This time of year is crazy for everyone. It seems like there are more commitments every single year, and less time for holiday cheer. Don't get your tinsel in a tangle, Lexington-based interior decorator Liz Toombs of Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors has five tips that will make your holiday decorating fast and fun!

Trust me, Liz knows what she's doing. She and her team from Polka Dots & Rosebuds decorated the entire Alltech arena for the Junior League of Lexington's Holly Day Market in short order. Since I assume that your home is smaller than the arena, you can get your decorations up in a day or two, too! Here are Liz's five tricks for those of you who can't find more than a free hour to deck the halls:

Hang a wreath on your front door. Toombs suggests, “Beautiful wreaths can be purchased pre-made. Even if the inside of your home is still decorated for July 4th, a wreath makes it appear to the outside world that you are in the holiday spirit!”

Let your light shine with candles. Whether pillars, candelabras, or battery-operated, candles set a festive, warm mood. Plus, they make your home smell like the holidays too.

Use what you find at the grocery. “You will have to be at the grocery anyway, so use it as a time to pick up decorations. Pine cones look festive in a bowl. Sprigs of fresh greenery bring a nice touch and scent when placed throughout your home. And, pomegranates and cranberries floating in water look nice in a tall vase that holds fresh flowers,” Liz adds.

Holiday Decorations by Polka Dots & Rosebuds

Try a tabletop tree. “I decorated several tabletop trees this year for clients,” Liz says. “Just because a tree is going on a table does not mean it has to be small. Depending on your space, full-size trees can be very impactful on a tabletop. Plus, if you live in a cramped apartment, a tabletop tree frees up valuable floor area.”
Throw a decorating party. This option is a win-win; you catch up with friends that you may have been neglecting due to your schedule and they can help you decorate. “Turn a girls’ night out into a girls’ night in! Decorate trees, make wreaths, bake cookies, have some holiday cheer - your friends will want to make this party a tradition,” Liz suggests.

Pick a hot spot. Choose one room, or even one area of a room for focus. A mantel, chandelier, staircase or dining area can pack a lot of punch. Once you’ve chosen your hot spot, go all out!

Thanks so much to Liz Toombs for this awesome holiday advice, and check back tomorrow for her advice for holiday decorations when you're short on time. Liz's award-winning firm, Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors, offers complete design services for homes, offices and Greek housing.

{Photos courtesy Liz Toombs.}