Holiday Decorating on a Stage: Thanksgiving Edition

Some of you might be facing an interesting dilemma right about now: your house is staged, and the holidays are coming. At no other time of the year are traditions more important, and it is very difficult to take the personal element out of the holidays. If you're like most people, you probably have decorations from family heirlooms to children's crafts to everything in between. I know my mom still brings out the pinecone turkey I made in 3rd grade--faded construction paper finger-feathers, and all.

So, I understand this could be a difficult time. Here's what I recommend: if you do not have children, consider using some fairly generic but tasteful holiday decorations--maybe a couple of small seasonal topiaries on the mantle, or a wicker cornucopia with baby gourds in it on the dining room table. Underscore the season with an appropriately-colored table runner, welcome mat or kitchen towels. A wreath of fall leaves and pinecones would make a nice addition to the entryway. Now is the time when you can use the pumpkin-spice plug in air freshener--it is seasonally appropriate.

If you have young children, they will inevitably bring home crafts from school, day care or Sunday school. Encourage them to give some of the crafts to relatives or special friends, but set up a small children's table and chairs in a corner of the bedroom, family room or play room. Tastefully display the craft items on the table, and arrange a couple of stuffed animals in small chairs at the table. Displaying the items all in one place in an area that makes sense rather than scattering them thoughout the house will strike a balance between having children help decorate and having their decorations take over the refrigerator door.