ITINERARY
ILLUSTRATION:GRAHAMROUMIEU;WILLOWBRANCHES: ROBERTHOLLINS
18
DECEMBER 01, 2011
AA.COM/AMERICANWAY
AvoidaGriswold
Holiday-DecorDebacle
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}
Everyneighborhoodalways
has thatonehouse thatgoesastep too faron theholidaydecor.Weall know it,
andwhileweallpolitelynodandsmilewithagood-naturedchuckle, insidewe’rewondering ifMr. andMrs. Smith, the
sanest people in theneighborhood,were somehowbody-snatchedbyalienswhohaveapenchant for over-the-top,
awe-inspiring-in-the-wrong-wayoutdoorChristmasdecorations. Inotherwords,ClarkGriswold.Herearea fewsimple
tips tohelpyouavoidbeing
that
houseon theblock.
Don’t
attempttomakeyour
lawn levitatewithmultiple
inflatables.
Yes, little children
love them. But agiantRudolph,Mr.
andMrs. Frosty, plus the life-size
snowglobes areoverkill.
Do
haveaplan.
A littlepre-
emptivework cankeepyou from
running short on lights, hangers,
garland, etc.
Don’t
riskyourownneck.
If
your rooflinewouldmakeSanta
cringe, then call aprofessional.
Do
tellsomeonewhenever
youheadtotheattic.
There’s a
reason the loneman tangled in
lightshasbecomean iconof
holiday stress.
Don’t
justfling lights
onyourtrees.
It’snot artsy;we
knowyouwere just too lazy to
drag the ladder out of thegarage.
Do
usediscretionwhen
choosinghowmany lights
tohang.
There’snoneed tomake
your houseandyard sobright it
canbe seen from the space station.
Santawill find thekids just fine.
Don’t
ignoredroops.
If ablusterynorthwindhas
itswaywithyour twinkle
lights, drag the ladder out
againand rehang them.
Repeat asnecessary.
Do
decoratewith
meaningfulitems.
Weave thesehand-
blownpoinsettiaglobes
byartist StephenKitras
intohanginggarlands for an
understatedelegance. Repeat:
understatedelegance.
$42,www.uncommongoods.com
Don’t
haveasinglespastic
bush.
Seriously, if you can’t figure
out how to takea strandoff “blink”
mode, then leave it unplugged.
Do
addasubtlewowfactor
toyourentry.
After all, it’s
themain thoroughfare. Try
prelitwillowbranches like
these.
$10,www.save-
on-crafts.com
Don’t
,underanycir-
cumstances,blareholiday
musicfromspeakershid-
denonyourfrontporch.
This
especially includes anyholiday
songbyAlvinand theChipmunks.
HOW TO
>
{ HOTEL }
Pawsand
Relax
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}
Can’tbear to
partwith
your furry friendswhileaway for
theholidays?Kimpton’s
VEROBEACHHOTELANDSPA
.com) has theperfect solution
for youandFidoor Fifi. The
oceanfront resort inVeroBeach,
Fla., isofferingaPaws andRelax
pet-friendly travel package that
includes treats and spa treatments
for anall-aroundpet-tacular time.
Startingat $199per night, the
package includes accommodations
inapremier room, agift bag filled
withnatural treats and toys from
theDashingDogBoutique, a spa
dayatBlueRibbonGroomer and
aDayat theCape,whereyour pet
will socializeoceansidewithother
furryguests. For you, there’s a
privatebeach, anocean-viewpool
andamenities likeon-demand
yogaandPilates. Theoffer isbased
onavailabilityand isonlyvalid
throughDec. 30, sowe suggest
youpackyour pet carrier pronto.
