Due to safety concerns, most apartments or rental homes don’t allow live Christmas trees or candles. But that shouldn’t stop you from decorating and celebrating the holidays! There are many easy and inexpensive ways to make your space festive and cozy. Utilize tools available that don’t damage the walls such as Command Strips or Hooks, or Removable Mounting Putty.
Doormat: Make an excellent first impression and welcome visitors with a seasonal doormat.
Garland: Get creative with all the varieties of garland! Garland is beautiful and functional, from artificial spruce or holly & ivy to ribbons and tassels. Place it around a doorway or window, on the mantle or stairway, or use it to create a tree shape that doesn’t take up too much space.
Lights: Brighten these cold winter nights with strings of lights! Consider hanging lights with the garland or separately, outlining windows, doorways, or the patio. Like garland, you can use a string of lights to create a beautiful tree!
Blankets and Pillows: The options are endless! Popular prints include Tartan Plaid, Buffalo Check, Faux Fur, and Sherpa, but there are so many beautiful (and functional) blankets and pillows available it can be hard to choose. Better yet, make a simple tie blanket from your favorite fabric. Blankets and pillows are a great, easy choice to add holiday color to your home!
Tree: Don’t feel limited on tree shape, size or species simply because you rent! Artificial trees are available in Blue Spruce, Fraser Fir, Alpine Balsam Fir, Vermont White Spruce, and more! Whether you choose more of a “Charlie Brown” tree or one that nearly fills the room, a tree lit up with decorations makes your entire space feel happy. A recent article on today.com wrote that research indicates that putting up holiday decorations can cause a spike in dopamine, the hormone that makes you feel good!
Display Holiday Cards: Use a strand of lights or a string of garland, along with some hooks or clips, to show cards or photos you receive. Or, choose your favorite holiday images, phrases, or words and display them! Either will bring a smile to your face and warm your heart.
Poinsettia: The vibrant poinsettia colors will make any space festive! Like most plants, it should be kept out of reach for young children and pets, but the idea that these plants are highly poisonous might be a myth. According to poison.org, “In most cases, exposure to any parts of the poinsettia plant in children or pets has very little if any effect.”
Essentially, decorating your apartment or rental home should be fun and full of creativity! Review your lease or contact your management company, such as G&H Properties, if you have any questions about holiday decorating rules.
