Goodwill Home Décor Expert - Merri Cvetan

January is the perfect time to get your home organized. 

This month I’ve shared with you some country decorating ideas (the rustic tree, stockings from sweaters and Swedish mantle). So, instead of a formal table, I decided on a casual, informal setting to continue the theme through to Christmas dinner.

Decorating the mantle is a very important Christmas tradition. After all, it’s the first thing Santa sees when he comes down the chimney.

Every year I change my Christmas decorating “theme.” This year, I decided on a homespun, rustic, country tree. All the ornaments are simple to make, inexpensive and easy for kids to do, too.  

The biggest meal of the year is only a week away! As you pull out Grandma’s recipe for candied yams and thaw out the turkey, don’t forget to set a memorable table.

The popularity of Duck Dynasty prompted me to create a fall display for hunting and TV fans.

Halloween season is behind us, but before we jump into full Christmas mode, take time to transform your decorating from spooky to autumn. Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away but since I’m not ready to set my table yet, I’ll concentrate on the front door.

Here’s another fast and easy Halloween decorating project. No sewing, no glue! Anyone can do it.

It was out in the yard for months, so the finish is even more worn and rustic. Perfect for a Halloween Witch display. 

I’m always amazed at how expensive real pumpkins are. They’re great for carving jack-o-lantern faces to greet trick-or-treaters, but they only last a few days, and then end up on to the compost pile. I wanted to decorate pumpkins this year that I can save and re-use every Halloween. Fake pumpkins are plentiful at Goodwill from 49¢ to $1.99.

If you’re not quite ready to decorate for Halloween, try a scarecrow, the perfect “transitional” decoration for fall. You can make one in less than a couple of hours!