The holidays are officially here.

Now is a perfect time to get those decorations out and put up the tree. It's always good to get a head start on things.  

One thing to remember when decorating for the holidays is to brace yourself. Stand back and take a look around. You want to make sure the style of your home doesn't get buried beneath the winter decor. There is such a thing as too much.

Ideally, your holiday decorations should accent the everyday design of your home. This will allow the space to look festive without compromising a modern and fresh feel. Here are a few tips that will help your home look well designed and balanced.

1. A successful cohesive look starts with the color palette. Take notice of the colors of your home and use decorations that fit within that scheme

Look for some unique holiday decor at the L I Antiques Center on Sunrise Highway or Home Goods on Merrick Road. Sometimes showcasing vintage elements and unique items can add a remarkable touch of cheer.

2. Placement means everything. Rest small ornamental objects where people can see but make sure they blend in with other elements around them. 

Try checking out the holiday selection at your local drug stores like CVS Pharmacy on Merrick Road. Sometimes you can be surprised about what they have and their prices are usually really good. You can also find some unexpected things at the Dollar Plus Store on Merrick Ave.

3. Space out your holiday decor so it surrounds you a little at a time.  Sometimes when you group things it can be too much. Scatter the whimsy and spread the joy.

4. Take advantage of home accents. Wrap some simple white lights around banisters and pave the way for Christmas cheer. This is an easy way to bring a modern touch to your festive decor.

5.  Don't forget about hallways and corners. You want that festive feel spread throughout the house so adding little touches here and there on the stairwell or a forgotten corner will help you achieve that goal.

6.  Decorating the tree should be fun. Don't just throw on ornaments and tinsel; place them in a way that makes sense. Also, try to mix it up with different textures and shapes to give depth to the design.

7. Using natural elements like flowers and plants are a sure way to bring the holidays into your home. Some red and white roses or lilies will add that delightful touch while poinsettias guarantee a traditional feel.

You can purchase a great array of flowers at Feldis Florist on Sunrise Highway or the  Merrick Flower Shoppe & Fruiterers on Merrick Ave.

I hope these tips can help you all get through another holiday season with ease. Decorating should be fun!  

If it helps, get everyone involved and make a night out of it. With a little music and some snacks, your home will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland in no time.