The winter holiday season offers exciting home decor and accessories that brings smiles to people's faces. Staring at the beautifully decorated store displays and the latest seasonal styles can inspire contemplation on how to incorporate just a little bit of that holiday magic into your own home.

Top designers across the country have created thousands of alluring items that reflect both current and upcoming trends. It's easy to get trapped in the thought that if you could only purchase it all, your home would be a showcase. But when reality hits, you remember the holiday budget and the time involved; and you picture all of those boxes of decorations stacked in the basement corner.

So how do you find the time (and money) to create an elegant holiday home? Holiday decorating doesn't need to evoke anxiety. It may bring a sigh of relief to know that the first rule is to keep it simple. These steps will help you on your way.

Simple, yet elegant holiday decorating begins with assessing what you already have. Pull open those boxes from the basement and take a quick scan over the contents. Your likes and dislikes immediately tell you what is important; so, without hesitation, pull out those items and set them aside. Continue until all of your favorite decorations lay before you.

This year, do without all of the cluttering knickknacks that have accumulated. Have you ever heard the saying, "Live with what you love and get rid of the rest?" That is the goal as you set aside only items that excite you. Be sure to include the basics, such as the tree, garland, lights, and perhaps a few candles.

The Meaning of "One"

The goal of your holiday decor can best translate into the word "one." One theme. Take all of the items you've set aside and divide them into separate themes: snowmen, nativity, whimsical objects, etc. Depending on the variety of your collection, it would be nice to use just one theme for the whole house; but if your items are an assortment of pieces you can use a different theme for a bedroom or bathroom. Try to maintain the same the theme in all of the rooms where guests congregate. For this example, we'll use the theme of snowmen.

"One" Color Insync

The next step is to choose "one" color. This is where the latest trends can update your collection. Remember those store windows you were admiring? What was the newest color out? Let's say it is gold. Make only those new purchases that fit your color and your theme. Purchase several boxes of inexpensive gold bulbs varying in size and shape, and wide gold ribbon at your local discount store. Purchase some gold picks from your local craft store. Picks are small sticks with decorative ends that can range from greenery, berries, to tiny bulbs and packages. Now you're ready to begin.

Putting it together

So now you have your snowmen and the glorious gold accents. What do you do?

Take all of your theme groupings and place them on your fireplace mantel, shelving, sofa tables, etc. Where you can, put a strand of garland and lights around the items, laying it so that it curves, droops and looks natural. Shorter strands work well on an end table, whereas longer ones can highlight a buffet. Don't forget to add garland to the banister if you have one.

Using the "one" color of gold, accent all of the items you've placed around the house, tying everything together for a professionally-decorated look. Add big gold bulbs along with little ones all around your snowmen, clumping a few once in awhile to add interest. Take your gold picks and poke them into the garlands.

Don't forget to maintain your theme with your tree, using lights, snowmen, and a variety of gold balls and picks. As you complete the tree, and glance over your shoulder at the other coordinating decorations in the room, you're sure to surprise yourself with satisfaction and amazement.

Later, as you find time to wrap presents, top them with the wide, gold ribbon you purchased, being sure to make large impressive bows. Strategically place your presents under the tree spacing them until they please the eye.

The last guideline is to welcome your guests with a grand first impression. To accomplish this you will need some type of decoration on your door or front step. If you have a wreath, garland or topiary left from last year, tear it apart and remake it using the same items you used throughout the interior.

Voila!

Once your guests arrive and you open the front door, their eyes will catch the wonder and beauty of your professionally decorated home, all done by you! They will stand there transfixed, just as you had days before, when staring at the store displays. Their moment of awe-inspiring silence will announce you've done well!

Janet Baltosser has over twelve years of interior design experience. Her business, Inside Designs, specializes in residential interior design.