Description:
Open to virtually any page of the voluminous Holiday Inspirations and you'll find a good-looking photograph showing a way to bring holiday magic into your home. Start with decorating ideas that flow all through the house and into the yard: furniture spruce-ups, tablescapes, indoor and outdoor lighting, festive accessories like pillows and lamp trims, even ways to give your spare room a Christmas makeover to delight overnight guests. Then choose from a wide range of styles to achieve the perfectly dressed tree, splendid wreaths, and lovely ornaments. Select from among dozens of recipes to stage a wine-and-cheese party, serve a multicourse Christmas dinner, host a New Year's feast, bake up a dessert bonanza, and more. Give thoughtful, handmade presents such as a themed basket that caters to the book or movie lover; pamper a friend with a collection of home-spa goodies; or whip up some easy gifts in the kitchen. Then package it all with some clever wrapping tips. Encourage the kids to get involved, too--check out the chapter devoted exclusively to things youngsters can make, including cards, ornaments, and cookies. Holiday Inspirations is not geared solely to Christmas. Hanukkah makes an appearance in a number of recipes and several decorating ideas, and there are a few Kwanzaa recipes as well. Most projects throughout the book are quite easy and feature step-by-step directions when necessary, but rather than a project-driven format this is a book of ideas, and there are lots of good ones here. --Amy Handy
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