by Dyane Hendricks

Creating that personal touch for the holiday season will take some creativity during these challenging times, especially to maintain the look without the cost. But creativity is just inside that closet door, waiting to be a festive part of home furnishings.

“First, of course, is a totally clean palette,” says Roberta Jennings, a décor maven located in Daly City who is called upon to create a welcoming environment in both homes and offices. Do the seasonal cleaning and make sure the house is ready for the metamorphosis into the holidays.

“Incorporate decorating methods which can be changed and carried forward through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s,” said Jennings.

Put an interchangeable strand of lights on the ficus tree or even that wandering Jew that hangs in the bathroom. “The bulbs can be change from the orange of Halloween and Thanksgiving to the red and green of Christmas,” Jennings said. On Dec. 26 get ready for New Year’s by replacing the lights with white and black bulbs. For ecumenical households, there can be a transition to Hanukkah blue and white lights, then to the Christmas colors.

Thanksgiving easily incorporates that Halloween pumpkin. Look around and see what other generic fall decorations used during October can remain.

Being budget-minded is also a good excuse to get children involved with decorating. Trek down to the local discount store and purchase plain white napkins. Make some hot chocolate and cookies, and have the children invite their friends to a Saturday afternoon of coloring, glittering and pasting. The napkins can be used for dinners and impromptu holiday gatherings.

For homes without children, consider gathering the adults for an informal afternoon or evening of decorating that will also double as a unique holiday party that leaves no one standing in the corner.

If a tree is not in the budget this year, “fresh boughs of pine are great — as well as putting pine cones throughout the house,” Jennings said. “Let the kids decorate them, too.”

As funds allow, Jennings advises having plenty of liquor, traditional cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks on hand. “Make sure you have the festive touches for serving those drinks, from marshmallows to holiday stir sticks, and of course the napkins that your kids decorated for you.”