While the Christmas tree may be the focal point for holiday decorating, paying attention to the other features of your home, like a staircase or fireplace, can have a huge impact on the overall sense of warmth and hospitality of the season.

Elaine Martin of Vintage Gardener, who is also a Home Stager with Dan Cooper’s Royal LePage Real Estate team, enjoys holiday season decorating because it’s a reminder of childhood memories, as it is for many people. Since friends and family enjoy gathering around a warm hearth, it’s a great focal point for holiday decorating.

“If you have a fireplace, I would start with that,” Martin said. “It’s the cozy spot where people like to nest. Starting with the mantle will give you the biggest bang for your buck.”

Martin suggests purchasing some inexpensive roping of greenery or garland then buying extra accessories and start stuffing them into the garland. “Everyone will ask you where you got it, thinking you bought it.”

Whatever accessories you choose, make sure to follow the colour theme similar to putting together a fashion look. For example, this year Martin is using magnolia leaves, especially for its golden colour. To that she adds incense cedar, golden curly willow and huge pine cones.

Because it’s somewhat of a work of art and no two garlands are the same, you can add other elements as well. “This is the right time of year to get a little fussier, “Martin added. “The project evolves as you go along.”

Martin’s studio is located in Toronto’s historic Distillery District where she offers decorating classes as well. For more information visit www.vintagegardener.com.

More Decorating Tips

• Hanging the traditional stockings but also consider hanging soft toys
  
  
• Place ornaments in glass bowls alongside of candles
  
  
• Large flower arrangements are popularHang balls of contrasting colours -- try metallic shades
  
  
• If there’s a wall behind the fireplace, decorate it with stars of different colours and sizes.