With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, it’s officially time to start gathering holiday decorations and planning which holiday décor to add to the home. Want a little help crafting this season’s decorating scheme? Read on for 9 keys to success when selecting and hanging Christmas décor.

There’s a reason major department stores have already unveiled their holiday windows. Prepping and hanging your holiday decorations well before the holiday rush is a win for two major reasons. First, it allows everyone to enjoy the lovely holiday décor for so much longer. And second, it separates the work of decorating from the heavy cooking, hosting and gift-wrapping commitments that begin to pop up once mid-December rolls around.

Not sure where to begin? Even if those twinkle lights aren’t quite untangled and ready for hanging, the days after Thanksgiving are a great time to swap those doorstep pumpkins for a gorgeous Christmas wreath like this beauty from the Amazon holiday décor collection.

So much of Christmas décor involves a home’s exterior: the wreaths, the lights, or even the occasional outdoor Christmas banner. But home is where the heart is, so this year, try adding little touches of holiday décor to every room of the house to maximize the spirit of the season. 

Now, that doesn’t mean there has to be a tree and mistletoe in every gathering space. But including small surprises, such as seasonal throw pillows in the living room, or adorable Christmas-themed curtain tie-backs in the bedroom, can go a long way towards spreading holiday cheer.

It can be incredibly difficult to find the perfect fresh tree for the home. There is so much to consider if that tree is to last through the entire holiday season. Look for a fir with needles that stay put in the face of gentle tugging, and are strong enough not to snap when bent in two. 

Pay attention to the limbs as well—shake them to see how many needles fall off, and if it’s more than a couple, look for a different tree. Also take note of the tree’s trunk: a bottom that’s got plenty of resin indicates a healthy state of being. 

Sound like a lot of work? It really is. So, in order to save time and effort this holiday season, consider switching to an elegant—and effortless—artificial Christmas tree. Bonus: many come pre-lit, to cut down on decorating time.

Are children, pets and clumsy relatives part of this season’s festivities? Make sure to plan accordingly with holiday décor, hanging delicate Christmas decorations like these glass ornaments on top of the tree, and sticking to more resilient items such as these plush gnomes in low-lying spots or areas of higher traffic.

It’s ok to move beyond red, green and white with this year’s holiday décor. And mixing fresher colors in with that traditional Christmas palette can offer a great new take on predictable decorating scenarios. One great way to add additional colors to the mix? Try an edgier blend of black-and-red, with holiday décors like these buffalo check decorative letters that spread a message of Joy—and out-of-the-box design ideas.

So much of this holiday season is about bringing the outdoors inside—there’s the real or artificial Christmas tree and the Christmas wreath. But the holiday decoration greenery doesn’t need to end there. Try extending the natural component of this year’s holiday décor with items like this greenery-inspired mailbox-topper or a  Christmas tree-themed centerpiece for the mantle over the fireplace.

In a house filled with gorgeous holiday decorations, it’s even more important to set an equally festive holiday table. For a dose of subtle elegance, incorporate small hints of the festive spirit with pieces like these holiday-themed Lenox glass old fashion bar ware. Prepare for holiday entertaining with special serving ware like this gold, leaf-shaped hors d’oeuvres platter, which can also work well for year-round special occasions. Or skip the holiday dishes entirely, and set the mood with Christmas decorations like this wooden Ho Ho Ho table topper—much easier to store at the end of the holiday season.

One unwritten rule of the holiday season—unexpected guests will stop by, and a well-prepared host can plan ahead for this eventuality with a smart holiday décor addition: the Christmas gift bowl. The concept is simple. Place a decorative bowl near the home’s entryway, and keep it stocked with fun—and affordable—items like these sweet Christmas socks. Then, if someone not on that holiday shopping list stops by with a gift (or even a dreaded fruit cake) simply point them in the direction of the gift bowl and forget about worries of unrequited seasonal generosity!

If the holidays are starting to feel like work, that means something is wrong. This time of year is supposed to be about joy and celebration, not about hanging holiday decoration until the tears start to fall. Want to bring fun back into this time of year? Playful holiday décor is a great way to do just that—and to show off a seasonal sense of humor. 

Got kids in the family—or on the block? This eight-foot inflatable polar bear decoration—complete with penguin riders and built-in LED lights—is sure to bring smiles. (And the crowds of admirers, too!) In chilly climates—like here in Chicago—this Happiness Snowman Snow Gauge adds whimsy, and a touch of practicality, to the front or back yard design scheme.  Finally, for the truly bold decorator, consider bringing this Santa and Reindeer Inflatable inside the four walls of the home. It’s sure to bring an unexpected smile to the faces of guests and family members. And, at the end of the day, isn’t that what this time of year is all about?

What are your time-tested holiday decoration ideas? Comment below!