons can also be used to make inexpensive decorations look more unique. A bit of glue and some glitter is also a great way to refresh the look of old or scratched xmas ornaments.

Cookies - Decorating your tree with cookies is as old as the tradition itself. Simply make gingerbread or shortbread cookies and decorate them with icing. Make sure to leave a little hole in the confection so you can hang it from fishline or a ribbon from the tree. Gingerbread men or shortbread snowmen look great, especially on a natural green tree.

Glitter Decorations - Just about any tiny object, sphere or disk can be dipped or painted with glue and then rolled in glitter. This is one way to transform junk into xmas decorations that can be hung from the tree. Glitter is very inexpensive and it can be used to transform everything from old antique keys to cereal box prizes to golf balls into xmas d?cor.

Origami - Origami is the fine art of paper folding. You can find instructions for making everything from snowflakes to storks out of Origami on the Internet. There are many sites that specialize in offering origami christmas tree decorating ideas. One idea is to make larger and smaller versions of the same design to create a balanced and minimalist look.

Party Streamers: simply strewing the ends of its branches with party streamers can create a very fashionable and minimalist looking tree. A strand of Chinese lanterns from the dollar store also very nicely compliments this look. This type of look is also very attractive on an upside down xmas tree or a wall mounted christmas tree as a bit of a breeze makes the tree come alive with movement.

Pipe Cleaners - This is one of those christmas tree decorating ideas that is great to do with the kids! Chenille pipe cleaners have to be one of the most versatile craft items ever invented. Simply twist them into the shape of snowflakes, stars, angels or anything that you can imagine. Best of all pipe cleaner xmas decorations can be wired directly onto the tree. This makes them ideal for trees that can't, for reasons of safety, have too many dangling decorations such as the wall mounted christmas tree or the upside down christmas tree.

Popcorn Christmas Tree - There is nothing cheaper than popcorn and it is a great source of inspiration when it comes to christmas tree decorating ideas. Any type of christmas tree including the real, artificial or wall mounted christmas tree looks great decorated in garlands of popcorn. Popcorn can also be shaped into balls and hung like gigantic snowballs from the branches of a tree. Don't forget too that you can easily dye or paint popcorn using food coloring.

Ribbons and Lace - One of the simplest christmas tree decorating ideas is to simply tie bows made out of scraps of ribbon and bits of lace and tie them to the boughs of a tree. This is also the safest way of decorating a tree if you have a wall-mounted or upside-down christmas tree. Decorating a christmas tree in ribbons that are securely tied to a tree is also safest for a toddler.

Snowflakes - This is one of those christmas tree decorating ideas that are great to do with the kids. Remember the folded paper snowflakes you made as a child? You can decorate them with any color of glitter. For the best results hang the smaller paper snowflakes at the top of the tree and the larger ones at the bottom.

Toys - If you are on a budget then you can find lots of christmas decoration ideas in the toy section at your local toy store. As long as it is miniature, it will probably look great on a tree. You can wire heavier items to the branches and hang lightweight items with colorful bows. Trains, little dolls and fish look especially nice on an xmas tree. This idea is also good for a small wall mounted tree in a child's room.

Wired Translucent Bows - This is one of the more minimalist christmas tree decorating ideas but the effect is absolutely beautiful. Buy wired translucent ribbon on in two colors - silver and gold are hot right now - and simply tie them to your tree. The wire keeps the bows big and stiff so they look really attractive. This look is also perfect for a tree that you don't want people to bump into such as a wall mounted christmas tree or upside down christmas tree.

For more information on Christmas trees, visit http://www.o-christmas-tree.com/christmastrees.htm - a year-round resource for all your christmas tree and decoration needs.

Collecting Christmas Ornaments Creates A Roadmap of Memories

Starting a collection of Christmas ornaments for a child, someone special, or for yourself can help recreate fond memories each year as you decorate your Christmas tree.

When my eldest child?s first Christmas was near, I was hurrying around doing my Christmas shopping when I happened to pass a Hallmark store that had all their Christmas ornaments prominently displayed in the front of the store. My eyes were immediately drawn to a ?Baby?s First Christmas? ornament I thought was adorable. I bought the ornament and decided I was going to give him a special ornament every year until he was 18 years old.

He?s now 24 years old and is still receiving a special ornament from me every year. His younger brother and sister have each received a special ornament every year since they were born too. I planned on stopping when my oldest child was 18, but when he found out I wasn?t going to give him any more ornaments he asked me to continue the tradition. He said he would enjoy receiving an ornament from me every year for as long as I could do it because he loved how I always looked for something that had meaning to him.

When he was younger and liked Star Wars, I bought him Star Wars ornaments. When he started to like computers I found him a computer ornament. When he started bowling I was able to find a cute bowling ornament. And during a few lean years our family had, I made very simple and nearly identical ornaments for all my children. I?ve since made other handmade ornaments using material that were a lot more expensive than the ones I used during our ?poor years,? yet those simple ornaments still generate the most conversation and mean a lot to my children because they know I took the time to make them something.

Since my children were little, they made sure to hang each and every one of their own ornaments on the tree, having mini-discussions about each one. When my daughter hangs up her ballet ornament we talk for a little while about how much she loved ballet when she was younger. When my middle son hangs up his chili pepper ornament we typically talk about how he has a stomach of steel because he can eat (and enjoy) very hot salsas and peppers. And when they get to the simple handmade ornaments we talk for a little bit about the years we were very poor. Decorating our Christmas tree has become a trip down memory lane and it is a meaningful and special trip every year.

There are thousands of different Christmas ornaments available every year. With a little bit of looking it?s possible to find an ornament for just about any subject you desire. Hallmark has an extensive line of ornaments every year, but that?s just one place to look. When my daughter started college I contacted the college bookstore and was able to get a beautiful hand-painted ornament of the school that one of the art students at the school had created. The college bookstore was happy to pack and ship it to me.

Craft fairs are another good place to look for unusual and unique ornaments. The Internet is another great resource to use while on your quest for special ornaments. Sporting Goods stores are a great place to find sports-themed Christmas ornaments. Gift shops in museums are another good place to find special Christmas ornaments. For example, an air museum is likely to have airplane ornaments if you have someone who loves planes. Once you start looking, you?re likely to see Christmas ornaments in many places you didn?t expect.

Dorrie Ruplinger is the publisher of http://www.everythingforchristmas.com, a resource for information about christmas ornaments.

Blue's Clues Party Invitation

Kids love watching the Blue?s Clues television show and many equally desire to have a Blue?s Clues party themed after it. When you are making up invitations to send to your guests it would be nice to have them themed after the television show as well. You may not feel up to the idea of trying to recreate the image of Blue or any of the other characters on the show, but there is no need with this invitation. It?s very simple.

You?ll need:

? Blue cardstock paper (light blue like the color of Blue the Dog)

? Blue construction paper (a darker shade of blue from the cardstock paper)

? Ruler

? Elmer?s glue

? Markers or a computer and printer

? Scissors

? Compass or plastic circle drawing guide

The kids can also get involved in the making of these invitations, so they?ll feel more like they?re helping out with their own party. To start you will measure off and cut out enough pieces of cardstock to match the number of invitations you need to send out. A size for an invitation is about 4 by 6 inches. At this point if you like you can send the invitations through the printer and print in nice neat letters all the information that will be needed on them for your guests. Or you can just write it in later with the markers.

After you cut out the invitations move on to making circles. On the construction paper outline or draw several circles of differing sizes. Cut them all out. They can be lots of different sizes. This helps to make each of the invitations a little bit different and also helps to match Blue because she has lots of different sized circles.

Next glue your circles on the front of your invitations in different numbers and patterns. Try to make it look a little bit random like the spots would on Blue?s skin You can also glue a couple of circles onto the envelopes you?ll be sending your invitations in. Once the circles are dry, write or print something like ?You?re invited?? on the front of the invitations.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or just because parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Blue Christmas: Why Red and Green Aren't Your Only Holiday Choices Anymore

In the mall the other day, one of my favorite funky little stores had decked themselves out for the holidays, complete with an artificial Christmas tree - a purple articificial Christmas tree. Sure, I'd seen the Christmas trees in all sorts of colors advertised in a catalog awhile back. They'd had pink, purple, and aqua, and I'd wondered to myself at the time who on earth would want a Christmas tree in a color other than green, or perhaps white.

Oddly enough though, the tree looked right. The store was a new-age sort of store, selling crystals and incense, candles and fantasy-themed items, and the more I thought about it, the more that little purple tree seemed just perfect for the store. Amidst all the store's wares, a traditional green tree would have looked more off.

Once upon a time, to set the Christmas mood, a person needed to deck their halls in red and green. Red and green signified Christmas like nothing else.

Times have changed, and Christmas comes in a multitude of colors. My husband and I have always done Christmas in blue and white, colors that, to me, bring home the spirit of the winter season, the beauty of snow and ice. Those are the colors that make us feel festive during the holiday season.

Many stores now have -- Target and K-Mart come to mind -- have their holiday decorations broken down by color, from the traditional red and green and silver and gold, to the less traditional shades of blue, all the way to entirely untraditional purples and pinks. There are antique colors, shades of cream and rose and mossy greens, too. And you can find everything from ornaments and lights, to tree skirts and wrapping papers in these colors.

The idea is that the holidays should be personal. They should reflect your own personality and style, and that of your family, rather than just tried and true traditions.

Even if you're a tried and true traditionalist, this new trend in colorful Christmases might give you the inspiration to add an accent color to your traditional red and green. Or why not let your child decorate his own room for Christmas with his favorite color. Kids love to personalize.

Of course, red and green will probably remain the traditional favorites for decking the halls, but if you feel like having a blue Christmas, or maybe a Christmas trimmed in shades of deepest plum then go ahead. Be daring, and why not when Christmas now comes in a rainbow of colors.

Lisa is an author on www.Writing.Com which is a site for Fiction Writing.

Find High Quality Outdoor Christmas Lights for Discount prices!

The best time to shop for discount outdoor Christmas lights is during the off season, of course. Because no one is think ingredients of or anticipating the holiday d?cor that can be both costly and hard to find in the spring or summertime. But discount prices are almost always available right after the season.

A wise consumer knows that buying seasonal items during the season will have a large effect on what price you pay. Plan ahead and shop for next year?s supplies right after this season?you will undoubtedly find some great deals on discount outdoor Christmas lights!

However, make sure that the reduced price is because they are overstock or the store is simply trying to get rid of them. If the cheap price indicates a cheap product, then you are better off buying the expensive and trusted brands. Just check that the strands you buy are approved by the UL (Underwriter?s Laboratories), which sets the standard for acceptable and safe lighting.

And test the discount outdoor Christmas lights before you hang them up! Plug them in any outlet and see that the whole strand lights up. If the strand is dark, check if any bulb are burnt out or missing. You can buy separate replacement bulbs rather than buying a whole new strand.

Many stores are now selling hangers to make it easier to install your discount outdoor Christmas lights. You can find metal hooks, wooden supports, small plastic clips, etc. Depending on whether you want to connect your lights to the gutter or other surface. But never staple or nail the wires of your discount outdoor Christmas lights! If you damage the insulation jacket covering the wire, it can corrode or short circuit.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, recreation, education and d?cor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles about holiday d?cor, please visit Christmas Lights.

Painting and Decorating Tile

Ceramic tile can be beautiful and elegant. But it can also be bland and uninspired. If you want to add a little color or creativity to your tile, here's how!

Remember to clean your tile and let it dry before you begin any project.

1. Seal both tile and surrounding grout with a water-based floor varnish.

Ask your home improvement retailer for suggestions about a good water-based floor varnish for your area.

2. Brush paint primer on both tile and grout.

Let it dry for at least 12 hours before you begin painting.

3. With an artist's brush, paint your pattern with latex paint.

Simple designs are best. You can use stencils or, if you are brave, try painting your own original design directly on the tile. Let the tile dry before sealing.

4. Seal the tiles with two coats of water-based varnish.

Let the tile dry between coats.

Decorating your old tile can be easy and fun. Now, anyone have a great idea for rescuing an old bathtub? (Without making it a backyard planter, that is!)

About The Author

Pamela Cole Harris has been a writer for over 35 years (Yikes! Has it been that long? Her fun, tongue-in-cheek approach to decorating has made http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com one of the most popular d?cor sites on the net. She brings the same spirit of fun to cooking at http://www.thewellfedtraveler.com and running a home business at http://www.pajamabusinesses.com.

Christmas Decoration Storage 10 Quick Tips to Save You Time and Money When Storing Decorations

Christmas is busy, fun, exciting, and sentimental. We love it all -- all but the part when we have to clean up and put everything away.

While it may be tempting to just throw everything into boxes and worry about sorting it out next year, you?ll be sorry when a precious Christmas decoration or ornament gets lost or broken.

Following these 10 tips will help you?

A. Save time by getting all your Christmas decorations organized so it?s quick and easy to find them next year.

B. Save space by using the right kind of boxes that can be easily stacked and organized.

C. Save money by storing your Christmas lights and decorations in a manner that preserves their quality and extends their life span.

10 Quick Tips

1. Use Clear Plastic Storage Containers - These are great because you can see the contents without having to spend time labeling each box. Plus the plastic helps protect from moisture better than cardboard. When stacking, be sure to place the largest and heaviest boxes on the bottom and smaller boxes on the top.

2. Box the Beads - Pack the beads in small boxes such as plastic shoeboxes. If you use many strands of beads, larger boxes could become too heavy. To keep the beads from becoming tangled, place individual strands in baggies. If you prefer, you can wrap each strand around empty paper towel rolls and tape the ends.

3. Don?t Dog Pile the Christmas Lights - Don?t stack too many lights in the same box. The box will become too heavy and the lights on the bottom could be damaged. Lights can easily become tangled so individual strands of lights should be bagged separately or wrapped around paper towel rolls or something similar and placed in plastic grocery bags or large freezer bags.

4. Save Space with Re-Shapeable Decorations - Bows made of wired ribbon can be flattened and reshaped next year. Wired ribbon garlands and streamers can be tightly rolled. They don?t need to be flattened unless you need to conserve space.

5. Don?t Crush Your Wreaths - Wreaths can be stacked in larger boxes but each wreath should be wrapped with bubble wrap. If they aren?t wrapped then they shouldn?t be stacked. Bubble wrap can be purchased where office supplies are sold. Wreath boxes can also be purchased and are readily available on the Internet and in stores.

6. Wrap Christmas Ornaments Properly - Ornaments should be individually wrapped in white tissue paper or where greater protection is needed, wrap in bubble wrap. Since most ornaments are lightweight they can be stored in large boxes. If you still have the original boxes the ornaments came in, then store them in these and then place them in the storage container.

7. Protect Christmas Decorations from Moisture - If you live in a humid climate using plastic containers may not be enough to protect from moisture. Place packets of silica gel in each container to avoid damage from humidity. Silica gel can be purchased at arts and craft stores. If you cannot find individual packets, you can make your own by wrapping several tablespoons of silica gel in white tissue paper and securing with tape. Several packets should be placed throughout the box.

8. Guard Against Temperature Extremes - Delicate decorations such as ornaments made with photos or wax can be temperature sensitive. Store them in a climate-controlled area or they could deteriorate, melt or stick together.

9. Avoid Box Identity Loss - Attach a red ribbon or tag to each Christmas storage box. This will make them easy to identify next Christmas if they have been stored with other boxes unrelated to Christmas decorations.

10. Toss the Trash - Some people have a tendency to just ?hang onto stuff? in hopes that they?ll find a use for it later. Don?t waste space by holding onto old ornaments you know you?ll never use again (unless of course it has some sentimental significance). Just toss out the trash.

A final note: You may also want to consider Christmas ornament boxes and wreath boxes for especially fine ornaments and wreaths instead of clear storage containers. They are available in stores and on the Internet. They are very convenient and some are even acid free for even greater protection for your fine collectables. They are more expensive, but for high quality, valuable ornaments this may be a worthwhile investment.

A little organization today will make you feel like a Christmas decorating pro next year. Happy un-decorating!

Judy Hardaway is the writer for Amazing-Christmas-Ideas.com - an online Christmas gifts and decorating ideas resource site. For more decorating ideas as well as gift ideas such as unique Christmas gifts for men, visit http://www.Amazing-Christmas-Ideas.com today.

Freshen Up Your Bedroom

Fresh air is good for you, but how much time do you spend outdoors?

Since many of us spend most of our lives indoors, we should be aware of what is called sick-house syndrome. This sick house syndrome is a byproduct of keeping your house closed up against outside elements. We all want to block out noise, pollution and cold or hot air but this also prevents toxic fumes from getting out of our house!

Harmful fumes can come from paints, cleaning products, air fresheners and even wood smoke if you have a fireplace. Believe it or not, even your furniture and carper can emit dangerous pollutants. Keeping your house ?sealed up? to keep out the elements can also keep these fumes inside. Studies show that the air in our homes should be changed ten times per day - anything less causes build up of dangerous pollutants.

Since you spend most of your time in the bedroom, here?s where you should start to freshen up your air. You?ll be healthier and your bedroom will smell better too!

First, open the windows (just a crack is sufficient) when possible, and check to make sure that all vents are unblocked.

Another problem that lack of ventilation can cause is mold and mildew. This is found to be a danger not only to your health, but it can also damage the structure of your house. Especially in rooms such as the master and guest bathrooms, where humidity is likely to be high, proper ventilation is essential. The use of fans in these areas are helpful.

Also, check areas such as the attic, and underneath floors for proper air circulation. If you have a humidity problem upstairs, it probably means that the attic or roof space needs more ventilation. Be aware that some types of flooring can cause structural damage if there is not adequate ventilation beneath it.

Everyone wants a clean smelling bedroom but icky smells happen and you should not overdo it with room air fresheners. Aerosols should especially be avoided as they are not eco friendly and have chemical additives. You won?t be able to create a fresh smell in your bedroom by adding more scent to the air ? instead open a window and let the real fresh air in!

A great way to make a safe air freshener and deodorizer for your bedroom is to sprinkle a few drops of vanilla or scented essential oil on a cotton ball. Put the ball in a pretty dresser tray or other open container that you will not mind if the oil touches it. Other ways to freshen up your bedroom naturally include using baking soda, white vinegar or dried herbs. Try putting a bouquet of fresh flowers on your dressing table for a great smell and a great look!

One other thing to be careful about in the bedroom is perfumes and hair sprays. You should keep the use of these to a minimum and try using only natural products if you can.

If you or your loved ones suffer from unexplained drowsiness, headaches or a general malaise, try getting fresher air through the house. Your family and your home will breath easier and avoid the sick-house syndrome.

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs and Decorations where you can learn more about designing your dream bedroom.

Keep Your Home Happier

It turns out your mother was right after all -- Happiness really does begin at home, with the things and the people you are surrounded by. Your vision is one of the first messengers to send signals to your brain as to how it feels. Therefore, it follows that keeping your home happier will have a direct impact on how you feel.

What do you see in your home --Clutter? Chaos? Angry faces? What do you hear -- Loud voices; bad music?

What do you feel when you look around your home? Stress? Unhappiness? Frustration? UGGGGG!

What if instead you could feel and ?see? opportunity and optimism? Energy and enthusiasm? Ok, maybe that?s going a little too far, after all it IS just the living room.

Try these ways to let your environment help make you happier.

1. Subtract the Ugg factor

Chances are if you?re like most people these days, you are fighting tooth and nail just trying to keep up with your life. Getting organized will help you win the fight. Look for the ugg factors in each of your spaces (desk, office, living room, bedroom, garage). Start with the White Elephant, the first thing that makes you go UGG when you walk into the space. Fix it, clean it, organize it, get rid of it. Whatever.

2. Up the color factor

Color is the accessory to our lives. Without it, while functional, it can be pretty plain. And scientists have long knows the effects that color can have on moods. Red and Yellows and Oranges inspire and stimulate. Blues and Greens are calming and restorative. Colors can also elicit memories, like ?hospital green?, or ?college purple?. In my family, we had a color called ?Dad?s blue shirt?. Look at the colors around you. If paint is not an option check your accessories. Glue some inexpensive colorful beads or buttons to terra cotta pots to use as bright catch-alls for the bathroom, the desk, the kitchen table. Buy colorful frames for pictures. Wear a colorful top. When I wear red, I smile all day.

3. Don?t forget the smile factor

The smile factor is truly personal. I have a screensaver of my 2 puppies in a funny position. I grin every time I see it, no matter how stressed, no matter how irritated I am at my internet cable provider. Take inventory of your space, one piece at a time. Ask yourself, is it useful? Is it beautiful to me? Does it make me smile? Or does it make me remember how much my mother-in-law criticizes me?

4. Function is always a factor!

Check the function of your space. Take a look around -- is your home functioning in a way that supports what you want and how you want to feel? If the room is for working and reading, low lights will make you uncomfortable and unhappy. Functionality is increased when a multi-purpose -- or multi person -- room is divided into zones so that more than one purpose or person can use it effectively. Use your creativity. Even the ubiquitous storage must-haves can be more than merely functional. With a little planning and thought, they can add visual interest and style to a room.

The steps to happiness begin with what you are surrounded by most of the time. Use positive psychology, positive messages, and positive images to feed your brain positive feelings. If you put these ideas to work, your home really can help keep you happy.

About The Author

Kathy Gates is a Professional Life Coach in Scottsdale AZ. If you liked this article, you?ll love her ?7 SECRETS To A Great Life? program. Get more information at her website Real Life Coach, http://www.reallifecoach.com/success.htm and sign up for the newsletter.

kathy@reallifecoach.com

Balloons: Party Trivia History

Some historical facts indicate that balloons like those used at parties may date back as far as the ancient Aztecs. It is believed that the Aztecs used the intestinal linings of cats to create balloons that were filled with air and twisted into shapes. These balloon gifts were then placed on the altar next to the foods and other offerings that were then burned in honor of the gods. Balloons have changed a lot since then.

In 1824 a professor at the Royal Institution of London created rubber balloons for use in experiments with hydrogen. Professor Michael Faraday cut out round sheets of rubber and pushes the ends together. Then, by forcing hydrogen into the balloon so that it expanded, Professor Faraday noted that the hydrogen was so light that it forced the balloons to float upwards. By1881 rubber balloons were commonly available, from stores or catalogs.

In 1931 the party balloon was born when the first novelty shaped balloon was created in the form of a cat?s head. Soon, there were all sorts of shapes available. Then balloons became methods of advertising with stamps being placed on them with merchant information. Helium replaced Hydrogen as the gas filling of choice because although Hydrogen made the balloons float higher and maybe even lasted longer, Helium was a great deal safer than Hydrogen.

At some point in the 1970s Mylar and other foil balloons became more common. The shiny and reflective sides when coupled with the bright colors used in the pictures and wordings are much more eye catching than the traditional rubber based ones.

Another use for the rubber or latex type of balloon that symbolizes fun and frolic is the water balloon. The water balloon is notably thinner in composition than the traditional helium balloon. This ensures that the balloon will explode upon impact, often soaking the target. Water balloons, like helium or foil balloons, are meant to be symbols of fun. The bright colors and fun designs can complement any party theme and add a new dimension to your decorations. Balloons can be easily purchased from your favorite party supply store. When picking up your cups, plates and other party accessories, be sure to remember the balloons!

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes (PartyThemeShop.com) to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or just because parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.