Indoor Christmas Decorations

Andy Williams was right to say that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. The smells, the happy secrets, the revelation of the perfect presents you found for each member of your family. And arguably, revving up for Christmas Day is the best part: the planning, the Christmas cookie-snacking, and, of course, the decorating.

So while snow might be flying outdoors, inside, you can make your home as cozy as a cup of Christmas cocoa all December long. A few traditional ideas can get you going.

• Lights. One of the easiest ways to bring the sparkle of the season inside is with lights, strung around window sills or along a mantle, either in vibrant colors or pure white. Consider a few Christmas candles as well, both for their natural light and seasonal scents; a cinnamon-, pumpkin-, or cookie-scented candle can fill your home with holiday sweetness when you're too busy to bake.

• Wreaths and garlands. A simple door wreath can speak volumes when it comes to holiday decor. Dress one up with artificial flowers and berries. Or, wrap railings with an artificial garland; make it fancy with an extra wrapping of ribbon.

• Christmas flowers. Poinsettias and amaryllis bulbs add a simple, appropriate beauty to holiday table settings - and with proper care, they'll last throughout the season.

• A tree. The king of Christmas decorations, the Christmas tree is a household staple. Whether you have a large fresh-cut tree in your home's picture window or a small pencil tree in an urban apartment, you can dress it up with your traditional ornaments, a simple theme of colored glass balls and ribbons, or an even simpler treatment of white lights.