You might not have enough time to get your home looking like new for your holiday guests. But that doesn't mean that you can't have guests over to celebrate!

By making some simple fix-ups, your home will look welcoming and warm without major changes.

For example, walk outside your home by the front door all the way to the sidewalk or the street, turn around, and look back at your house. What would you see first?

Scraggly plants, brown grass, snow-covered sidewalk, house light bulb burned out? Not very welcoming! If you need to, sweep the sidewalk, shovel the show, use a broom to clear off spider webs or major dust, and clean off the front porch.

Replace burned light bulbs. Clean off the "Welcome" door mat so that your guests really feel welcome. Read more

• Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Welcoming for Holiday Guests

Photo: Ivan Hunter / Getty Images

Try one of our seven super fast and easy decorating ideas to perk up a plain Christmas wreath.

You can find these items in your local craft store or florist supply store - or you may already have what you need packed away with your holiday supplies.

For various elements you can use picks of sparkling crystals, faux sugared fruits, or metallic snowflakes. Stick these into your wreath here and there, using wire to attach them more permanently if needed. Read more

• Super Fast and Easy Ways To Decorate a Christmas Wreath

Decorating a room or party around a theme has been popular for ages. Each year, department stores choose a theme for their Christmas decorations.

Party planners choose a theme for the focus of big celebrations. The Tournament of Roses President chooses a theme for the festivities on New Year's Day. Parents choose a theme to decorate their child's room.

It's only natural that you'd think of choosing a theme to decorate your home for Christmas. Having a unified theme helps the look to flow from room to room or tree to table.

Choose to showcase a special collection that you can't have on display all year. Christmas is the perfect time to give these items a place of distinction, enjoy them, share them, then put them away until next year. Read more

• Create Unique Christmas Decor Around a Special Interest

Yes, Christmas decorating is temporary. However, it also brings so much childhood magic and joy that most of us do not mind spending a lot of time re-creating this magic!

It might be a good idea to follow the same decorating principles that you'd use when decorating your home for the long run. It just makes it easier and keeps the process more under control.

See if our Christmas design principles will help you decorate your home for the holidays. Read more

• Principles of Design for Christmas Decorating

Photo: (c) Fleur Suijten