An independent guide to preparing and decorating your home for the holidays. We do not sell goods or provide services and are not connected with the former website on this domain. String lights and candles: only per the instructions and under supervision.
Tools
You do not need a workshop for holiday decor. A few simple things are enough to hang decorations without damaging the walls, make something by hand and then pack it all away neatly. Below is what really comes in handy and how to use it, with no manufacturer names.
A steady stepladder protects the holiday better than the prettiest string of lights.
How this section works: we list items by purpose and do not name brands or models. Use electrical appliances and tools strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
A small kit that helps both when decorating the home and when cleaning up after the holiday.
You need one to hang lights near the ceiling or lift boxes down from a high shelf. Set it on a level floor, open it fully and do not lean far to the side: it is easier to climb down and move it. A stool on a chair is no substitute for a stepladder.
Adhesive hooks, clips for curtain rods and windowsills and shelf clamps let you hang decor without marking the walls. Before hanging anything, check the instructions for which surface and weight they suit.
One pair of sharp scissors for paper and fabric, another, sturdier pair for branches. Keep a utility knife closed and out of children's reach.
Quickly joins pine cones, branches and fabric. The tip and the glue get very hot, so work on a stand, never leave a switched-on glue gun unattended and do not give it to young children.
Lidded boxes, ornament dividers, soft paper and labels help keep decor intact until next season.
Give a warm flickering light without an open flame. Especially fitting in a kids' room, in the entryway, on low shelves and anywhere near curtains, paper or evergreens.
How to hang string lights safely, set up a tree so it stays steady and make a decoration from dried oranges and branches.
After the holiday: coiling string lights, taking down the tree, clearing needles and wax and storing decor until next season.
A schedule for getting your home holiday-ready and a budget in general terms: what to do early, a week ahead and on the day.
The advice here is general and based on the instructions of string light and appliance manufacturers and on widely accepted rules of fire safety at home. Always check the instructions for the specific item on how to plug in a particular string of lights, where a stand or candle can go and how to handle the product.