Put Your House in the Holiday Spirit

(ARA) - The winter holidays are traditionally a time for family and friends. Whether you're entertaining large groups, out of town guests or simply decking the halls for your family's enjoyment, here are some tips to add some holiday sparkle to every room in the house.

Provide a Colorful Background

Start with the big picture first. Now is a great time to take a look at your walls. Do they need a good scrubbing to get rid of kids' handprints? Maybe it's time to patch up those dings from when you moved in the new couch. Or perhaps you're ready for a newer, fresher color in some of your rooms. However big or small the job, it helps to have the right tools.

For touch-ups, an easy solution is the Wall Magic Kit from Wagner. The Paint Storage and Touch-Up kit is all wrapped up in a convenient carrying case and is designed for storing paint and touching up imperfections in minutes. In the kit, there are three 8-ounce reusable air-tight bottles (with room for six) to store your paint along with a detachable 3-inch roller and mini roller arm that applies a smooth even coat so your guests will never notice. For hard to reach areas, there is also a brush included in the kit for crevices. A common mistake is using the wrong "similar" color in the wrong room. That's where the paint journal comes in. It allows you to keep a record of which paint is in which room. The air-tight containers will store latex paint for three to five years and oil based paint for 18 to 30 months. Simply attach the roller to the bottle, make your repair, and stow away until next time.

For an all over paint job, the job can be simpler than you think. Again, with the right tools you can splash color on your walls in no time. If you're looking for solid color, try using a power roller which automatically feeds the paint to your roller without the pain and hassle of a paint tray. Wagner's line of power rollers can be found at major hardware or home improvement centers. They are a great investment for any do-it-yourselfer.

For smaller rooms and ceilings, try an internally fed roller like the PaintMate or Paint-N-Roll from Wagner. They're inexpensive, provide extended reach, simple application and can be used time and time again. Leave the old roller arm and tray behind you. Internally fed rollers are the only way to go for today's do-it-yourselfer.

Painting doesn't have to be as time consuming as you think. With the right tools, you can paint fast and smart so you can move on to the special holiday activities you will enjoy in your beautiful room.

Set the Stage

Now that you have a colorful backdrop, it's time to add some festive touches to your everyday décor. Here are some ideas to get your creativity flowing:

* Drape greenery (either fresh or fake) throughout the house: on the fireplace mantel, around the banister, over the door. Fresh greenery will add a wonderful scent to the air.

* Every house needs some extra sparkle and glitter during the holidays. Try displaying glass balls in a clear vase on the mantel or dining room table or add some twinkling lights to your greenery.

* Display seasonal plants to warm up a room. Poinsettias are traditional at this time of year, and in recent years, they have showed up in a rainbow of colors in addition to the traditional red.

Get Sentimental

The holidays are the perfect time to bring out family heirlooms. Even favorite recipes can help add a sense of history to family gatherings. This Wassail Bowl recipe will warm up your friends and family.

Ingredients:

1 gallon apple cider

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 6-ounce can frozen lemonade

1 6-ounce can frozen orange juice

1 tablespoon whole cloves

1 tablespoon whole allspice

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

6 cinnamon sticks

Directions: In a large kettle combine cider, brown sugar, lemonade and orange juice (undiluted juices). Tie cloves and allspice in a cheese cloth and add it to cider at the same time as the ground nutmeg. Simmer covered for 20 minutes. Remove the bag. Serve hot with cinnamon sticks if desired.

The Final Touches

There are endless ways to add special holiday surprises to every room. For example, put a holiday-themed set of towels in the bathroom. Find attractive candles with scents like pine or apple cider to evoke the smells of the season. Sprinkle a collection of holiday decorations throughout the house, instead of just in one room.

Take Time to Enjoy the Holidays

While sprucing up the house is enjoyable for some, it can be stressful to others. Only do as much as you can accomplish without feeling frazzled. And make sure to plan a night by the fireplace for you and your family. Maybe read one of your favorite holiday stories or start a journal for everyone to write in. After all, the whole point of the holidays is to take time to enjoy the season and spend time with family and friends.

For more information on the Paint Storage and Touch-Up Kit, visit www.wagnerspraytech.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content