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We asked our Facebook followers to answer this question: If you could only do one thing (because of time or money) to set the mood for Thanksgiving/Christmas, what would you do?
Here’s what they said with a few extra ideas thrown in for fun. Choose one sure-fire tip to bring in the holiday spirit. Who knows, a week later you might just want to pick another one!
Music! —– Jackie Tallent
For me, setting the holiday mood is a “thing” plus a smell and a sound. For instance, it’s the old percolator burbling away on the kitchen counter, making my mom’s recipe for hot Christmas punch, and the smell of cloves and cinnamon that float around the house. Mom always made her punch throughout the season from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and it’s a tradition that continues with my own family to this day. I hear that burble and smell the yummy aroma, and that ushers in the season for me. —– G. A.
I get out decorations and pictures of family from my childhood.
I set out a nativity (artwork that pictures Jesus’ coming to earth as a baby) and make sure I read about it in the Bible. —– Julie Livingood
My table place settings put me in the holiday mood! Folks will always gather around the table, which is always my focal point every year. —– Cheryl Najjar
Mine is definitely a hollowed-out pumpkin with flowers from Dollar Tree in the center! —– Lia Brandon
For Thanksgiving, mine is a metal pumpkin candle holder. I usually just stick a pinecone in it instead of the candle though.
I find a celebration tablecloth to lay out for special occasions (mine is deep red, which is easy to match with most holiday decor). It immediately transforms the table since most of us don’t use tablecloths on a regular basis anymore. I put on the tablecloth a small centerpiece from a Dollar Tree or Goodwill for each holiday. —– Helen Sweeney
I set out the shiniest and most glittery Christmas ornaments in a clear bowl or vase. I find the container color and shape that works for each room. I even use a small fishbowl with tiny purple ornaments over the toilet tank! —– C. W. K.
For more ideas, go to: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years
