Making Your Home Look Like A Movie Set This Christmas

Want to make your home look like something out of a movie this Christmas? Although your home might often look and feel festive thanks to using tonnes of decorations, it might never feel the same as when you were young. Homes look like something out of a movie set when you grow up. They feel super cozy and inviting. 

You can achieve this same sense of childhood/movie set festivities at home with these tips.

Photo by Brett Sayles: https://www.pexels.com/photo/lighted-christmas-tree-1708601/

Seek professional help with the lights

The lights might be the most difficult thing to manage when putting up the Christmas decorations. They get tangled and frustrate you, causing you to put them up in a hurry and ruining the outcome. Instead, seek professional help. 

Using professional Christmas Light Installation will transform the festive feel of your home. Installing the lights and decorations yourself takes time and exhausts you, and you might not always be happy with the results. When a professional takes the lead, your home will look like something out of a movie, making the season cozier and more festive than ever before.

Change the lighting 

If you want to stay sane in the run-up to Christmas and guarantee your home looks its best, it can help to change the lighting. New ambient lighting can create a calming atmosphere, helping you feel relaxed amidst the festive chaos. 

Further, you can warm up your home and make it feel more inviting with new lighting. Cozy, warm, ambient bulbs will make your rooms feel like those out of a festive movie. Can you tell that lighting is key at Christmas? Hence, make sure to get the lighting perfect.

Choose a Christmas movie theme to decorate your home

Choose a theme that evokes the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas film to decorate your home this festive season. Choosing a theme will direct your decor decisions, whether it's the classic elegance of "It's a Wonderful Life," the wacky charm of "Home Alone," or the enchanting coziness of "The Holiday." 

For a sentimental, classic style, pay attention to red and green colors, plaid patterns, and antique ornaments. 

Set up your festive table

Setting the table at the beginning of the season is wise if you want to decorate your home like a classic Christmas movie. A gorgeously decorated dinner table is a common sight in Christmas films. Start with a colorful tablecloth or runner in eye-catching hues or patterns that go well with your theme to create a show-stopping tabletop. Arrange sophisticated place settings on the table, such as charger plates, fine china, and crystal glasses.

Add candles for a soft, romantic glow and incorporate seasonal accents into your centerpiece, such as pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and holly sprigs. Personalized place cards and festive serviette rings can elevate the occasion and give your guests the impression that they are having dinner in a scene straight out of a holiday movie.

It is a wonderful feeling when your home feels cozy and festive, so follow these steps for the ultimate movie-like Christmas home. 

Staying Sane in the Run-Up to Christmas

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The run-up to Christmas is often one of the most stressful times of year for many people, especially for those of us who have kids. There is so much to do to get ready for the big day and so much pressure to ensure that the celebrations go off without a hitch, that we can end up driving ourselves mad.

If that sounds all too familiar to you, and you want to ensure that the period leading up to Christmas is a much more pleasant, stress-free one this year, here are a few things you should do.

Plan in advance

One of the best ways to avoid losing your head in the run-up to Christmas is to plan as much as you can as far in advance as you can. Yes, it might seem weird thinking about Christmas weeks, even months before the big day, but if you can get things sorted like how many people will be coming for dinner, what you plan to buy the kids, how much traveling you will be doing, and so on, you can plan to get everything done in a stress-free way in the lead-up, and you will be able to find more time to relax.

Share the load

Some people, especially moms, think they need to take on the burden of Christmas alone. They want everything to be perfect and they think that they need to be in control of every aspect of the planning as result. This really is not the case. You can hand off various tasks to other members of the family and it will work out fine. So, let the kids scour the internet for the perfect Christmas tree images for your blog’s festive theme, allow your husband to handle sourcing the turkey and organizing the invitations for your holiday guests, and ensure as much of the load is shared as possible and you will have a much less stressful time of it. You really don’t have to do it all.

Do it all in advance

If you want the run-up to Christmas to be as easy as possible, then do everything you can do in advance of time. From buying and wrapping your Christmas gifts, to making decorations, there are so many aspects of Christmas you can do far in advance of the day itself. Heck, you can even cook various elements of your Christmas meal ahead of time and freeze it so that you can actually kick back and relax on Christmas day instead of running around the kitchen like a headless chicken.

Say no more often

During the holiday season, it is not unusual for us to receive far more invitations to parties and events than we usually do. If you don’t want to feel frazzled in the run-up to Christmas, it would be sensible to start saying no to more of those invitations. Obviously, if you want to attend an event you should do so and it would probably be a bad idea to say no to the kids’ nativity play, but if you don’t want to do it, say no and do not feel guilty about it because you deserve to enjoy the holiday season just as much as anyone else.

Simplify

Of course, the one thing that will really help you to stay sane is opting for a simpler, more minimalist Christmas with just close family members and a nice low-key dinner on the day, maybe some party games and a festive movie with the kids. This kind of Christmas might sound basic, but it can be a lot more enjoyable because you will be a lot less stressed!

Plan some fun activities

Getting ready for Christmas can be a lot of work, especially if you are planning an elaborate celebration, so it can be good to ensure that you have lots of little things to look forward to in the run-up to the big day, For example, you could plan some fun Christmas crafts to do with the kids, book a holiday tip to see Santa, indulge in some retail therapy, or even just carve some time out where you can relax in your favorite chair with a glass of egg-nog and a good book. The festive season should be fun!

As you can see, there are lots of things you can do to ensure that the run-up to Christmas is far less stressful and far more enjoyable than ever before, because the holidays really should not have such a negative impact on your wellbeing. 

3 Things You Better Have Sorted Before Christmas Week!

 

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Often around this time of year, it can seem like everyone else in the world is having fun and enjoying themselves. However, the story can be quite different for us moms! Yes, that's right, for moms, there is usually so much to do over Christmas that it can become quite stressful and overwhelming. Of course, if we get organized and complete things ahead of time, it is possible to have a more relaxed and fun Christmas week. Luckily you can find out which jobs are essential to complete before the week of Christmas in the post below. 

Cleaning your home inside and out 

One thing that you don't want to have to worry about come Christmas is whether your house is clean. That is why it's vital that you break the back of this work before Christmas week begins. 

With that in mind, a deep clean of the home at the beginning of December can work very well. Then you will only need to run the vacuum around occasionally as it gets closer to the 25th. It's also a smart idea to make sure that all your recycling bins are empty and clean as you will likely have more stuff to go in them than you usually do. 

Cleaning the outside of your home is just as important as making sure the inside is spick and span. After all, you won't want to hang outside lights on a home that doesn't look its best. Not to mention that you will want things to look as pleasing as possible for when visitors call. 

The good news is, you don't have to clean the outside areas of your home yourself. Instead, why not get a cleaning company that offers pressure washing to do your drive and pathways. You can even ask them to pressure wash your outside walls, making your home look almost brand new for the Christmas season! 

Buying and wrapping gifts

The fantastic deals on offer as December progresses may tempt you to leave gift buying to the last minute. However, it's probably not worth the stress of rushing around trying to locate things, or worrying that stuff will run out! 

Instead, make sure that all of your gift-buying and your wrapping is done well before the week of Christmas. Then all you need to do is sit back with some eggnog and enjoy yourself. 

Just be sure to label each gift securely, as you don't want tags falling off and leaving you in a position where you cannot remember what gift is for whom! 

Clean and stock the freezer 

Finally, for most families, the Christmas period means good food and feasting. Indeed many families enjoy all sorts of culinary treats such as party food, and large joints of roasted meat along with all the trimmings. 

Of course, the most time-efficient and convenient way of offering this type of food is to buy it frozen and then cook it on the day. Something that means, most people need to clean out their freezer in early December before they can begin stocking it with delicious food. 

Secret Santas and Matching Pajamas: Our Family's Holiday Tradition

The months have gone by so fast. A lot of things have happened and the world is still finding ways to control the spread of the Corona virus. Many of us are still trying to adjust to this new normal. 

In a few months it will be Christmas again. Although we are still unsure of what the following months would bring, it does not mean we will forego with the family traditions we all look forward to every year.

I grew up in a closely knit family and we make sure that Christmas day is reserved for our annual family reunion. We bring our best homemade cookies and cakes, casseroles and pies, pasta and appetizers to be shared with everyone.

The fun only starts there. We also do a Secret Santa and a family pajama photo contest. My grandmother is the judge and every one goes out of their way to find the "winning pajama set" because that would mean a big prize from Gramma. 

This year, I am dead set on winning that prize. I found this cool online store that sells the cutest pajamas! LazyOne family pajamas have so many designs to choose from. They all look so soft and comfy and are reasonably priced! My husband and I have already made a few choices. 

We have not reached a consensus yet. My sons have not yet picked the design they like. I am suggesting one with red as a dominant color because I believe that red is always beautiful in photographs. LazyOne has so many beautiful designs it is difficult to choose only one. We might as well get more than one set! 

We are also going to practice posing for the camera. A wacky pose would make my grandmother laugh so that is what we would probably do. We will have to make a final choice so that I can place an order for our Christmas family pajama set. 

Does your family enjoy wearing matching pajamas too? What are your family holiday traditions? Leave a comment below and let me know. 

The Best Christmas Song For Me: "Mary, Did You Know?" (Ceelo Green version)

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Every year as Christmas time approaches, the world goes crazy with gift guides, shopping tips and deals, decorations and special recipes.

Not me

Being a Christian, I feel that Christmas is the time to reflect on the true meaning for the celebration. It is the birth of our Lord Jesus. It is his birthday. A baby born into this world to suffer for our sins. A selfless sacrifice. It makes me sad because my sins put Him on the Cross.

Christmas has been too commercialized

I understand that gift giving is a manifestation of a Christian value of sharing our blessings, however, we must not be too preoccupied with shopping for gifts that we forget to teach the children that receiving toys and new clothes is not what Christmas is all about.

Don't get me wrong. I am no Scrooge or Grinch. I am not saying this because I don't have money for shopping. (Well, actually, I really don't have money for lavish gifts). I am not being bitter because I can't buy the things I like or travel to places I want to see. I just want to share how I truly feel. 

Praying for health for my family, protection from harm, peace in our hearts, and realization of dreams

Intangible gifts. These are the best gifts anyone can ever receive. Those four things I mentioned are the gifts I wish to receive this Christmas from my Lord God. I know He is All Good, and He has plans for me. I may not receive all these blessings at one time but I know that He will provide these to me in His Time. 

The Christmas song that speaks of my faith

Sharing this music video that never fails to bring tears to my eyes. 

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to the blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby, you kissed the face of God

Oh Mary did you know? Mary did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?

That sleeping child you're holding is the Great I am

Thoughts to ponder: 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

We have sinned and continue to sin and yet despite our misgivings, God still loves us and showers us with His blessings. 

As I welcome the sunrise every day, I will be grateful for that one more chance to make myself worthy of His Love. 

Have a blessed and meaningful Christmas.

Minimizing the Cost of Gifting Over the Upcoming Months

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Sure, it may only be September, so many of us would argue that it’s way too early to start thinking about the festive period. But anyone with a host of people to buy for will be familiar with the stress and cost of buying gifts for Christmas throughout December. Seeing as the majority of people leave buying presents until the last minute, you can find yourself forking out more to get what you want for the big day. But not to worry. There are a few different ways to save money and minimise the costs of what can be a relatively expensive period. Here are just a few steps to achieve this!

Coming Up With Ideas

First, create a list of all of the items that you want to buy for your loved ones. This means that you know exactly what you need to pick up, and can prevent you from purchasing unnecessary bits and bobs. So many people waste huge sums of money getting little items that they really don’t need to. Whether you intend to buy a toiletry bag, an e-reader, perfume, or luxury skincare products, note them down. Creating a list minimizes unnecessary spending and also means that you can keep an eye out for good offers on individual items.

Start Shopping Early

High demand items tend to completely sell out over the festive period. This means that you have to resort to purchasing goods from third party resellers with significantly higher costs. If you start shopping early, you can bag items for their original price, saving yourself stress and extra cash down the line. As well as saving cash, starting early also frees up your time, giving you more time to enjoy the festive period yourself rather than rushing around shops.

Make the Most of Black Friday

Black Friday falls on the 23rd November every year. It started as a trend in the United States, as it falls on the day after Thanksgiving celebrations, but now it is engaged with around the world. Essentially, it is a day when retailers host huge sales, cutting the prices of their stock in order to draw as many customers in as possible during a period when there is generally a slump in sales. Make the most of this day when it comes to buying gifts. You may have to store them away for around a month before you can hand them to their recipients, but you might as well grab them while they have a low costs, rather than waiting a couple more weeks and paying double the price or even more.

These are just a few ideas that can help you to minimize spending over the upcoming season. Sure, some people would argue that starting plans this early is over the top. However, just think of all of the money that you could save! This could be used for extra treats to make the holiday season particularly memorable, such as meals out, ice skating, attending Christmas markets, and much more. Alternatively, you could save your extra cash for the January sale season.

Geeky Gift Ideas

It’s the time of year where you have to begin thinking about the ones you love, and what they might want for Christmas. There’s so many ideas that you’ll have for so many different people. But we all have that one person in our life that we really struggle to buy for. Fortunately for you, there’s things that you can put on everyone’s Christmas gift list, technology. Everyone loves some form of tech, and luckily for you there’s enough new tech being created all year round, so you won’t have to search far for the perfect gift. If you’re still thinking about what tech you can get people, here is some ideas that everyone will love.

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Gaming

A lot of people out there really love gaming. It’s fun, and there’s just such a variety for everyone out there. If you’re struggling for one gift idea, a console or a game for a previously owned console. A great new console out at the minute is the Nintendo Switch. It was only released a few months ago, but it has already captured the hearts of families all of the world. It is a portable playing system you can either play alone or two player. Two remotes attach to the board that holds the game. It is so much fun for bringing the whole family together, it is definitely something anyone would love as a gift, but especially your younger children.

There’s also online and app gaming that some gamers really love. It is another way of getting immersed into the world of gaming, but in a more competitive nature. There are some great massive multiplayer online role playing games that hook people all around the world. If you know you have a geeky gamer in your life, treat them to something like the new Final Fantasy game. You can pay for it to play on the internet, which offers a more responsive gaming experience, or you can get Final Fantasy 15 on mobile  so they can play it on the go. It’s a game that they can really get into, there’s quests to complete and friends to be made. It’s a game for a true gamer who appreciates online role playing games. If you know someone like this, it’s definitely worth getting for them.

Virtual Reality

This sort of comes under gaming, but there’s a bit more to virtual reality than just that. Yes, it is mainly for gaming at the minute. Big gaming giants such as Playstation have brought out their own version of it, but none of the other gaming platforms have as of yet. It’s the perfect gift to just wow someone. If you buy the playstation one, you can get tonnes of games with it. It’ll really make them feel like they’re being immersed in the game. But, as we said, it isn’t all about gaming. You can watch films on there, or just make it so that you’re in amongst nature. One time they could be walking through Lapland, the next the Amazon rainforest. That feeling of leaving reality is perfect for anyone.

Speakers

Everyone loves a bit of music, so speakers are pretty much the perfect gift for anyone. This year has seen some really cool sound systems be produced, at a cost that isn’t really that expensive. Make sure you know the person well though. Are they the type that’s going to online want it in the house? If this is the case you can go bigger and better. Or are they someone who would probably like to take it on the move? Maybe the travel a lot etc. If that’s the case then there’s so many portable speakers built by high end companies that offer some crisp and clear sound. Or, going back to someone who might only stay at home, you could look into the Google home, or Amazon Echo. They’re two new systems that have been developed this year. They also aid daily life as well as being a speaker. They can make notes, set alarms, and even be connected up to parts of the house if you have the means to do so. Just one little command and they can turn the lights off as well as many other cool things. They speaker system side of it is also really clear, definitely worth a buy.

Those were just a few geeky gift ideas that’s bound to make a few different people in your life very happy. With Christmas only around the corner, it’s time to get that Christmas shopping on the go.