Whether your loved ones are arriving from across the country, across town or just upstairs, you can create a memorable holiday experience that will last a lifetime. And it is not about all that over-indulgence of presents that we either don't need or can't afford. Please take a few moments to breathe in some fresh ideas to your old image of "The Holidays" and you may be surprised to discover a more meaningful time for all.

Half the fun of the holidays for me is in the buildup: planning, figuring out what to bake, what to wear, and of course how I am going to decorate. The hustle-bustle and rushing during the Holidays can often overwhelm calm and present time with your family. Try to take care of your shopping and organizing far in advance so you don't blink an eye and realize you've spent the season preparing for what was already there. When the Holidays arrive, I like to have already created the mood to have joy-filled fun with my family.

Call everyone in for a family meeting. Ask what their expectations are for this year's Holiday Season? Don't expect it to be the same as yours. This kind of open communication can possibly help you avoid any unfulfilled expectations. Contact your college kids and other loved ones by phone or internet, whatever you can do to help everyone feel involved.

Giving to those less fortunate than you always enriches your gratitude and appreciation for your own life. Include everyone in this activity, even the tots. With the whole family, make an adventure out of finding objects you do not need anymore. Exploring all the items you've accumulated can be a reminiscing activity that brings forth many fond memories. Peer into your busting-at-the-seams garage and closets. Imagine what a gift to your own family it would be to free up space and eliminate clutter. Remember all that stuff you donate will warm the hearts and bodies of all those neighbors down the road.

Gifting beautifully wrapped selections of your "treasures" can bring pleasure in your children's' lives and homes now, rather than later. If your children attach sweet memories to objects of your lives why not let them place them in their homes so to plant seeds of memories they can recall to their children, and moments past.

Please try this revealing exercise. Walk out to the front of your home, to the curb and look back and pretend you are looking at it as if for the first time. What are your impressions? Inviting? Welcoming? Not so much? What are we to do about it? Trust me, small measures can go a long way. Does the front door need a fresh coat of paint? Does the handle need a little polish? How about a couple pots of fragrant flowers, right at nose distance from the front door? Edit out the weeds and plant just a few blooming flower beds that freshen up the house.

As you enter your home, set the mood and the stage by delighting all your senses.

          Sight - Open all the windows and drapes and bring in light and fresh air.

          Smell - Fill the oven with pies and cookies with mulled cider brewing on the stove.

          Taste -Treat yourself to nostalgic recipes that, once tasted, make you remember being a 

                       child again.

          Hearing - Fill the air with yours and your family's favorite music from your own music library or

                            by inputting your choices into Pandora Radio or other computer generated radio  

                            systems.

          Touch – Design with soft cozy fabrics and add chenille cuddly throws on the arms of your

                          furniture.

Best of all, display eye candy by exploring all your drawers and cabinets and gathering family ritual objects and travel souvenirs. Display them artfully inside shadow boxes, book cases, fire place mantels, dining centerpieces, and along with your buffet table food presentations. Incorporate fresh flowers and candles wherever you can.

Bring out all the best china and linens and not just for the Winter Holidays. How about Sunday brunch before you run off to soccer? Fresh flowers from the garden in a vase with music in the background. This says, "I value my family each day". Take the time to make fun celebrations out of life's mundane events. Plan a day for each child, make their favorite foods and decorate in their favorite colors and not because it is their birthday. Celebrate in honor of an A your child achieved on a difficult report. Don't just clean up your home because company is coming. Show your family they are special enough to plan a party around just because you love and value them.

You have heard of the expression from the film Field of Dreams, "If you build it, he will come."

Do you own a handsome game table? Set it up center stage. If not, place a pretty cloth on a card table or coffee table and before the party begins set them up with playing cards, board games, chess set, dominos, puzzles, and an array of non-messy arts and craft projects.

Plant the props for fun and it is likely to engage multiple generations in play reminiscent of times before the electronic age. However, if your budget can afford it, present the opportunity to play golf or tennis or even Monopoly on Wii and everyone from Nana to the babies can participate in the fun.

Make ritual time to tell your family stories. Get together in the living room and throw out a topic that each member of the family can tell a story about. Document the stories, especially those of older generations, using a video camera, tape recorder, or by creating a photo journal with captions. Make sure your family's history is not lost and it will help you and your children understand where you come from. This is imperative and the most respect you can pay to your heritage.

Do it this season. Create a special time just to record family histories while your loved ones are healthy. Create thought provoking questions and submit them before hand so they can gather their stories. The Holidays provide an ideal time to visit the precious past. Please refer to the marvelous article LA Times.com/HOME, wrote on December 20, 2009, "IT'S ALL RELATIVE, STORIES FOR LIFE"

ARE WE HAVING FUN YET? You can thank me later.

Sari Ehrenreich is available for speaking engagements on a multiple of topics:

   o Designing Homes for Closer Family Connections through cozy visual décor and playtime props

   o Transforming Your Entire Home in One Afternoon into a calmer, more ordered, transformative, 

      beautiful place

She will also discuss her upcoming books

Sari is available for consulting:

   o In person anywhere in the United States

   o Via telecommunications and video submissions of your homes

INQUIRIES please contact Sari Ehrenreich

Sari@saridesigns.com and (310) 454-0928