DECORATING DORM ROOMS

BY CHARITY & SUSAN BISHOP

When encouraging some of my friends to decorate this Christmas, they complained that they share a dorm room with other girls and there isn't room for a Christmas tree ... plus, life at college often demands a tight budget. So my mom and I came up with some nifty tips and tricks for making your dorm room look amazing around the holidays.

Even the smallest homes or dorm rooms can add a bit of decoration. Hang a wreath (they are half price right now) where you will see it when you open the door. Or put blinking lights around your window. Or a candle display on your dresser or mantle (even if you aren't allowed to burn candles, you might be allowed to display them). The angel from the top of a Christmas tree also ads a note of festivity. A small nativity scene can also be set up. 

Use string and a couple of small nails to display your Christmas cards. Just drape them over the string. If your friends don't have your dorm address, purchase cards and display them! Then take them down one by one and send them out to your friends.

Sometimes it's fun to find a box with a lid (a shoe box would work) and wrap them separately so you can take the lid off. You can use the pretty paper and beautiful ribbon and have a wonderful place to store little gifts like chocolate oranges or cookies wrapped in cellophane and a pretty bow. Having a beautiful gift box in your room at school can add such a wonderful sense of Christmas and give you a reason to give little gifts.

Don't dismay if you don't have room for a tree or have very little money. Use your creative mind and come up with a way your home and room can say, "Merry Christmas! Come share it with me!"

Scent is Everything. Even if you cannot go all-out in decorating a dorm room, you can simmer potpourri. There are relatively inexpensive candle sets that you can purchase at any store that put beautiful scents into the air, and there's so many to choose from, from cinnamon to evergreen! Burn them while you're there (not while you're gone!!) and you'll be surprised coming back from class how wonderful the room smells. If you have a roommate, however, check with her before doing this. Some people are allergic to candles and particular scents. You wouldn't want to cause her to have a sneezing fit!

Beth says, "If you want softer lighting around the house while entertaining, use tea lights. You have to be careful of the placement, but you can get a bag of 100+ for under $5.00. I use them in my fire place to add light instead of a fire. One of the benefits of tea light candles is that they are fragrance free. This allows them to be placed around food without interfering with the taste of the food. Be creative with the placement and holders for them. Use them with glass, jars, or even metal condiment cups."