Here are 3 of my favorite decorating ideas from the fabulous 15 you can find at GoodHousekeeping.com this month!  Party like a patriot and get the red, white and blue pumping through your guests’ veins.   With these special touches, everyone will feel the spirit of the holiday and you can be FREE to enjoy your day too, because they’re easy to do!

For safer-than-sparklers favors, fill a pail full with red, white and blue pinwheels.  Try making  cheery DIY scrapbook-paper pinwheels mounted on slim wooden dowels yourself ( the how-to instructions. ) or if it’s sweat equity not money you want to save buy a bunch at the local party store.

Let the Fourth of July party spirit blossom with all-white flowers like hydrangeas in a vase that evokes the stars and stripes.  For instructions go>

I am crazy about this decorating idea which uses red and white striped dish towels and a zip lock bag full of blue hydrangeas.  For the simple to make but oh so special look go>

Image and Craft Directions From the Good Housekeeping Website

I love this Easter table idea from Good Housekeeping, it makes great fun for the kids’ table! Plus this one is fun to make with the kids and is inexpensive too. Create different versions for each place setting and personalize each if your are assigning seats at your table. You can add jelly beans and treat each one of your little guests to an Easter basket designed by you!

Directions:

A patterned paper plate creates a fresh-as-spring table setting. For the basket, flip a 7-inch square plate over; cut out a 1 1/2-inch square from each corner. Fold up the sides of the plate as shown; with hole punch, create two adjacent holes at corners. Thread in 3 inches of ribbon and knot.

Fill with paper grass and a chocolate rabbit.

Then craft a disposable placemat from inexpensive wrapping paper: To do: Trace a standard 12″ x 16″ mat onto the back of your paper (opt for heavier stock papers for best results); cut out placemat.

To create a trim, snip out a strip of solid colored paper roughly an inch wide and as tall as your placemat (12 inches). Affix with double-sided tape under the strip.

Be sure to check out the other Easter Paper Crafts ideas at GoodHousekeeping.com>

This goes out to my sister Donna’s friend Dina from Cedar Grove, NJ. Like many families, Dina hosts a crowd for the Holidays. Sit down dinners are not possible, but creating a pretty tablescape still is – you just need to alter the plan.

The image above illustrates a simple but special way for you to decorate your buffet table. All you need is a pretty pitcher, some pussy willow branches or twigs from your yard and a few colorful hanging egg ornaments (you can string your own too). Add greens and a daffodil or two if you have them to make the arrangement fuller if that is your preference.  Then make up a few pitchers and place them anywhere you have set out your buffet stations. It won’t cost a lot and it will make the table feel festive. The branches give necessary height to your buffet and the eggs will add a punch of color! Plus remember all that gorgeous food, let it be the star!

Global color authority Pantone has declared 2010 as the year of turquoise, referencing its color no. 15-5519. This green shade of turquoise combines “the serene aspects of blue” with “the invigorating aspects of green,” according to the company.   It’s the reason this color is the perfect pick for a spring table and what better time to turn your table turquoise than Easter.   Dye your Easter eggs turquoise and place 1 in nests made from a white peony ( use a footed ice cream dish as your vase).  Create bunnies to sit on each place setting with crisp white napkins.   Add turquoise to your table with a bowl, salad plate or go all out with a new set of dishes!

Above is an inspiration board for you full of ideas for achieving this look in your home.  Below are the “where to buy” and “how to” source links.   If you try it, let us see it and send in your pictures – we’ll post them here.

Peonies Nest Centerpieces from Better Homes and Gardens

Simply Fine Lenox® Chirp 4-pc Place Setting

Hanging Easter Egg by Paula Egan

Fiesta Dinnerware from Kohl’s

How to fold a Bunny Napkin

Turquoise Table Runner

Last year I tried naturally dying my Easter Eggs with the skins of red onions, hoping to get purple eggs. Instead they came out looking like Chocolate. I actually liked the way they look and how natural they appeared. My kids had to do a double take to see if they were real eggs or ones made from chocolate.

• Start by peeling the skins from Red Onions .
• Add to a generous amount of water with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
• Bring the skins to a boil and add the eggs .
• Once the eggs turn chocolate brown, take them out to dry and add them to your Easter display.

Chair decor is a simple way to add a special touch to your holiday table.  Decorate your dining chairs with ribbons, bows, bells, greens and evan a pillowcase can double as a clever way to cover the back of a chair.  Don’t have chair covers or have chairs with backs too large for a pillowcase?  No worries, get your hands on some festive and inexpensive material. With the material, cut long skinny rectangles, like a table runner only shorter, with zigzag scissors.   Cut one for each chair and hang them over the backs. Then fasten each by tying them with a pretty ribbon width-wise around the chair.  I have done this before and it looks great.  Have fun with it, your guests and family will appreciate the special touch!

To view instructions for the images above and for more great ideas use the links below:

Mistletoe Chair from BHG.com

Garland Chair from BHG.com

Bows and Greens from Interiordezine.com

Planning on a kid’s table this year? If so, make it the destination of choice for the little ones at your Christmas celebration.

When setting a children-only table, use bright primary colors. For Christmas, red and green are perfect. Use fun items, like the Santa hat pictured above or a stocking or mitten to mark each place setting. Remember to use age appropriate utensils and cups; and it’s fine to go with disposable. For the centerpiece, you’ll obviously want to stay away from candles and expensive flower arrangements. Swap these for jars filled with candy canes or gum drops or use pedestals layered with Christmas cookies. You may want to remove these items from the table while the kids eat dinner and return them for dessert. When serving dessert, put candles on your cake, pie or cupcakes and let the kids sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus!

Show your young guests that you spent time on their table and they will feel special too. It’s great training ground and a perfect opportunity to teach proper table etiquette.

The Kids Table from BHG.com

Going all white can really make a big impression.  It’s a simple but very elegant way to dress the holiday table and puts the focus on your feast!  It’s also a good way to save money, since a white tablecloth and napkins will work as a great base for your table all year.  

HOW TO: Start with all white linens and white (or cream) dishes, then add a special touch and festive feel by embellishing each place setting.  To stay consistent with the monochromatic look of the table when doing this, stick to natural colors or metallic, like silver or gold.  Decorate plain white napkins by tying them with ribbon or using a pinecone.  Another very simple way to create a special place setting is to decorate each plate with a small Christmas card (with a personal message to each guest) or small gift (like an ornament) wrapped in gold or silver paper with a pretty bow. For the centerpiece, use candlesticks in varying heights with white, silver or gold candles.  Then scatter a few pinecones or gold and silver Christmas balls at the base of the candlesticks. This will create a magazine-worthy look for your holiday table and make your guests feel special!

The images above came from Channel 4 .  Their website is well worth a visit as it is packed with great holiday ideas for everything from wrapping gifts to decorating your wreath.

I love this simple and special way to set the table for each or one special night of Hanukkah. All you need are the items below and a sharp scissors to create this classic look.  The image and idea came from a Swiss Site I follow, called Foodie.   I have reposted their directions below, but visit the site for other ideas and recipes for Hannukah.

What you’ll need:

• White linen napkins
• Linen or felt placemat
• Menorah
• Ceramic bowls
• Candles

- Try to aim for earthy, muted tones with hints of blue.

- Print out a Star of David trace and cut it out on blue paper.

I wanted to share some inspiration with you for decorating this holiday. If you are not in the mood for Red and Green, try Retro Blue and Cherry Red. There is something about this color combo that feels like Christmas to me . Below are some links to more information and resources on each image in the collage. Hope you enjoy!  

• Blue Christmas BHG
• Uniquely You Noosa
• Porter House Designs
• Country Living 
• Red Stamp invitations
• House and Home
• Martha Stewart Living