Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas: Trends for 2011

Everyone loves a Christmas tree, but sometimes you want a change. The same tree from year to year can get boring, and if you've changed your interior decor, you might find your old tree just doesn't have the same charm. So, how do you get a new look for this old tradition? Believe it or not there are trends from year to year. Here are some of the most interesting.

The Natural Look. If you're ready to replace your artificial tree with something new, why not try a flocked tree? These new trees are convincingly realistic, and since they already have a covering of snow, halve your decorating has been done for you. Finish them off with some more realistic touches, wrap the tree with a grapevine garland to add some bulk, add white and iridescent ball ornaments and if your tree is large, have them increase in size towards the bottom. If you want some color, add some red berry picks to the branches and add another touch of icy winter, crystal icicles dripping from the branches. For a little more color, add tiny birds. The result is very natural and realistic, and if you find it too 'cold' add some red ball ornaments in different sizes.

Decorating

The Beach Tree. If you like to escape the cold for the Holiday season there's no need to abandon tradition. You can decorate a tree for warmer climes. Once choice would be an artificial palm tree. These are available from the big DIY stores as well as online, and are a fun addition to your celebrations. They don't have many branches and so don't need a lot of decoration. If you are truly on the beach, why not gather some shells and transform them into ornaments with some wire and air dry clay. The final touch would be some spray glitter. If a palm tree is really not your style, but you're looking for something to match the cool color schemes used in many warm regions, why not choose a white tree? These can look stunning decorated in a color, so feel free to match your decor, blue and turquoise ornaments are very popular this year.

Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas: Trends for 2011

Think Pink. One of the most surprising trends to arise from the many new colors available, is the popularity of the pink Christmas tree. There are many forms to choose from, cupcake pink is a delicate shade and cries out for decoration in the 'ice cream' colors, in fact cupcakes and cones are a very popular theme in Christmas ornaments this year. You can also find cupcake garlands. Slightly more avant garde are the shocking pinks and pink/violet trees which have appeared in the last couple of year. Again Christmas ornaments seem to have been developed especially for them; you'll find handbags and high heels another popular theme this year.

The Christmas Tree is the focal point of your Christmas decor. Pick a new idea and enjoy!

Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas: Trends for 2011

Jane Alexander Ogilvie has a lifelong love of flowers. She writes about flowers and decorating on her blog, A Fool For Flowers. Please visit and read more of Jane's Christmas tree decorating ideas.

Luau Party Ideas: Invitations, Decorating, Games, Activities, Food

Need ideas for a Luau Party? In this article you will find ideas for the invitations, decorations, games & activities, and food suggestions for your luau theme party. This is a fun party for any age adult or even a child. The Luau is the most popular summer theme party. You can make yours as simple or elaborate as you like. Luau is a fun party for the pool or beach.

The Invitations
Start off with fun invitations. Place a homemade invitation in a small bottle along with a little sand. Hand deliver the invitations about two weeks in advance of the party. Request your guest to wear colorful casual clothing suitable for a luau. Greet your guest at the door with colorful leis.

Decorating

Decorating Ideas
Decorating for a luau party is easy! Most luau parties are held outside, but if you are having yours inside, just apply these same ideas. One of the most important decorations is tiki lanterns. These can be in the form of a garland or lights, depending if the party is in the day or at night. Other decorations can include: scene setters, ceiling danglers, inflatable palm trees (or lots of large potted plants), silk flowers, sea shells, pinata, luau theme balloons, and lots of colorful balloons. Always have Hawaiian music playing softly in the background to set the mood.

Luau Party Ideas: Invitations, Decorating, Games, Activities, Food

Decorate each table with a tiki candle and a few sea shells. The food table will look really cool with a raffia table skirt. Your paper tableware in a luau theme, matched with solids, can make a striking decoration on its own. A fun idea is to wrap cutlery in a napkin and use a cheap pair of sunglasses as the napkin ring.

Party Games & Activities
Luau party games & activities should always include a limbo contest! What's a luau without one? If you have the resources, provide a couple of hula skirts for a hula contest. If your guests like to dance, play beach music and have a shag dance! Another fun idea is a hula hoop contest. How long has it been since you played with a hula hoop? These are usually easy to find in any discount store early in the summer season, so you will need to get yours early.

Food Suggestions
What to eat? Keep it simple. Prepare shish kabobs on the grill, a fruit and cheese tray, crackers, chips, and other simple foods. If money is tight, have a pot luck luau! Don't forget the cute little drink picks and pina coladas in coconut cups!

Summary
To sum it up, decorate with tiki lanterns and/or garlands, balloons, candles, and other luau theme decorations. Use a raffia table skirt, tiki candle, sea shells, and luau theme tableware to decorate your table. After a simple meal and a pina colada, enjoy activities such as limbo and hula hoops. Find out who can dance the best hula to Blue Hawaii! A luau should be a fun party with plenty of time to relax and socialize. I hope these ideas will help you have the perfect luau party!

Luau Party Ideas: Invitations, Decorating, Games, Activities, Food

Visit http://www.partypantry.com for party supplies and decorations for birthdays and all occasions. There you will find fun Luau Party Supplies including decorations, tableware, inflatables, balloons, tiki candles, hula skirts, leis, and more.

Lounge Decorating Ideas: Top 3 Tips To Use For Any Lounge

If you want some lounge decorating ideas, then I am going to reveal some of my favorite ideas right here. If you know these techniques, then you will have 2 to 3 times the effect. If you don't, then your decorating efforts will go unnoticed.

So what to do?

How To Decorate And Live Well

If you want your friends, guests and loved ones to take notice and comment, then here's what to do. Think of the lounge wall that you want to decorate and ask yourself, which effect is it that you want to create. The choices you have include these 3 that you must know:

1. A scene of nature or cityscape that you can you feel that you can almost walk into.

This illusion of almost walking into a scene, and having the beautiful image as a backdrop is an effect that is almost magical, yet unknown by so many people. But if you know how to do this, then the effect you create will be exceptional. The most effective way is with a large tapestry. A scene of the forest, landscape or palace grounds will create an illusion of almost stepping into the scene.

This is one of the most effective ways to use large art to change a room into an experience for you, your guests and loves ones. So choose the art that will give you this effect and get maximal results. Your efforts will be 2 to 3 times more effective than with almost any other decorating idea.

2. A specific feel to a room such as romance.

You can give your lounge a specific feel such as romance with art which depicts scenes of nature and people within the scene that represents romance. French art with its romantic portrayal of even everyday life and subjects give the impression of romance and a washing over of feelings. These works portray life or scenery but in a romanticized way.

If you use a tapestry, the romance is further amplified as this is an artform which comes directly from this era of romance. It adds an unparalleled amount of feeling, warmth and romance to a lounge, and feels as if you're right at home but in a French room in the French countryside. If your lounge is a little cold or sterile, then this will create a wonderful effect.

3. A distinctive artwork that gives the lounge a theme based on that work.

Want a great work of art? Want to show off a certain theme? Then choose a piece of art which shows the subject that you like and this will create a lot of interest. A piece of art or tapestry which shows a work from an era or of a subject matter that you like will stand out. Again, if you use a tapestry, there is a presence about them that is beyond that of prints or framed art.

When you see one you will know what I mean. This presence makes the art a real part of the room and can be seen as well as felt. So choose the piece you like and see the effect for yourself.

So these are three ways to decorate your lounge effectively.

These decorating ideas for a lounge will give you an effect that is 2 to 3 times more effective, and will have your friends and loved ones comment and feel the effect this has in your lounge. Your lounge decor has a great effect on yourself and your guests so make the most of it and have great experiences together with your decor.

Lounge Decorating Ideas: Top 3 Tips To Use For Any Lounge

Looking for tapestries to decorate your lounge? Then see this wide range of wall tapestry art for your lounge room, from European mills and the US. Tom Matherson writes for Worldwide Tapestries where you'll find a wide collection of landscape wall tapestries of verdures, landscapes and countryside scenes for your living space and home.