Hot Stuff: Getting in the (Holiday) Mood

A decorating bug hit us hard and unexpectedly. We aren't usually the decorating type. We know we're not the only ones seeing the
Evites and rare fancy paper invites pour in'food accompanied by virgin or adult drinks, yes!-- for upcoming holiday shindigs. Maybe we've drank the Bud's eggnog too much, but we feel it's fun to sometimes do the inviting ourselves. We on whim suddenly motivated last night and decided to decorate a little since we have guests in town this weekend. We're hosting a brunch in their honor on Sunday. Our message: don't freak out over having people over. We are not as calm and collected as we'd like to be, either. But hey, the Human League said it best (tho the topic was decidedly different), we're "only human." Our fool proof tips for getting in the holiday mood by decorating your place:

Music: may be the most important element and is the backdrop for our decorating. Drag out your favorite holiday songs be they Snoop Dog, Snoopy-themed, or the likes of Steve Earle, King Missile, Social D or The Pogues (from Peter Hartlaub's Holiday Music Sampler, Volume II). Play your fave holiday song lists repeatedly. Especially if you are decorating alone. By the second or third round, you will get down the words and do a holiday jig when family or friends arrive. It's nice to have traditions that rock each year!

SFist Mary Ladd contributing

Decorations: Get crafty, or not. We do everything on a budget, so our decorating is no different. If you are challenged for space the way we are, stick to a ratio of number of holiday boxes/bags are equal to amount of space in jumbled closet. We have amassed one bag of favorite cards, which is one of the easiest (and cheape$t) ways to decorate around. Think about saving those picture cards of friends and family, even if you giggle that they are wearing matching jean or logo shirts. Our other faves include cards with stars & other Judaica, birds, penguins who read, and a reindeer round out the collection. That's us, though. If you are into sports , travel, knitting, or what have you, then keep only cards that you love. For other decorations, craft fairs, thrift stores, boutiques, and Just For Fun in Noe Valley are some of the best resources we turn to. Don't be afraid to collect things that touch your heart (ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! We know it sounds sappy but it's true), and we're not just talking about how much fun those sales can in theory be on December 26th. In our adult years, we have saved figurines, ornaments and other things that make us happy and remind us of good times. It's nice to bring out these items each year as a little surprise to ourselves. The last touch: a mini holiday tree. No, it does not hurt the environment, and can hide in our bedroom corner when January1st hits.

Food: Umm, we ate beef hot dogs after decorating. That's our version of "self care" during the holidays. Hot dogs are not any sort of tradition with us but they looked good and smelled even better when they hit the Le Creuset grill pan. Our Mom used to serve smoked salmon with cream cheese, along with other dips and chips. Opt for simple and easy to prepare comfort food while decorating, be that a soyrizo burrito, pasta with red sauce, or a PB&J. The food should make you feel good and full, and bonus if it's a dish you remember from your past.

Drink: Buy some non-alcoholic apple juice or cider at the farmers market or store. Pour enough into a non reactive pot to serve everyone. Have ladle at hand. Add one cinnamon stick and a smidgen of ground cloves to the juice. Simmer on low for twenty minutes or so, partially covered. Do not allow to boil! Doctoring up the juice makes your place smell wonderbah and will warm and groove your husband (or house mates) when they arrive home. Other drink winners: egg nog, mulled wine (swap red wine for the apple juice), and hot chocolate. Did we mention getting in the mood? Nothing screams mood louder then licking those lips and saying "Mmmmmmmmm."