| Have you given any thought to exactly how you | | | | |
| are going to express your festive side this | | | | The possibilities are endless. Just don't |
| holiday season? November is the official | | | | limit yourself to traditional table covering. |
| start for many of us for decking the halls | | | | |
| with holiday cheer. Why not do something | | | | 2) Based on the size of my table, shelf, |
| unique and different this year. | | | | curio, etc., approximately how many |
| | | | accessories will it take to fill the |
| Create a Christmas Wonderland with holiday | | | | space?please note:a) This is good to know |
| snow globes. That's right, snow globes. I | | | | prior to shopping because if your budget |
| will show you how to create a focal point in | | | | permits, you may want to display a collection |
| your home that just may become a tradition | | | | of water globes. |
| with your family and friends alike. | | | | |
| | | | 3) Do I have enough space for tall items or |
| With Thanksgiving and Christmas just weeks | | | | wide items only? Can I use a combination of |
| away, decorating our homes and offices with | | | | the two? |
| festive displays of holiday glee takes center | | | | |
| stage for many of us. | | | | Try to ask and answer as many question as |
| | | | possible about your display space as you can |
| It's that time of the year when the sale of | | | | think of. The purpose of this is to eliminate |
| poinsettias, garland, snowmen, Santa's and | | | | the guest work prior to making your first |
| reindeers are selling at record speed and the | | | | purchase. The more you pre-think about what |
| smell of Christmas cookies and decorated | | | | you can and can not do, the easier it will be |
| pastry fills the air and pleases our | | | | for you to make the right snow globe or water |
| nostrils. | | | | globe selection. |
| | | | |
| In our quest for a memorable holiday season | | | | Choosing the right snowglobe or water globe |
| we get in touch with family and friends to | | | | |
| swap recipes and trade cooking secrets passed | | | | There are a flood of online stores where you |
| down to us from one generation to the next. | | | | can purchase snowglobes. My only concern here |
| | | | is that you purchase a high quality snowglobe |
| Well this year, WOW them with a beautiful | | | | to be the star of your display. Prices can |
| focal point using snowglobes or water globes | | | | range from as little as $24.95 to $99 and up. |
| as your jumping off point. The difference | | | | For a wonderful selection of snow globes |
| between a snowglobe and a water globe is that | | | | visit |
| typically water globes don't have the "snow" | | | | |
| in them. But, beware that many online stores | | | | Avoid buying a mini globe as your star |
| will list a snowglobe as a water globe and | | | | feature. The size is to small to draw the eye |
| vice versa. | | | | in. You can use mini globes as accent pieces. |
| | | | |
| For our purposes, it really doesn't matter. | | | | Before making your selection, ask yourself |
| We are creating a focal point that's | | | | the following questions: |
| beautiful to look at not play with. | | | | |
| | | | 1) What is it about this water globe that |
| Before shopping for that perfect globe, you | | | | gives it star quality? |
| must first decide where in your space you | | | | |
| want to create a focal point. | | | | 2) Are there enough intricate details that |
| | | | others would be drawn to it? |
| Deciding on a Focal Point area | | | | |
| | | | 3) How will this fit into the space I have |
| This is not as difficult of a task as you may | | | | set aside as my focal point area? Consider |
| think. Just stand in the doorway of the room | | | | the height, and width of the item. |
| you want to place your display, consider the | | | | |
| placement of furniture and non-movable items | | | | 4) How difficult will it be to find accent |
| in the room and choose a location you want to | | | | pieces to help highlight this globe? |
| draw attention to. | | | | |
| | | | All right, you're made your purchase of the |
| Keep in mind that there are all kinds of ways | | | | perfect snow globe and there's no changing |
| to display your snowglobes.a)Create a scene | | | | your mind. Good! Now let's create that focal |
| on top of your fireplace mantleb)Clear off a | | | | point. |
| coffee table or accent table and use itc)Add | | | | |
| a decorative wall shelf to a wall and create | | | | Creating A Focal Point |
| your display upon it | | | | |
| | | | You've already done the hard part. Now here |
| You get the idea. Because it's going to be a | | | | is where the fun begins. |
| focal point, your eye should be naturally | | | | |
| drawn to the area you choose to place your | | | | 1. Cover your table or shelf with your |
| display. Don't choose an area that is hidden. | | | | festive cloth. |
| For example, a spot behind the door or in an | | | | |
| out of sight location would not be the ideal | | | | Please Note: |
| place for your display. Sounds funny, but | | | | |
| it's been know to happen. | | | | If you are utilizing your fireplace mantle, |
| | | | PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION as all covering |
| O.K., now that you have chosen the location | | | | are highly flammable and can cause fire! |
| of your focal point, it's time to shop for | | | | |
| that perfect snowglobe to take center stage | | | | 2. Place your snowglobe in the desired |
| and be the "star" of the show. To keep your | | | | position. Play around with different spots. |
| cost down, we'll start out by purchasing just | | | | Turn it a little to the left, no the right, |
| one globe and accessorize with other | | | | no in the center. You get the point. Find the |
| figurines or complementary items found around | | | | right spot that will best display your globe. |
| your home. | | | | |
| | | | 3. Now accessorize with other items around |
| Consider the table, shelf, curio cabinet or | | | | the house that highlights and complements |
| storage unit | | | | your new snow globe purchase. |
| | | | |
| Now that you've chosen the location, it's | | | | Below are some suggestions:a) Search around |
| time to take into consideration the physical | | | | your home for existing treasures to add to |
| object you will be placing your water globe | | | | your display.b) Cover a lamp shade with |
| display on. Ask yourself a few key questions | | | | translucent holiday paper wrap (to prevent a |
| such as: | | | | fire hazard, cover the outside only), add it |
| | | | to your table and light up your scene.c) Go |
| 1)Do I need to place a decorative tablecloth | | | | to an inexpensive novelty store and purchase |
| over the table in order to create a more | | | | little nick-knacks to dress up your displayd) |
| festive backdrop?please note:a) Oftentimes | | | | Use a Christmas tree skirt that has Santa and |
| the right tablecloth or covering can make the | | | | his little helpers or any holiday scene will |
| difference between having a nice display and | | | | do. Drape it on the shelf so that it hangs |
| having that WOW factor.b)I always recommend | | | | over the front. Be sure the holiday scene can |
| some form of festive covering on your display | | | | be seen from across the room.e) Add rope |
| table or shelf.c) Think outside the box when | | | | lighting to your display. This is a wonderful |
| it comes to types of coverings: | | | | way to drawn the eye in.f) Use cotton balls |
| | | | to simulate softness, clouds, or snow.g)If |
| Example: | | | | you run short of creative ideas, flip through |
| | | | home decorating magazines the next time |
| 1. use a yard of decorative fabric and cut to | | | | you're waiting in the grocery line and watch |
| size | | | | your imagination flow. |
| | | | |
| 2. use a festive tablecloth (cut to size) | | | | Don't be intimidated by this process. As you |
| | | | add items to your display, the creative |
| 3. use an old holiday blouse, sweater or | | | | juices will begin to flow and before long you |
| scarf (cut to size) | | | | will have out-done yourself. |
| | | | |
| 4. use a silk red, gold, or green sheet (cut | | | | Good luck creating a dynamic Christmas |
| to size) etc. | | | | Wonderland and remember.....Have fun. |