It’s a wonderful time of year! With Christmas just around the corner, thoughts turn to inviting family and friends over to enjoy good food and better conversation. There’s frosted cookies, fudge, divinity, and other goodies waiting in the kitchen, and eggnog, hot chocolate, and mulled cider for the guests to enjoy. It’s so pleasant to relax and enjoy the company and the goodies, especially when you can gather in front of a crackling fire set in your beautiful fireplace. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, you probably have it all decked out in holiday cheer, and that just adds to the festive spirit of the season!

Decorating for the HolidaysSafe Decorating For Christmas

Decorating the mantel is an easy way to bring the holidays into your home. One way to make your mantel look Christmasy is to add an old-fashioned lantern and set it amid some evergreen boughs. Add a candle, red bows and pine cones and you’ll have a beautiful conversation piece. To keep things safe, instead of using a real candle, use one of the new-style battery operated candles. These look realistic and take the worry out of having a lit candle amid the greens. Hang your stockings in front of the fire and you’ll add a cheery, old-fashioned ambiance to the room.

If you have room on the wall above the mantel, it’s easy to add your Christmas style to the room. Just buy a beautiful holiday wreath and hang it up to tie in the classic look of evergreen boughs with the rest of your decorated room. If you like a more contemporary look, go to your favorite craft store and look over the array of Christmas pictures they offer. A rustic looking wooden sign can help make your guests feel welcome by proclaiming words of holiday cheer. Just add some greenery and twinkling lights and you’re sure to make your guests feel welcome.

Christmas Trees and Other Decorations

Most of us have lots of Christmas decorations ready to be put out, and when you add your Christmas tree to the mix, it doesn’t take long for the room to ooze holiday charm. Once the presents fill the space under the tree, you know it won’t be long until everyone is ready to meet for the celebrating. It may be tempting to put the tree right next to the fireplace; that’s a photo opportunity in the making! But keep in mind that your tree is definitely a fire hazard. One stray spark from your fireplace and you could have a roaring, out-of-control fire on your hands. This is such an easy fix. Just make sure that your tree is at least three feet away from the fireplace, and that includes presents as well.

Call Old Dominion Chimneys

If you need advice on how to keep your holidays safe this year, give Old Dominion Chimneys a call. We have great tips to make sure that you enjoy every minute of the holiday season without worry or stress about your fireplace. Have a great holiday season!