I'm dreaming of a GREEN Christmas

I hadn't even picked out my Halloween pumpkin yet and stores were glitzed up with lights and plastic evergreen. What will the color scheme be this year? It's a hard decision; blue and silver, burgundy and gold, teal and fuchsia, violet? Aisles of rainbows encircle department stores and those same colors (a few years out) adorn resale stores.

Thankfully, according to local designers interviewed in this month's Milwaukee magazine, local cuisine and au natural decor are all the rave this season. Here's a recap of the hottest trends and how to do it for less.


James Connelly of Connelly Interiors, Whitefish Bay recommends using lush evergreens to create a visual and scent-ual welcome. Usher in guests with a door wreath and big, green-filled urns. Inside, double up on the evergreen garland for the staircase.

How to do it for less: It is pruning season after all! Lamm's Nursery is also holding classes for swag, wreath and planter decorating at around $25 per class. 

What's hot in holiday decor?
No matter what your aesthetic style, candles and natural elements can fit the bill.

According to CJ Mueller of Haven Interiors, Milwaukee, a number of simple items can go along way.

• Encircle votives on a white table cloth under a vase of white branches send a clean modern look
• Use topiaries, tapered candles and pinecones to provide an ageless traditional look. 
• Going for the earthy aesthetic used the same materials-just more of them! Fill baskets of acorns and pinecones, add votives to hollowed out gourds, and fill vases with pine boughs and red berry stems.

What compost-able holiday decor has your family made into tradition? Reply to this post with your ideas for a chance to win a suet "stocking" or mini-green kitchen kit in time for the holidays.