Sparkle Plenty

Tired of hauling out the same old holiday decorations every year?

Rethink the way you deck the halls with the following tips from interior designer Zina Samek, who is based in Boca Raton and has appeared on HGTV. Here, she discusses chic and creative decorating techniques that will set the stage for an unforgettable holiday season.

Go natural at Thanksgiving. For this bountiful holiday, focus on the fruits of nature instead of plastic decorations, Samek suggests. Make a centerpiece by carving out several pumpkins in different sizes and filling them with fresh flowers. "[There's] a trend in using more fresh flowers and bringing more of the outdoors in, and this is a way to incorporate that," she says.

Light the night for Hanukkah. Less is more for Hanukkah, says Samek, who recommends incorporating larger, higher-quality decorations versus lots of little ones. For example, invest in a sturdy metal menorah that will last for decades. Samek notes that many of her clients are putting wreaths of white and blue LED lights on their doors with sparkly blue ribbons to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Think unique for Christmas. "The trend is not these perfect centerpieces and perfect place settings," she says about Christmas 2018. "It's more just having fun and being different and being creative." Doll up a traditional place setting by tying ribbon around the plate and cutlery to make it look like a present. For a centerpiece, gather disparate elements like ornaments and candles in a variety of sizes, and place them together in an oval shape.

Start fresh on New Year's Eve. Try working with decor elements you've never used before to usher in the New Year. A dramatic option is a balloon ceiling arrangement that covers the entire ceiling with balloons in various colors, such as black and silver, with ribbons hanging down above partygoers' heads. "When you look up, the way the light hits it, it sparkles. It looks iridescent and really cool," she says.