Christmas Decorating: Going the Extra Mile

I'm not exactly crafty. My ambitions for Christmas decorations extend to hanging lights outside and plugging in the illuminated snowman. On the other side of the spectrum, my neighbor does the all-out, computer-controlled lights from his rooftop to the mailbox, all synch'd to music you can pick up on your radio.

I put together some tips from the Historic Hotels of America, and they're a lot more naturally creative -- using fresh greenery for wreaths, citrus fruits for a centerpiece, and cinnamon sticks, cloves and paperwhites to add a holiday scent. Lots of tips, too, on keeping poinsettias fresh throughout the season. Top 10 Tips for Christmas Decorations from the hotel experts.

^{Image courtesy Bellagio Las Vegas}