Holiday 101: Fight 'Tis the Season Stress

Dec. 7, 2006 — -- Between shopping and parties, seasonal stress turns many people from Santas into Scrooges. But with a little holiday help from entertaining expert Moll Anderson, you can make every holiday situation a little bit easier.

Transform your stoop with inexpensive plastic urns. Paint the urns and fill them with poinsettias. The urns will work all year long by popping in the flower of the season, either fresh or fake.

For a centerpiece that does double duty, think cupcakes.

Pick up some pre-made cupcakes from the grocery store and place them on a cupcake tree, which you can buy at stores or online very inexpensively. When you're not using the stand for cupcakes, you can use it to hold muffins or votives for a romantic centerpiece. Instead of using a cupcake tree, you could also try using two cake stands stacked on top of one another.

You could also turn dessert into a game; place numbers on the bottom of each cupcake, making that the way that everyone draws their number for a gift exchange.

If the traditional fruit bowl is feeling a bit tired, perk up your fruit or vegetables with silver and gold spray paint. Place your dressed-up fruit in a wooden or glass bowl, or trailing down a table or buffet. For a chic look, fill a simple, clear vase with cranberries and amaryllis.

If you're on a budget, try making a no-sew throw pillow. Gather fabric around a foam pillow round. Use a rubber band to hold it in place and then finish it off with a tassel.