Six Holiday Decor Ideas to Impress Your Guests by Amanda Smith - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

FEBRUARY
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Six Holiday Decor Ideas to Impress Your Guests

By Amanda Smith, Community Writer
November 6, 2015 at 03:02pm. Views: 95

Whether you're planning an extravagant party or simply hosting a few family members, the stress of the holiday season can easily become overwhelming. With your busy schedule and full to-do list, the key to successful entertaining is to keep it simple. If you're like most people, you're probably breaking out your traditional holiday decorations - but why not take it up a notch this year? Here are some easy ideas to instantly rejuvenate your home, wow your guests and create a welcoming environment: Restyle your shelves If the shelves in your living or dining room are full of books and baskets the rest of the year, take a moment to declutter. Stash those everyday items away and replace them with elegant holiday décor like pretty dishes, serving pieces or china you're not already using on the dinner table. You can also sneak in pops of color with ornaments and sprigs of pine. Wow your guests with new window treatments Dressing up your windows is an easy way to give a room a fresh look, just in time for company to arrive. Consider motorized window coverings for comfort and convenience, as well as energy savings. Your holiday budget will appreciate it year after year. Combined with timers and sensors, your draperies and blinds will adjust automatically, while you enjoy your company. With the myLink(tm) app from Somfy, you can use your tablet or smartphone to control your window treatments while at home or away. Create the perfect sunrise or sunset scenery with a built in clock that adjusts daily, optimizing the natural light in your home. For more information on motorization, visit somfysystems.com. Create a cheerful greeting display Don't just stuff all those holiday cards in a drawer or basket - show off your favorites in a festive way. Weave a colorful ribbon along the banister of your staircase or a blank wall and use clips or clothespins to string them throughout. When guests come over, they'll love seeing themselves featured in your display. Balance your color palette While bright red and green tend to be the favored holiday hues, this color scheme isn't for everyone. If you find yourself shying away from these colors, opt for metallic tones like silver, gold and bronze. These shades bring warmth and cheer to a room without taking away from your existing décor. Dazzle with lights Less is more when it comes to sophisticated holiday lights. If you tend to have more guests to your home during the holidays, it's important to keep your walkways and paths brightly lit, especially if you're in an icy climate. Spread a few strands of lights along the shrubs or smaller trees that line the path up to your front door to guide your guests safely into your home. Bring warmth with a fancy fireplace A fireplace is the finishing touch to a cozy winter living room scene. Not only does it add warmth, it also creates an alluring and inviting environment. An insert fireplace is a great addition to your home, whether you want to build new or replace your current fireplace for a more energy efficient option. Dress your home to impress this holiday season. These décor tips will have your guests in awe the moment they walk through the door.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Dr Bernadine Irwin

By Dr Bernadine Irwin, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:49am. Views: 374

Meet the Pony creating joy and healing for all ages
Cheyenne an Australian Appaloosa Pony, Dr Bernadine Irwin, & Dr. Robert Soderblom

Photo Courtesy of: Truly Adams

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:49am. Views: 385

Riverside racing driver Truly Adams with Cars N' Coffee Riverside organizers Johnny Silva and Natalie Trujillo at the Dec. 20 fundraiser at Cable Airport. The event raised $5,000 to support Adams' Formula 4 racing career.

Photo Courtesy of: Van Howard

By Car lM. Dameron, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:49am. Views: 451

Cheryl and Hardy Brown are the Grand Marshals for the 47th Annual Black History Parade along Baseline from Mt. Vernon to California Street, ending at Arryo High School. They are a powerful duo in San Bernardino, using media, publishing, and politics to uplift their community and advocate for representation and equality.

Photo Courtesy of: The National Sports Association of Wellness and Mental Fitness (NSAWMF)

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:49am. Views: 423

Making mental fitness education proactive, practical, and accessible across the sports ecosystem.
A group of adults stand close together, smiling and clapping enthusiastically while looking toward an unseen event, suggesting a moment of celebration or support.

Photo Courtesy of:

By William Cortez, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:49am. Views: 407

Make sure you have the new schedule for 2026.
Two women greet each other at a train platform. One woman stands inside an open train doorway, smiling with her hands clasped, while the other stands on the platform facing her. The train is blue with red doors, and the station’s glass-and-steel roof is visible overhead.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:50am. Views: 255

GTHS Athlete of the Week: Gabriela Jacome Avendaño

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By William Cortez, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:50am. Views: 237

Sister City Survey will help the community
A split image shows a hillside neighborhood landscape on the left and a historic cathedral with twin towers on the right. Centered text reads “City of Moreno Valley Sister City Program” with a colorful abstract logo representing people connected together.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:50am. Views: 243

Come check out Flight Deck Bike Park!
Flight Deck Bike Park is the largest Velosolutions pump track in Southern California.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Morneo Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:49am. Views: 277

Who doesn't want a gentle dog with a lopsided grin and a gleam in her eye?
Shasta, a female, three-year-old, black and tan Boxer mix.

Photo Courtesy of: Dr Luis S Gonzalez

By Dr Luis S Gonzalez, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:50am. Views: 298

Check out the barber shop celebrating 12 successful years!
Aiden Valdez, David Negrete, Council Member DrG, Reuben Martinez, owner; Steven Rosas, Jason Blackcloud, and Isaac Toledo, not pictured Jose Nunez.

Photo Courtesy of:

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:50am. Views: 310

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer & Photographer

March 28, 2024 at 06:10am. Views: 801

GTHS Athlete of the Week Kenneth Jaquez on January 16, 2024 at the GTHS Varsity Boys soccer game against Rim of the World High School.

--> -->