Omaha – Hosts Christmas Caravan Tour of Homes

Deck the halls a little differently this year.

Instead of going heavy on St. Nick or menorahs, the decorators and designers on this Thursday’s Assistance League of Omaha Christmas Caravan Tour of Homes recommend trying a winter-centric design, one that can extend the life of your holiday decor by several months.

“You can add a little bit of Christmas, but you don’t have to rip your whole house apart right away (when it’s over),” said MaryBeth Harrold, owner of Papillion Flower Patch.

 This week’s four-home tour will showcase a few ways to pull it off. Think deer, not reindeer. And snowmen, not elves. Plenty of seasonal greenery with touches of berries and pine cones can go a long way.

“With the warmth of the candles and berries, it’s warm all winter long,” Harrold said.

The tour funds the Assistance League’s programs, including Operation School Bell, which clothes more than 3,400 Omaha area students annually. The designers will be on-site to share tips and sell some decorations.

The hope for the tour, in addition to fundraising, is that you might go home with a little inspiration that will help bring out the best in your most cherished pieces of holiday decor.

“That’s what Christmas is about,” said Andrea Ramsey, owner of Andrea’s Designs. “At the end of the day, it’s what warms your heart, not what is the trend of the season.”

Each designer uses different techniques when planning winter decor.

Read the complete article and get tips for decorating.