Last month I wrote about the lists that appear as early as the end of October stating the things you should/must do to have the best holiday season. I'm all for being organized and keeping a focus during an often busier than usual time of year, but remember that these lists are guidelines, not things that must be done.

Decide what is important to you this year. It may not be the same things that were important to you last year. Keep those holiday traditions that you enjoy and reserve the option of bypassing those that you don't. You can always bring back the ones you miss next year and they may be more enjoyable because of their absence!

Do you like the idea of a cookie exchange but dread having to find the time to make dozens? Put your own spin on it and you can re-energize this tradition.

There are basic cookie doughs that can be used to make several different types of cookies. Make a few batches in advance and print out recipe sheets/cards for the variations. Then invite your guests to a Cookie Make, Bake and Take. Offer freshly brewed coffee, teas, warm cider or mulled wine and let everyone try their hand at the cookie press, rolling pin and cookie cutters. Cookies can be sampled as they cool.

Plan on having enough for guests to take home about a dozen cookies or so if they wish. They can bring their own containers or plates or you can furnish cookie tins or plates as favors or gifts.

Would you rather skip the making and baking and go right to the exchanging? Consider asking everyone to bring their favorite boxed gourmet cookies (or something they'd like to try) for a little indulgence.

If you'd like to share a photo of your revamped cookie exchange, please email your photo to me at faulknerredesign@aol.com with a short description of your party.

I love Christmas music. Having it on in the background as I prepare for the holidays is part of my holiday ritual. I don't love all Christmas music and I'm sure that many will agree that we could have lived a lifetime without some including the one about grandma and the reindeer. You know the one I mean. You can be going along listing to lovely tunes and suddenly comes this jarring song. Immediately the mood is shattered.

With all the technology we have access to there is no reason why you should have to listen to anything but your holiday favorites. Try Pandora and create your own holiday radio station online. It's easy and you may come across selections you never knew existed. There is a free version and a subscription version with more options.

You can create customized stations for every holiday mood- romantic, party, easy listening-you name it. Your Pandora stations can be shared on Twitter and Facebook and loaded onto your cell phone.

Need little stocking stuffers? Make customized radio stations for your family and friends with their all time favorite music-not just holiday tunes. Isn't technology wonderful? Click below for more on Pandora.

Love the fancy chargers you see in magazines and catalogs but not their cost? Do you want something a little different from the red, gold, silver and green chargers that are certainly affordable but don't go with your dish pattern? Try creating your own to play up the colors or style of your dinnerware. Start with inexpensive plastic chargers, often available for a few dollars each, then prime, paint and embellish.

Go glam with antiqued silver, gold or copper effects. Faux stone chargers under earthenware can make your everyday pattern take on a more sophisticated look. Create interest with a pearlized paint to set off small intricate patterns. Chargers are about 13" in diameter which is large enough to allow 1 1/2 " to frame most dinner plates. Measure your dinner plates to determine the size of your charger. If you are planning a luncheon or just want to start your first course with salad or soup, dinner sized plates can serve as chargers under a smaller salad plate.

Otherwise, clear plastic buffet plates, small serving trays and platters, all without an embossed pattern can be transformed into an accent for your tableware. They can be found in multi-packs or individually at party stores and Walmart for example.

Prime using paint meant for plastic applications. Allow to dry thoroughly and smooth any rough spots by "sanding" with pieces of a paper bag or plain craft paper. Wipe with a tack cloth to remove any dust. Now you are ready to add your color or design. Once completely dry, add several light coats of sealer.

This is a fun craft project for older kids and is a great way to use up odds and ends of craft paint. Remember that your chargers are not meant for serving food directly on them and aren't dishwasher safe. Treat them gently and they may last for several meals. Read more below.

This is the perfect time of year to pick up those accessories you've wanted to add to your home and entertaining inventory. Sales abound and stores are brimming with selections not found at any other time of the year. With so much to choose from it is easy to get carried away. Avoid buyers remorse and many unhappy returns by making a list of the things you really need or can really use, then make a separate list of the things that would be nice to have. Now look at the list. Anything that can be used in several ways, is classic in style and can be stored easily should get a star or go to the head of the list. Take photos of your rooms or areas where the things may be used and jot down measurements. If you have color or fabric samples take them with you. Do a search online to compare prices and shipping and return costs. You are now armed and ready to shop!

Candles, candlesticks, pedestal cake plates, accent pillows and throws, serving trays, picture and photo frames, area and hearth rugs, partyware, serving pieces and more can be found in department stores to grocery stores. Places that don't usually sell these items may have them at great prices. Don't overlook party stores, drugstores and dollar stores.

Items decorated with holiday designs limit their use. If your budget is tight or storage space is an issue, go with items that may have typical holiday colors but can be used throughout the year.

Glass and crystal candlesticks are a classic choice and can be used throughout the year. Serving trays that can be left out throughout the year as decorative accents or be used as a base for arrangements are particularly desirable.

The bamboo tea tray shown is the perfect example of a multiple use accessory. Used as a tea serving tray, it also stores and presents teabags to your guests. It could also serve as a wine tray and hold wine accessories such as silver drip rings, wine tags and more. It could also sit on a desk and hold paper and small supplies in the sectioned drawer. For more on the tray please click below.

If you find a particularly great multipurpose accessory this year, email me about your find. You may be featured in an upcoming newsletter!

Candles are such a basic staple in holiday decorations, yet did you know that:

Whether you are addicted to HGTV and decorating shows or you feel decorating challenged, attending my Redesign Parties, will clue you into design secrets, tips and techniques that will jumpstart your redesign projects. The fun and informative parties are offered in real homes like yours. You will learn how easily a room can be transformed from OK to Oh, WOW! using traditional design principles and innovative techniques.

How can you get "in the know"? Call or email me now for information about attending or about the benefits of hosting a Redesign Party at 703-689-9886 , FaulknerRedesign@aol.com or pam.faulkner@faulknerhouse.com