The Secret to Stand-Out Party Decorations

I am absolutely not artistic so when I was preparing for my interview with Jill Kirsh about her color system for clothes and makeup and I saw what a dramatic difference a little color made, I started to wonder how it would affect our events. I wondered what could we do with color to make our celebrations more of what we want.

So I started poking around on-line and was amazed at some of the great things you can do and how you can transform a space or create a feeling through the colors you choose. You can make your event feel more fun, more dramatic, or more relaxing simply through your color choices.

So whether you’re wondering how to decorate for a graduation party, a baby shower, a wedding or your favorite holiday it all starts with theme and color. The theme is optional, you can choose to create one or not, but color is key no matter what else you do. Color gives an event it’s look and its feeling, it can even take the place of a theme.

When you’re ready to plan your event, begin by choosing your theme. Once you have a theme, or if you choose to skip the theme, it’s time to choose your colors. You’ll want to pick a main color and one or two accent colors. The key then is to have a harmonious combination. This happens by choosing colors that look good and feel good together.

Fortunately the process for doing this has been simplified for those of us who are not really artistic, and it all goes back to the trusty color wheel. Essentially there are three ways to go: monochromatic color schemes, analogous color schemes, or complementary color schemes.

In a monochromatic color scheme you’ll choose just one color then use various shades of that color. These schemes are easy to put together and tend to be soothing. Just be sure to choose shades far from each other on the spectrum so that you have some contrast.

In an analogous color scheme you’ll choose three colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel. This type of color scheme feels very harmonious, like things feel in nature. Choose one color to dominate then use a second color to support it and the third as an accent color.

In a complementary, a.k.a. contrasting, color scheme you’ll choose a main color then select the color directly opposite it on the color wheel as the accent color. This scheme is more vibrant and has more punch. The classic example is Christmas colors of red and green. They look great together and one gives the other a bit of pizzazz. This scheme can be carried out with three colors as well. Simply choose three colors on the color wheel that make a triangle such as red, yellow, and blue or purple, orange and green. This is known as a triad color scheme and it packs a big punch; think Mardi Gras and other vibrant events. When using a complementary color scheme be sure to have one color dominate and use the other color(s) simply as accents.

Once you have your color scheme identify your main color. This is the color which will be most used and most visible in everything from your invitations to your decorations. You’ll use your main color for your table linens or the background on a banner. You may use it for the background color of your invitations or the overriding color in your flowers or balloons. It’s the color you’ll be using the most and in large blocks.

You’ll use your supporting and accent colors in smaller ways. On your tables they can be used for the napkins, place cards, favors, charger plates or center pieces. In your tablescapes they can be used in runners, corner ties, or center pieces. They may be in the flowers you choose or some of the glass beads you put in the bottom of a vase, in candles or ribbons, the lettering on a banner, or a design on your invitations. The accent color helps to make things pop and it can be used to draw your guests’ eye to something.

Color is fun and it makes a statement about your party so choose something that works for you, and above all else, that you like.

Giving Gifts of Love

We give presents to lots of different people for lots of different occasions. But there are times when we want to give a special gift, or we want the recipient to feel truly loved; we really want them to know we care. Those are times when we can get stuck, shopping and shopping for the perfect gift. But making it special isn’t only about the present; there are other ways to show our feelings too; by adding a personal touch or by making the giving a special experience. Here are a few tips for giving a special gift:

• Make It - A homemade gift is a labor of love and the recipient knows you’ve taken the time and put in the effort to do something just for them. We all love to receive handmade presents and there are thousands of ideas ranging from coupons and poetry to woodworking. And beyond that are the gifts of your time. The sky is the limit so let your imagination run wild.
• Personalize It – You don’t have to be handy or crafty to give a personal gift. Almost anything you purchase can be personalized; clothing, towels, jewelry, mugs, trinket boxes, money clips, and golf clubs can be marked with the initials of the recipient. Books can have a special message or an inspirational quote written on the inside cover. And you can go further. You can buy an unfinished item at a craft store and complete it yourself. You can add a little sparkle or bling to a store-bought item by attaching some trimming or beads. You can put an inscription on a gift, putting it inside a piece of jewelry, on the bottom of a tea box, inside the rim of a golf bag or anyplace else you can get an engraving tool, wood-burning tool, or a Sharpie.
• Wrap It – When it comes to wrapping presents it’s time to think outside the box, and the paper. While you can personalize the wrapping by using a themed wrapping paper which reflects the recipient’s interests, paper and gift bags are not the only options. Material, objects, blankets and beautiful boxes can all hold the original item and unconventional wrap can make giving it so much fun! So if they love to play sports, pack their gift into a small duffel bag. If they are an environmentalist, pack it into a reusable tote. If they love to sew or quilt, wrap it in a piece of pretty fabric. If they are sentimental, set it inside a beautiful hat box which can be used to store special items. And if they’re always cold, wrap the gift inside a cozy fleece blanket.
• Give It – The way you give a present can be as much fun as the present itself. We’ve all seen scenarios where a man goes to great lengths to propose to a woman and give her an engagement ring in a creative way. I don’t recommend putting your gift into a glass of champagne because, really, the tickets will get soggy and the skis won’t fit. But you can still be imaginative in your giving. You can dream up funny ways to give a gift or romantic ways to give a gift. Here are just a few suggestions to get the creative gears turning: have it delivered to their office, send it with a singing telegram, set the stage with candle light and soft music, have it set on their chair at a restaurant before you are seated at the table, gather your family and sing them a song. Fun, loving, silly, romantic, whatever the occasion and whatever your personality, you can find a creative way to give the gift.

How to Organize Your Pictures so You Can Enjoy Them

One of the great things about celebrations and special occasions is going back and reliving the best moments. Most of us use photographs to document these occasions, but how often do you actually get them into a frame or an album so you can enjoy your pictures and relive your memories?

If you’re like me, you’ve pulled out the boxes of photos from many years ago and started sorting them, only to get stuck trying to figure out the date things happened or caught up in reminiscing, and you only make it through about 20 pictures.

So then you decide to tackle the pictures on the computer because those all have some kind of date attached. But then you get lost jumping from file to file or you can’t decide where to move them or how to sort them.

I’ve had enough! So I went looking for some help and here are some useful links I found:

This article in Woman’s Day – How to Organize Your Photos Like a Pro has some great tips and suggests some useful tools. Although I totally disagree with their first step, which is to put your photos in chronological order. Personally I’ve found that to be a show stopper and a huge waste of time. I got a better suggestion from Cathi Nelson, a professional photo organizer and president of the Association of Personal Photo Organizers. Cathi recommends choosing a theme, something important to you or your family, and then pulling out all of the pictures related to that theme. She uses that as the starting point.

I like the idea in this post Organizing Your Photos which gives some direction for handling our digital photos.

I love the inspiration in this post 20 Great Ways to Display Family Photos. It includes examples (photos:) of ways designers have included framed family photos in decor. This is the ultimate way to enjoy your own photographs – get them out where you see them every day.

And, above all, I love Cathi Nelson’s advice in our Heart Filled Holidays radio interview. She’s spent 17 years helping other people bring their photos out into their life and her advice is priceless. Her ABCs of photo organizing changed the way I think about sorting photos and have made it possible for me to sort and organize and get them into some albums. I’ve even decided to create an album for my hubby for Christmas – he’ll be thrilled that he has pictures he can look at without dragging out a huge plastic bin or a computer.

Handmade Valentine Cards with Thumbprints

I was doing a little surfing and I discovered these Thumbprint Valentines on brown paper packages blog. I adore these little handmade Valentines cards, in fact they’re so cute that I’d call them little homemade Valentine’s gifts! If I received one of these with my kids thumb-prints it would melt my heart. That little item would head straight to my “special box” where I keep all those mementos that make me smile or tear up.

Taking the idea even further I can see creating one of these darlings and framing it for the grandparents. You could also create them in miniature to use as refrigerator magnets. Your local office supply store probably sells boxes of business card magnets. Simply design the Valentine the size of a business card, stick it to the magnet and Voila!, one little treasure completed. Or use some sturdy cardstock when you make it and attach any button magnet or cut the business card magnet to fit. They’d also make terrific covers for “brag book” photo albums. The possibilities are endless – and adorable.

Tips for Celebrating Chinese New Year 2012 The Year of the Dragon

Chinese New Year is right around the corner. This coming Monday marks the beginning of this annual celebration of a new year and new energy.

Preparing for this holiday is simple and a great way to get the house in order. You’ll start out by cleaning your house as thoroughly as you can prior to the new year. However, don’t sweep during the first few days of the new year so you don’t sweep out the good luck. Brooms and dust pans should be stored out of sight.

To encourage prosperity you’ll want to dress up in your new clothes, have an abundance of food on the table and in your pantry, feast on good luck dishes such as dumplings, set out bowls overflowing with oranges and vases of yellow bulb flowers like daffodils, and fill your wallet with money.

When the big day arrives fill your home with laughter, light and loved ones for the celebration to encourage good wishes for the upcoming year. And encourage soft-spoken, kind language all day long as that will set the tone for the year.

Remember red. Red is said to be a lucky color and to ward off evil spirits. So consider wearing red clothes, decorating with red lanterns, and giving children the traditional gift of red envelopes. And skip the white. In Chinese culture white is the color of death and should be avoided on the new year.

It’s also said that if you work on the Chinese New Year then you’ll be working all year long so it’s common to enjoy a wonderful meal out or to prepare things ahead of time. However, if you love to entertain then consider a few of these traditional oriental dishes to enhance your feast:

• Top 10 Appetizers
• Sweet Rice
• Lettuce Wraps
• Spring rolls
• Boiled Dumplings

And for dessert you can serve up your own fortune cookies stuffed with wishes for all that you want in the new year.  Making the  fortunes can be a fun, family friendly activity.

Or you can simply do what I plan on doing; prepare the house, our finances and ourselves. Then I’ll stock the pantry, deck the halls in red and order take out.

For more information on celebrating as well as 2012, the year of the dragon, listen to our January 9th episode of Heart Filled Holidays where I interviewed Kathryn Weber, creator of the #1 feng shui ezine.

Wishing you a joyous and prosperous New Year!

Let Martin Luther King Jr. Inspire You to Bring Joy into Your Life

“Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Those are the moments we all long for and that make life so sweet. They can most easily be found when interacting with another person and particularly one of another generation. That’s why events and holidays are so important, why they can add so much to our lives. They are the perfect opportunities for gathering loved ones together, creating memories, and celebrating family traditions; the things that let you love your life.

That’s all happiness really is, a series of moments that we enjoy, doing things that make our heart sing. So right now, take a few minutes, grab a calendar and mark off the opportunities you have in front of you; opportunities to create joy. Check off birthdays, anniversaries, special events, dates of achievement, holidays and “just because” reasons for gathering and celebrating. Then choose a few to focus on, decide how you’d like to celebrate, and make it happen!

A Geeky Christmas ~ Fun Celebrations

I’ve been talking to people about our “geeky Christmas”. There were many things that happened that made me laugh. For example: During our Christmas visit at my parents house my teenage niece pulled out a dictionary and started asking people to spell words – hard words! We all laughed but the next thing you know we’re having an informal spelling bee which included a lot of side commentary and some great belly laughs. Another time I found myself sharing a joke that is totally based on chemistry.

There were other instances at various gatherings, they all made me chuckle. But the other day I saw this definition on-line: Geeky:

1. To love, to enjoy, to celebrate
2. To have intense passion for
3. To express interest in
4. To possess a large amount of knowledge in
5. To promote

Well, since I love my family and enjoy spending time with them, I’m passionate about Christmas, and I promote creating cherished memories by spending time with those you love it seems that “A Geeky Christmas” is a rather appropriate title, and one I can take great joy in using. But, most importantly, our celebrations were designed so we could all simply be ourselves and have a good time. We smiled, we laughed, we hugged and we’ve been telling stories about it for weeks afterward. Those are the signs of a successful family celebration.

So as you plan your events throughout 2012 let that be your overriding concern – Can my guests and I enjoy ourselves? After all, it’s not about impression, it’s not about keeping up with those crazy Joneses; it’s about you, your family, and your friends having a good time. You want to plan fun celebrations so simply be yourself and enjoy!

Blending Two New Years

Last Monday’s show was all about New Year’s, the traditional New Year and Chinese New Year. Either way you look at it the holiday ends up being about getting your ‘house’ in order; that can mean making your life better through your New Year’s resolutions or literally cleaning your home and getting rid of the clutter.

What I really love about the Chinese New Year is that it’s based on the lunar calendar so it arrives a few weeks into the new calendar year. That gives me time to de-clutter the house and scrub the floors which I like to do after the holidays. It also gives me time to ponder and to create some real, attainable goals. Let’s face it, December and the holiday season is just way too busy to spend time on introspection.

So, if you feel like the New Year ship sailed without you then I invite you to join me on the Chinese New Year ship. You can learn more about it as well as the truth about New Year’s resolutions on the Jan. 9th episode of the Heart Filled Holidays radio show.

If you’re looking for some tips for de-cluttering your home check out these de-cluttering tips and tricks. (and only choose one at a time or you’ll end up frustrated and with a bigger mess than before:)

If you want some quick cleaning tips check out these six tips for cleaning your house fast.

Celebrating Epiphany, the Arrival of the Three Kings

It’s January 6th and it’s another day of celebration. This is Epiphany, the day the three kings arrived and baby Jesus received his presents. In many traditions this is the day that gifts are given and celebrations are held. If you feel like you’ve lost something in your Christmas season, things were too rushed, or you simply want another chance to celebrate, this is a golden opportunity. It’s also a wonderful time to talk to your kids about the reason you celebrate Christmas and to share stories and your beliefs with them.

Celebrations can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. You can invite family and friends to join you or keep it small. Simply decide what you want in your celebration then go for it! Here are a few tips and ideas:

Bake a King’s Cake  - This is an old tradition where a cake is baked with little tidbits inside. In New Orleans the traditional King Cake is  decorated in green, yellow and purple and a little plastic baby is baked inside. Whoever finds the baby in their slice has to host the next party. In other places the cake has coins (boiled for 5 minutes to sterilize them) or bits of fruit baked into it. Whoever finds the special treats will follow a local tradition ranging from saying a special prayer during the day to having good luck for the upcoming year. Whatever you choose to do with your cake here is a fun and simple recipe.

Host an Epiphany Parade – Dress up members of the family as the three kings and parade through your home, ending the parade at the nativity scene where you can give gifts to baby Jesus.

Bless Your House – This is the traditional time to give your home a blessing for the upcoming year. It’s a simple blessing accompanied by writing the year and the initials of the wise men over each door coming into the house.

Exchange Gifts – You can exchange all of your gifts, save one, or hold a special exchange on this day. There are many options and it’s fun way to extend the spirit of the season.

Give a Gift to Christ – This is the day that Jesus received his gifts and it creates a wonderful opportunity to give back. You can spend time in prayer or meditation, visit a shut-in, or volunteer in your community. It’s a perfect opportunity to add a little meaning to our season of celebration.

Get Crafty – As with any celebration, this is a good time to do crafts with your kids. You can create and paint epiphany stars, color in coloring pages, make a camel and wise man silhouette, or make paper crowns.

Decorate, and Un-decorate – Epiphany can be a fun time to do a little extra decorating and at the end of the day tradition says it’s time to take the decorations down. This can be a fun family activity followed up with a meal or dessert.

This is a wonderful opportunity to create fun and meaning in your holiday season, to host a children’s Epiphany party for your kids and their friends, to catch up with those you missed during December, or simply to add that extra bit to your celebrations. Enjoy!

One Simple Way to Succeed at New Year’s Resolutions

2012 is here and people are making New Year’s resolutions like crazy. But the question is, “Are you making New Year’s resolutions stick?”

This is one of the places where I see women struggle and it’s a prime area for creating stress and lowering self-esteem. Some people think that if they just get good ideas for New Year’s resolutions, or if they make easy New Year’s resolutions, that will fix everything. Maybe it will. That might work for you, but I have another suggestion. If you’ve struggled with failed New Year’s resolutions in the past then consider simply establishing a new habit instead. Instead of creating a complicated, or emotionally charged resolution, simply choose one new habit you’d like to have in your life and create it.

Creating a new habit is a simple process. Start by deciding what habit you’d like to create. Keep it simple and be clear. Then decide to do this for the next 21 days. That’s it. You don’t have to make a major commitment. You don’t have to make a lifetime decision. Simply commit to doing this for 21 days. Then outline the parameters for your habit,  and tie it to another place or activity that is already a constant in your life if you can.

If you want to succeed at your New Year’s resolutions and have struggled in the past then making new habits is a simple way to make New Year’s resolutions stick!