Dollars and Sense
Holiday spruce-up on a budget
By DAVID UFFINGTON

It's your turn to host the relatives during the holidays, and the house is looking a bit shabby. Or, maybe you just want to freshen up your surroundings before the holidays arrive and friends start stopping by. Either way, it's possible to get a new look for the holidays without spending a lot of money.

Here are some inexpensive ideas.

+ Sketch your holiday dinner table and start to gather the items you'll need, so you're not stuck at the last minute and forced to spend for an expensive centerpiece. Scout the dollar stores now for items you can use, such as silk flowers and candles. Thumb through decorating magazines in the grocery checkout aisle for ideas.

+ Paint. You can change the whole look and feel of a room with a coat of paint. Or, paint just one wall a dramatic color, and let that be the focal point of the room. Depending on the wall size, you might get away with only a quart of paint. Use paint to change the look of a wooden chair or table, or even old picture frames.

+ Think nature. Fill a basket with pine cones or greenery you gather, tie with a ribbon and set it next to the fireplace. Check the grocery story for gourds and tiny pumpkins. Select plants from the nursery that can be divided into two or three pots.

+ Hit yard sales for an old chest to decorate and use as a coffee table. The storage inside is a bonus for hiding away clutter.

+ Fabric: Take advantage of sheets on sale or from the discount store. A king size sheet gives you lots of fabric for comparatively little cost. Stitch together two discount sheets for a new duvet for the guestroom, or use sheet fabric to make sofa and chair slipcovers.

+ Change the lighting by moving lamps or swapping them with those from another room. + Install a ceiling fan in the

living room. Not only will it be visually appealing but it helps with heating and cooling bills. (Just reverse it in the winter to keep the warm air circulating around the room.)

+ Stencil the openings around doorways.

Keep it simple. Remember: It's not necessary to spend a fortune to fix up your house. It's you that your guests are coming to see.

Write to David Uffington in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475 or send e-mail to letters.kfws@hearstsc.com.

(c) 2006 King Features Synd., Inc.