Guest Author - Jessica Steinmetz

This Christmas is especially nice because of our new daughter. I enjoy seeing her eyes light up when she sees the lights on the tree. I look forward to many years of decorating with her.

Decorating your home is always fun during the holiday season. If you have a disability, decorating can be challenging. It’s possible to decorate your home with a little time and effort. Let me offer some holiday decorating suggestions. As always, please feel free to offer your own tips and ideas on the forum.

I suggest keeping holiday decorating simple, but festive. Decorate your computer with a festive background or theme. Instead of getting a live tree, consider buying a small artificial tree. You may purchase artificial trees that look just like a live one, and they are less work and less mess. Stores even sell trees that have lights already on them. Every year you could simply place a bag over the tree with lights on, and pull it out the next year for a fast and easy set up. Trees don’t need too much decorating to look nice. This is up to individual tastes, but I’ve seen trees with little decorating and they are beautiful.

If you have trouble decorating your tree and home, consider holding a decorating party. Invite family and friends over to help you. You will be surprised how many people are willing to give you a hand. For someone with poor muscle control, consider using ornaments that aren’t glass or breakable. When decorating it, put ornaments on your tray or walker basket. This can save you time and energy. Remember to place your tree in an easy accessible place so you can decorate it and view it.

Spread the decorating time over a few days. It isn’t mandatory to decorate all at once. If you work on it a little each day, it adds to the build up to Christmas. Add bows and ribbons to chairs (even your wheelchair or walker), candle holders, appliances, and doors. Purchase a scented pine spray and spray over your house. Put a candle in each window of your home or apartment. Put bells on doorknobs so they jingle when you open and shut them. A definite way to get in the mood is by playing Christmas music.

Please join us on the forum and tell us what you are doing this holiday season.