What's Hot in Christmas Decorations

Primitives, Shabby Chic and country are this year's hot festive items.

Luanne Bromelkamp of The Bannister in Monona suggests which items are in this year for holiday decorations and festive gifts. "The trend right now is taking old elements, primitive items, and just adding whatever you have," she said. I don't believe in going out and buying everything - you should use what you have got.

For example, use grandma's old mixing bowls and dress them with pine cones and greenery." Bromelkamp said. "Adding a bit of family history makes it more special and generates conversation among family members," she added.

Bromelkamp said that to add a little sparkle to a festive home always have candles. She recommends thinking outside the box and using items that are not necessarily considered Christmas items. While snowmen and Santas are still traditional and collectible, decorations don't have to include them.

"Go primitive, shabby chic and country," she suggests. "Another thing that I like to tell people is go outside into your yard and find pine cones and branches and spray paint them and add a little glitter. Match them to your chosen color scheme. Particularly nice is red twig dogwood," she added. "Stick the branches in your Christmas trees for extra depth," she said.

This year, Bromelkamp points out, lanterns, stars, chunky candle sticks, candle rings and pillars are still popular. Colors for this year are traditional red and green, burgundy and olive green, red and lime green, as well as, brown, teal and silver. "I think that these colors are going to stay in for a few years because people wear these popular colors," she said.

Finally, when decorating, Bromelkamp says don't forget to spoil all your senses by adding scented candles and potpourri for that finishing touch. Once you have decorated your own home, another quandary arises, as it does every holiday season: What to give your friends and family who have everything, or simply what to take to those many dinner invitations.