i say more!!! ... unless you're feeling stressed out, of course!

I like it! I have lots of red baubles hanging around the house and I've found myself singing a lot of Carols outloud! Sure, some of them may look goofy, but if it puts me (and you!) in a good mood, then so be it!

I'm sure DH is a sweetie, but............don't listen to him! Christmas gives you the excuse to throw caution to the wind and go alllllllll out! ;o)

Are you saying your husband HELPS YOU with the decorating??? Mine sits on the couch and says, "are you putting up the tree and stuff?" and that's pretty much his entire contribution. If you're doing it yourself, I don't see how he can object. If you're making him help, I can see his point.

Anyway, though my taste is for a more restrained and elegant look, if you like to go all out, I say go for it.

Maybe his style is a bit different than yours. Sometimes people (even women) have a hard time explaining what they like, so they opt for a toned down version of what they don't like. If my style didn't match up with the person I lived with (and they did the decorating) I would ask for something simple so I wouldn't cringe every time I walked by the decor.

I'm a pretend designer (thankfully my few clients pretend with me), but I always take my husband's feelings into consideration. One year, I totally overdid the tree and mantle. He said "it's just too much, too much RED." I poo-poo'd him and then the next year I looked at the photos and wondered what in the heck I was thinking. I was so horribly embarrassed that I had that mess up in my house. So, now I listen to him. Usually he's right on and when I re-do whatever it is....I like it much better.

Anyway, ask your DH what he wants less of and maybe meet him half-way. After all, it is his home too and he should feel good about what he sees there too.

I have a friend who's husband always did all the decorating.....she never could have so much as an idea!! And it was beautiful.....every thing precisely placed and carefully planned. the tree was a vision....all clear glass gold and white china ornaments. Only white poinsettias and a centerpiece of white orchid blooms and box wood.
After he died she did a very different sort of tree.....not because she didn't like his, but because she couldn't do it justice....she thought.
I say just one year let him do the entry.....and if he won't.....why then do what you want!
My opinion on what you're doing...(did you ask?) I like the first version best....the one with the white stuff and faux crystal hangey down stuff is tooooo much. But the first is lovely!
Tell himself he can be decoration chairman!
Linda C

Has DH or anyone else snagged a sweater on the stuff? Or felt like they can't touch the bannister? It's pretty but I can see that it, especially the sticky out bits, might make some uncomfortable when they are using the stairs.

Rose, I couldn't help but laugh while reading your post. The 'sticky out bits' are on the outside of the staircase, at least that was my 'observation'. lol

Linda, I don't think he does, or even wants to. He just thinks she puts way too much time and effort into 'just decoration'. ;o)

I can see where he might object to you making that handrail almost unusable....
very pretty but I would have trouble negotiating the stairs with all that on them.

Just had to come back and give you some suggestions because I couldn't stop thinking about your post (must finally be in decorating withdrawals). Hope I'm not out of line for my suggestions. For the stairs...Keep your garland simple with bows at the each of the hanging points. You could weave in the holly but don't put any of the other sprigs or ornaments in. Is there a table below the print? If so, don't decorate the top of the picture, but put make an arrangement for the table. In all honesty, sometimes less is truly much, much more. I totally understand your need to be creative and to go all out, but it can be really easy to go overboard.

Fleur, you are more than welcome to come do my house! I think your decorations look lovely, especially the stairs. I don't think they are too overboard at all.

I have to agree w/cyn~~when are you available? I'll start pulling out the boxes! I'm all about overkill at Christmas, and really don't think it's too much.

I have to add, in the Christmas open houses i've gone to, staircases are always overly done, and look fabulous. Again, just mt 2 cents. ;o)

It has been so much fun reading all your responses, thank you for taking the time to give me your opinions. I find them all interesting.

Instead of answering individually I'll attempt to address all responses:

First off, no ~ he's a doll but other than putting the lights on the tree he has no interest in decorating. His only concern (I'm positive) is that I am running out of time before we have friends over.

I love all of you who agree that this time of year is definitely a time to *splurge* ~~ isn't it fun?! (busybee & oakleyoak & pattycakes & cyn & lindac) Every so often when I truly am getting a tiny bit exhausted & wondering if this is all worth it ~~ I just have to walk from room to room & it puts a big smile on my face & I'm a happy camper once again.

No, snagged sweaters etc. etc. are never a problem. It's hard to tell from a photo, but the *stick-out-bits* (grin) are actually very contained. Using the handrail is no problem at all, I left plenty of room. Actually the photos distinctively show the large, untouched portions of the handrail.

No, there isn't a table under the print in the foyer, but I don't always put something up there (just a smidgeon too much work)

Thanks again, & remember ~~ there can be a time for Less is More & a time for More is More.... that's my story & I'm stickin' to it

My husband is in your camp! He has very minimal interest in decorating, except for holidays. He goes all out and has fun with it. Even though it's not all my taste, I stay out of the way. It's not permanent, it' not costly, and it changes things up. Ultimately decorating is about what you like and convenience. Since your DH is only worried about the time aspect and you have that covered, I am glad to hear you are going for it!

Lindac, that was a lovely story re: your friend. I can just imagine her DH putting in all that decorating effort! Sweet!

Anele, I like your 'story.' ;o)

No talent at holiday decor...plse come do my stairs!!

love it all!Me thinks I may copy your decoration over the picture for over the mirror on my mantle. hmmmm.

Your DH: "How about keeping it simple this year?"
You, handing him a spiked egg nog, glass of wine, bottle of good beer, whatever is his fave: "I am keeping it simple, dear, simple for you. Now go relax while I work on this. You know it makes me happy."

If he protests or doesn't walk away... "Honey if you need something to do, why not take a look at this? I've marked some things." Hand him a jewelry / clothing / sports gear / home goods (whatever your passion) catalog, with your wishes circled.

Is he still standing there? "Sweetie, really. If you don't get out of my way, I'm going to decorate you! Now why don't you go enjoy that drink, or I'm going to go to chicagoans house and decorate for her.." I like that last thought...

Wow, you really are having fun. I'm glad you have that much storage room and energy. I'll bet it puts everyone in a good mood. I'd say as long as its not stressing you or your family then decorate away.

To me a fair resolution would depend a bit on who rules the roost the rest of the year. If things are usually done to please him and this is your one chance for self-expression, then I would say go for it, but if not, I'd lend him an ear.

That said, I wonder a couple of things:
(a) do you use the same pieces every year? Maybe a change of materials would change things up to the benefit of both of you.
(b) Do they get put in the same place every year? I would change that up too, partly because I think they places you are using do not show them up to best advantage. I think the garland, for instance, would look better tacked up the side of the steps than woven through the railing. It competes with the railing and they both lose. I also agree with Linda about the arrangement at the picture. There too, I think the sprays above the picture compete with the sprays in the picture and the viewer cannot appreciate either.
(c) I tend to find that arrangements grounded in natural materials make a better impression on me. They somehow don't tip into excess quite as readily as fake materials do. So you can use more of the natural, but it doesn't look kitschy. Plus it has aroma to enhance the Christmassy feeling :-)

In aggregate, maybe your husband just doesn't like what you put up but doesn't know exactly why and doesn't have any alternative ideas. And doesn't want to say so for fear of hurting your feelings.

Try a new approach, maybe invite him shopping with you and see what he likes? Ask where he thinks it could be put? and then sit down together and enjoy that eggnog!

Karin L

I like chicagoans response! LMAO!

It's not my personal taste, but I do think it's lovely, and it's only once a year, so if it makes you happy I say go for it. I, btw, have the same issue with my DH, but now he basically just goes off to his den and let's me & the kids have at it. Lucky me!

bleigh ~ I just watched the pictures you posted on the other thread ~ how very beautiful & creative ~ It sure seems like you like the *More is More* style for Christmas too. I'm guessing maybe the *keep it simple* suggestion for me is because you're going through withdrawal after decorating for all your clients (grin) hmmmm, maybe YOU would have preferred keeping it more simple but the clients were looking for bling? Well, they got their moneys worth and they are all stunning.

loribee ~ I'll be there as soon as I finish up & and then I'll stop by Chicagoans (I'm in the northern burbs, isn't the tiny bit of the snow on the ground pretty?)

copperbailey thanks for the compliment and if you try a spray over your mirror please post a picture. Hint: I used a lot of wire)

katrina ~ yes, storage is a BIG problem, but what can I say ....

Karinl ~ to answer you questions: I do use many of the supplies every year but in different ways and in different rooms or in my outside decorating. I really like your suggestion of putting the garland along the steps and will remember that for next year. No, he definitely wouldn't enjoy shopping with me (grin) I actually did a spray yesterday using pine cones & a more outdoorsy look - using the deer that are usually part of my outdoor decorating. I'll post a picture of the deer outside from last year.

hudsonleigh ~ DH leaves his book (or sports on t.v.)to check on my progress & gives me a hug & a WOW!

Here's the picture of my deer last year:

I maybe should have said what I wanted to a bit better. I like alot of bling and "overdone" trees are my thing. I was not trying to say that I think you overdo your decorating according my taste or lots of others, but maybe from your DH's perspective. I guess when working with people in their homes, I have to consider what everyone wants. In my biggest decorating job the husband has certain requests that I work with. He's happy and the wife and I get to bling up everything else. For their home (and my own) in some areas "less is more" because everyone is happy with their surroundings. OH, I hope I'm making sense. I really hope you didn't feel I was putting down your decorations.

I'm must be in horrid withdrawals because I just drug a 10 foot tree of my friend's attic, left one section out b/c she's in a rental house and her ceilings are only 9ft. That darn tree takes up a huge amount of square footage, but we're having fun. It looks slightly ridiculous but we don't care...her family loves it and I do too!!

OH, and your deer are way too cute!!

Just do what makes you happy. If you're a more is more kinda person, go for it with gusto. If less gives you comfort, do that. It's your space, do what you love, at ALL times of the year, not just Christmas.

But, if you and DH are not on the same wavelength, or the style is making one of you uncomfortable, ie you like things blingy and DH more simple, maybe try to find a compromise that you both feel comfortable with. Maybe you can go all out on the bannister as a gorgeous entry focal point, but keep another area simpler with less decor, etc.

I LOVE the deer display :-)

Karin L

I'm with your husband on this: I think it would look better toned down, especially the banister/railing part.

The holly sticking out like that would scare the bejabbers out of me. And if those were real holly branches poking up out of the top of your newel post and swags you would have snipped them out about the third time they cruelly stabbed you in the arm.

Part of the problem is that fake greenery often seems to just wind up with more and more being added to the mix - and be re-used repetitiously over the years. If you limited yourself to the real stuff then it might wind up being fresher to the eye (not to mention the nose!) and less obtrusive/intensive overall.

Next year you might try going cold-turkey on all the faux stuff and see what you can do using only natural materials. To my eye there is a superb, serene and restrained quality to simpler, real arrangements that vastly outshines the richer, but more commercial-looking, effects. The hand-made simplicity of natural greens (with some dried stuff, too) seems to capture the warm, home-y, personal tone of an ideal holiday for me. I'm not saying use no bling, but keep it underplayed relative to the underlying real stuff. Both aspects will complement each other very well.

One thing about natural greens is that they are sort of self-limiting as they take longer to work with, and need special precautions over art work, etc. This causes them to be more restrained. And also be decorated for a shorter period as the green lose their freshness after a few short weeks- that alone will it scale back nicely, while highlighting the specialness of the Holiday.

Regarding the time spent on holiday prep and decorations. We've been brain-washed over the years by media that I think has distorted our picture of the kind of decoration that's needed and appropriate for a private space. It eats up more and more time and money, and ends up feeling as though even more is necessary every year. As someone who used to do that, but who stepped off the track, I can tell you how much more satisfying a lower-key approach can be. You won't feel bereft or Scrooge-ish; you may feel liberated to actually experience the joys of the Season rather than spend your energy engaged in managing a complex stage setting.

I am just offering my thoughts based on my own experience; what makes sense for you is what makes you (and your DH) happy. I am making no judgement (well except for the need to trim back holly branches with thorns!)

L.