Home Front: Holiday Decorating with Pomegranates and Other Natural Elements, Christmas Lights, Thrifty Gifts and more

Home Front is an online conversation between two Washington Post Home Section writers and their readers about the best way to feather the nest. Every week, Jura Koncius and Terri Sapienza help you in your quest to achieve domestic bliss. They were online Thursday, December 4.

A transcript follows.

You may also browse an archive of previous Home Front discussions.

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Terri Sapienza: Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us. I don't know about you, but I'm having a hard time believing it's December already. Have you started your holiday shopping? If not, today's section features a story on gifts that are $50 or less, which we hope will be especially helpful given the poor economy. If you have started shopping, we'd love to hear what fun things you've picked up so far and your favorite places to shop. While we're at it, let's share some of the best gifts we've ever received. One of my all-time favorites is a gift from my husband: a dictionary covered in robin's-egg blue leather. I know, I know, a dictionary may not sound so great, but I'm a nerdy writer, so I thought it was perfect and wonderful and so, so pretty. Okay, let's chat...

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Arlington, Va.: Here's a weird Christmas gift question. My friends are big Jacuzzi aficionados. They use their Jacuzzi several times a week. Is there any type of accessory we could buy for them as a gift?

Terri Sapienza: How about a really nice set (or two extra-large) of towels? You could have them monogrammed, too.

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Fireplace tools: A while back, someone asked about finding fireplace tools and screens. I've had good experiences at Target. They have a small selection, but like most of Target's things, they are inexpensive yet stylish. Mine have held up well with average use of the fireplace (1-2 times/week in winter, maybe).

Terri Sapienza: Thanks!

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D.C.: This is a stretch for "home" gurus, but I have no ideas and hope you can help!

I'm hosting my first Christmas this year and am already stumped on the first step: I live in Adams Morgan. I don't have a car. I need a live Christmas tree. Any ideas what the heck to do in this predicament?

Terri Sapienza: I may be wrong, but I think there are services out there that will deliver a tree to you. Let me see if I can find out for you. In the meantime, can anyone else offer any suggestions?

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washingtonpost.com: Gift Ideas for $50 or Less (Post Home Section, Dec. 4)

Terri Sapienza: Here's today's gift guide...

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Gift of Work: For the folks who do not have housekeeping services, I would love for a friend to give me one or two hours of time to dust and vacuum my home. Do an old fashioned cleaning of the fridge? Be still my heart!!! Take down my Christmas tree or put it up!!

Jura Koncius: Yeah!

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Getting Your Christmas Tree Home: Try using the ZipCar alternative. Or catch a ride with a friend.

Terri Sapienza: good suggestion.

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Bethesda: Hi there,

I am looking for a decent and affordable reupholstery store. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.

Jura Koncius: On our list we have Termini & Termini, 5465 Randolph Rd., Rockville, 301 468-0660 and Yi's Interiors, also in Rockville, 301 770-3687, 12200 Parklawn Dr.

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Jura Koncius: Hey everyone. I wanted to thank all of you who turned out for our Post Points Holiday Party on Tuesday. It was fun to meet so many of you who are loyal chatters on Thursdays.

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Christmas Tree: If you live in Adams Morgan you could get a tree delivered from the Garden District. Or lug a small one home in your grocery cart from Bancroft Elementary in Mount Pleasant.

Jura Koncius: Great ideas.

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Favorite gift: A couple of years ago over Christmas, my husband put in tons of shelving in our laundry room/pantry. I was finally able to reorganize all my seldom-used dishes and such, which opened up a lot of cabinet space in my kitchen. It was a wonderful gift.

Jura Koncius: The gift of organization or storage is a superb option.

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Frederick, Md.: We are just finishing our basement. I have an area where I want a table for board games and poker. I want something nice. Should I do small settees with a table that's a little taller than a coffee table? Or should I just get a dining table with some nice padded chairs? The room has a built in mahogany bar and dark wood floors and Benjamin Moore's Golden Retriever paint on the walls. Any thoughts?

Terri Sapienza: Without knowing the size of your space, I think I would opt for a table that would be suitable for dining as well so it's multi-functional.

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Jura Koncius: I want to bring up another subject for today's chat. A very nice loyal chatter named Alicia, whom I met this week, mentioned that this year, she had decided not to put up her Christmas lights or a ton of holiday decorations - She is going to keep it simple and just enjoy her friends. She doesn't have any small children at home, and she doesn't want to add to her energy bill with lights either. Are there others of you who are cutting back on some of this stuff this year?

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Christmas Gift: I wrapped a paint brush up with a note that I would paint the kitchen at my Mom's house.

Terri Sapienza: What a wonderful idea. That's the best kind of gift: thoughtful.

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Arlington, Va.: I love the idea of using natural materials for holiday decorations (e.g., in today's article). It would be great to see a how-to feature on how to do this. Any ideas or recommendations? thanks!

washingtonpost.com: Opportunity Is Knocking In Old Town Alexandria (Post Home Section, Dec. 4)

Jura Koncius: Read Kat Hom's great story today in the HOME section about a neat custom in Alexandria.

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Free Christmas Tree Delivery - Ross Elementary: Hi. Ross Elementary is selling Christmas trees in Dupont Circle and providing free delivery within a couple miles, which should definitely cover Adams Morgan: http://www.rosselementary.org/ChristmasTree2008/Ross2008HolidayTreeFlyer.pdf You can both support the school and get a tree free of hassle.

Jura Koncius: great

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Arlington, Va.: Help, please! On impulse I bought 3 pomegranates yesterday at Trader Joe's, thinking I would use them to make a holiday centerpiece for the table. But what do I do with them? I have magnolia leaves and pine cones, but can't seem to make anything look right. Any suggestions?

Terri Sapienza: Maybe you're trying too hard? All of those items are so pretty already that you really don't have to do anything to make them look good. Maybe you could lay the leaves on the table, then scatter the pinecones and pomegranates on top. Or, put everything together on a large platter. Don't spend too much time "arranging" - there's really no need.

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Silver Spring: I second the gift of house cleaning! We do this for mom every year.

Also helpful, particularly if you know folks who are moving this year or just need some decluttering -- a gift certificate with 1-800-GOTJUNK, or some similar service.

Terri Sapienza: Another great idea. thanks!

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For Treeless Adams Morgan: How about using a Zipcar or bribing a car-owning friend with homemade hot chocolate?

Terri Sapienza: Another vote for a Zipcar. I like the bribe idea. nice touch.

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For Treeless Adams Morgan Again: Garden District will loan you a wagon to bring home your tree, too.

Terri Sapienza: really great tip. thanks.

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Re: Jacuzzi Lovers: How about some nice non-disposable plastic glasses so they can stay hydrated? Or plastic wine-glasses so they don't (haha)?

Jura Koncius: Ha Ha Back!

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Arlington, Va.: Hi, I have a paint question! I painted my bedroom Cumberland Fog and have lived with it for a year. It feels too baby blue or perhaps it is too close to the purples. Do you have any suggestions for a similar blue but maybe a little darker, gender neutral, and contemporary?

Thanks!

Jura Koncius: What paint company is Cumberland Fog?

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Washington, D.C.: When I lived in Adams Morgan I found a Christmas tree vendor at the farmer's market by the Suntrust Bank. Then the problem was getting rid of the tree. It seemed like everyone would sneak out at midnight for a week after Christmas and leave the tree on some street corner, leaving a man made conifer forest!

Jura Koncius: Ha!

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NW D.C.: Hello Home Improvement Divas --

I'm having trouble finding a gray paint color that is not blue, not green, and not taupe, but in fact a true, medium gray. I realize that I'm likely to perceive an undertone in every gray, but I'd like it to be minimal. I'm open to any manufacturer. Suggestions?

Thanks.

Jura Koncius: You know the original color in my dining room was a true gray and I really liked it. Now of course, I have gone to the ever popular and controversial Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore.

I would suggest Gray Timber Wolf by Benjamin Moore.

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State College, Pa.: One more nursery question if you can stand it. I'm thinking of a tangerine and turquoise color scheme -- one wall of each so as not to overwhelm the room -- leaving two walls white. Can you recommend something in the Sherwin Williams line that would work? (My husband the Contractor loves Muralo paint, but we can't get that up here.) We're also going to recarpet the room -- any thoughts about colors for that? Many thanks.

Terri Sapienza: Hmmm... are you sure you want to have three different wall colors in a small space? I'm not a fan of accent walls in general, but I can understand the appeal. So, if you want an accent wall, why not paint with one of the colors and bring the other in with accessories? You could also paint the entire room with a softer shade of one of the colors.

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Enterprise, Ala.: RE: Pomegranates -- get a tray/bowl and some metallic ball ornaments in the same tone and that will make it make it cohesive.

Terri Sapienza: a suggestion for decorating with pomegranates...

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Game Table Suggestion: I would suggest a round table and upholstered wheeled chairs.

Terri Sapienza: thanks.

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I'm thinking of a tangerine and turquoise color scheme -- one wall of each so as not to overwhelm the room: unless you're a Miami Dolphins fan, don't do it. Choose one or the other.

Jura Koncius: Hysterical.

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Alexandria, Va.: I'm trying to read the current House Calls (home office) online, but I keep getting last week's article about the entryway-dining room. This is one of my favorite features - please help.

washingtonpost.com: Here's the direct link -- House Calls: An Eastern Touch (Post Home Section, Dec. 4) -- and I've alerted the proper producer to update the link from the section front. Thanks for the heads up!

Jura Koncius: Our trusty producer Elizabeth is on the case. Thanks! And sorry about that...

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Re Decorations: For me, the non-decorations aren't just because of the economy. I did a little decorating when I was first out on my own (after college), but realized that I found it more annoying and stressful planning, putting it up, etc. than I derived pleasure while it was up. Why add such a thing to my life? So now I just don't do it. There are plenty of public decorations around town for me to enjoy.

Jura Koncius: Those are good thoughts. If it's more stressful than pleasurable, why keep doing it?

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Terri Sapienza: Here's a tree delivery service in DC. http://www.northstartrees.com/default.asp

Delivery will cost you(starting at $30), but there's a $5 coupon on the site, too.

You best bet might be to just ask a friend with a car for a favor.

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Boston, Mass.: I wrote in a few weeks ago asking about Palladian Blue... well, I painted my bedroom with it and it looks amazing! We love it and it's just so warm and cozy. I never would have known about it without this chat, so thanks!!

Jura Koncius: Thanks, Boston! We have a lot of chatters from Massachusetts today! Glad you like it.

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B'More Cat Lover: I lost my dad about a month ago, which makes facing the holidays pretty tough this year.

I decided that...like the song says...We Need A Little Christmas! So I bought a fake tree that is already lit, will put that up this weekend, buy a wreath and decorate it, and add lights around the door to my house.

I will bake cookies, including my Mom's favorite Ginger Crinkles, and take every possible opportunity to cheer myself up.

Jura Koncius: So sorry for your loss. And good for you for trying to be cheery and in the holiday spirit.

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Clifton, Va.: Zipcar folks aren't going to be too happy to get their car back with pine needles in the interior or it scratched up etc.

And always remember to make sure you can carry and lift the tree by yourself. I made the mistake one Christmas of getting a 10ft+ tree that took my brother in law and me to get in the house, etc. I have 12 ft ceilings in my living room. Still is the best looking tree I have ever seen in 49 years. BTW, the Clifton Christmas Tree Farm is the place for Fraser Firs taller than 8 ft, and they can supply 14-16 ft trees.

Terri Sapienza: Well, yes, I hope that anyone borrowing transportation to pick up a tree will be kind (and responsible) enough to clean and vacuum the interior before returning the car.

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Arlington, Virginia: I enjoyed the feature on the Vice President's table setting (November 27th), but felt that what made the white dishes and linens seasonal were the stunning flowers in autumnal colors. How about a full picture, description of the flowers, and designer's name (if any)?

washingtonpost.com: A Family House Second to None (Post Home Section, Nov. 27)

Jura Koncius: I think we did have a full photo of the place setting. The white plates were custom made by Lenox under the direction of the Cheneys and their designer Frank Babb Randolph. The embossed vice presidential crest on the side is understated and elegant and the big dinner plates can be used as chargers, service plates or buffet plates. The lovely linens were custom embroidered with the white on white seal.

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"have gone to the ever popular and controversial Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore": Popular I get (LOVE that color, have it in my bath), but why controversial? The fight over if it's blue or green? I think that depends on each individual's rods and cones in their eyes.

Terri Sapienza: it depends a lot on the amount of light in a room, too.

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Pomegranates: I would do what we used to do in the South when I was growing up. Spray paint the pomegranates, pine cones and other greenery gold, and assemble into a centerpiece. Nothing looks better at Christmas than a nice display of gold. Looks like you are in the money!

Jura Koncius: That is a wonderful idea. In New York last Friday - I did Fifth Avenue on Black Friday - There were fabulous silver paint sprayed driftwood pieces on the outside of the jewelry store next to Bergdorf's - I think it was Van Cleef & Arpels. It framed the doorway and windows along with other silver sprayed greenery - very cool and very hip. Also the Bergdorf's and Barney's windows were fantastic if you get up there.

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Takoma Park, Md.: I have a good friend who has more money than some small countries. Me, poor as a church mouse. I always had a very hard time thinking of cheap homemade things that he would like. Then, the year I moved into my house, I was EXTREMELY broke and gave him a certificate good for seven home cooked meals with the only restriction that they could not be used more than once a week. I then gave him a menu of about 10-12 meals that I know he loved. He raved about that for years!

Terri Sapienza: Wow. Seven meals? That's generous! Especially because I'm sure the ingredients aren't exactly cheap. I think offering even one meal would be just as thoughtful. Nice idea though.

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Outdoor Decorations: Haven't really noticed anyone cutting back on their outdoor decorations... except people (including us) seem to be running about a week behind their regular schedule. Does that count as "cutting back"?

Jura Koncius: Hmmm. Interesting. I notice we have only received ONE Christmas card as of yet - I think everyone is very late in everything... later every year - have you all noticed that?

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NW D.C.: Hi-I have a new chocolate brown/brown black vanity in my bathroon and I want to paint my medicine cabinet mirror to match. Where I can find a matching paint color for this tiny job? Thanks!

Jura Koncius: You could ask the manufacturer of your vanity for a suggestion - or you could bring home some paint chips from your local paint store and see which looks best.

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Wilmington, Del.: Hi! My husband and I just bought a home with original hardwood flooring in most of the downstairs including the dining room and kitchen. These two rooms are essentially one giant entertaining area and I'm confused about area rug choices. If we place one underneath the dining room table do we have to use the same print by the kitchen sink?

Terri Sapienza: Nope, the two don't have to match.

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Christmas Gifts: My husband's grandmother is the hardest person to buy for so this year I decided to do a photo collage of her, her daughter, my husband and his siblings.

Best gift I ever got was the programmable crockpot my sister gave me last year.

Terri Sapienza: That's really nice idea - so thoughtful. I bet your grandmother loved it.

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Re: being late: Thanksgiving was late, threw everything off!

I'm not cutting back, just trying to find the time!

Jura Koncius: Yeah. We hear you.

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Christmas decorating ideas: A friend has a large collection of rhinestone jewelry. Every Christmas, she decorates her Norfolk pine tree with the jewelry, and says it looks great. (I've never actually seen this -- she lives in another state.) I've been tempted to try this.

Jura Koncius: What a wonderful and sparkly idea.

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Oviedo, Fla. : hmmmm... I would hold off on "improvement" gifts unless the person has specifically said they want the service. "Surprise -- rather than treat you to a gift I will make heads or tails of your snake-pit closet" doesn't warm my heart. Kinda sends a mixed message -- not merry merry but 'you slob' or 'poor dear.' No thanks, prefer candy!

Jura Koncius: Good thoughts.

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I think everyone is very late in everything: Thanksgiving was late this year, the 27th

Jura Koncius: True.

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Turquoise and tangerine: are the colors of Howard Johnson's! I always think of working there in the 70's, with my turquoise uniform and that orange roof. $0.81 an hour, too, can you believe it?

Jura Koncius: I so remember that! We always stopped in New England at Howard Johnsons for orange sherbet ice cream and fried clams!

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saving money in Md.: I'm going a little simpler in my decorations this year, but am going to splurge and replace my lights with LEDs. Costs money now, but should save a bunch and last for years.

Jura Koncius: That is very green. And please donate your unused old lights to a charity!

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Christmas tree hair-nets: Not really a decor comment, but I've got to gripe to someone! What is with the National Christmas tree??? It was bad enough in previous years when they hung up and down ribbons of colored pie-plates, but this year they've taken a perfectly good tree and stuck it into a SNOOD! Not a single branch can be distinguished and the entire form is smooshed into a big green pickle! Geesh, why on earth waste a perfectly good tree when any styrofoam form would fill that hair-net of lights just as well, at far less cost, and it could be re-used year after year.

Sorry... I just needed to rant!

Jura Koncius: I am laughing at your observations - pie plates!

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re: pomegranates: I recently saw a bowl with pomegranates and deep pinky-red hued roses -- very pretty. You could get those little vials for the rose stems to hold some water (they'd be hidden when tucked into the bowl).

Jura Koncius: Nice.

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Great source for custom tables: Is it permissible to recommend a local craftsman here? We're turning our graduated daughter's room into a den and we needed a table for our computer that would fit in a particular space. After shopping around, I got interested in custom tables and found Tree Spirit Tables in Libertytown, Md.. (They also have a website.) Dean was a pleasure to deal with and made us a beautiful table which will be a favorite piece for years to come. Custom is expensive, of course, but there's a wide variation in price, so you need to shop around. Dean also worked with a very quick turnaround time, unlike some other makers that we talked with. It's worth a nice drive up to Libertytown to see the work of this local craftsman.

Jura Koncius: I have several friends who have gone to Tree Spirit. Thanks for bringing this up. It's a lovely drive up there. We have friends who have a farm in Libertytown.

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I just don't know: We usually put Christmas lights in the bushes in front of the house, but realized that this year we didn't get two of them trimmed up after they were done flowering. Would we do more harm than good to trim them now so we can decorate?!

Jura Koncius: Adrian Higgins, our gardening expert, says you can still trim them and then put your lights. Enjoy!

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Alexandria, VA: Alicia chiming in. I do bake during the holiday season. Dealing with the other fuss takes away from the time I can spend in my kitchen making the things that my husband and friends like. I'm no Scrooge, but I'd rather spend the time on other projects than lights and decorations that will only collect dust.

Jura Koncius: Baking is far better than putting up dusty lights, I'm with you.

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unless you're a Miami Dolphins fan, don't do it.: Hah! (That's the sport where they kick the ball around, right?) OK, I will try to restrain myself to one color (although you should see the color schemes my husband has pulled together -- they're hideous!).

Jura Koncius: Bless you.

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tree in interior?: Come on... the tree goes on the roof, tied on with a cord. Use an old sheet or furniture pad to protect the car. Been doing this for years with no problems (haven't tried highway speeds)...

Terri Sapienza: Oh, right, of course. I don't know what I was thinking. Trees typically go on top of the cars. duh. though, some people with smaller spaces may opt for smaller trees, which could technically be transported inside the car and drop lots of needles.

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'you slob' : I wouldn't care at all. Send the crew over so I can enjoy! Hello, my name is Beth and I'm a slob.

Jura Koncius: Thank you for your honesty!

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Richmond: The funny story about people illicitly trying to dispose of Christmas trees in urban areas makes me think that rather than fight reality, why not admit your lifestyle doesn't support a live tree? Don't get a fake, but decorate a Fig tree, or Rubber Tree plant or something more compatible with your urban lifestyle. Forcing stuff that doesn't really fit our circumstances isn't "green." Reducing our footprint is about real appropriate choices, not just putting a "think globally" bumper sticker on our car.

Jura Koncius: Richmond weighs in.

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low cost but high sentimental value: I take lots of photos of family throughout the year. I find my favorite ones and get them printed cheap at Target. Then buy Christmas cards with photo frames on front. Each family gets new candid photos of their kids each year. One year I printed a bunch of photos at home and used them to decorate gift boxes. Then filled the boxes with homemade cookies and fudge for gifts.

Jura Koncius: Good for you. Nice ideas.

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Re: Christmas Trees: Wow, you guys are great! These tips are just what I needed. Thank you so much!

Terri Sapienza: your welcome! good luck with your tree.

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less decorations: I am probably a minority in this, but secretly, I wish for my house to look like the Griswolds' from the movie Christmas Vacation! 100's of lights (LED of course to be more environmentally conscious) attached to my house. Then the cheesiest lawn decorations I can find. Sigh. A girl can dream, can't she?

Jura Koncius: Keep Dreaming!!! Maybe in 2010!

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Washington DC: Window treatment question: I have three evenly spaced windows in my bedroom (across the 2nd floor front of my rowhouse). The miniblinds we have now are so hard to keep clean -- it's a busy street and we seem to get a lot of grime. Washable curtain panels seem like the answer, but they won't work on the middle window, which has the old-fashioned radiator beneath it. We need some functionality, too -- privacy & nighttime light-blocking. Thoughts?

Terri Sapienza: How about shutters?

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Boston: Hmmm, I was actually kind of thinking I was cutting back, but in a different way. I'm entertaining more at home, so did more decorating then usual. Didn't buy much new stuff for the decoration I suppose.

Jura Koncius: Cutting back on going out means you want your home to look its best. Good for you.

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Getting your Christmas Tree home: You could rent a pickup truck from Hertz or one of the other rental companies. Doesn't Enterprise pick you up, too? Pickups used to be $19/day a couple years go... don't know about now.

Jura Koncius: Thanks.

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North Bethesda, Md: We're definitely doing a smaller Christmas this year - and so far its divine. Rather than wrestling with a live tree and getting out all the decorations, we have a fiber optic tree that is just plain fun to look at - and it only took about 5 minutes to put up. No needles, and we can re-use it in other years too.

Jura Koncius: I want a fiber optic tree. Putting up our real tree is such a multi-step process..

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Terri Sapienza: Looks like we're out of time today. Great chat - thanks for joining us. talk to you next week. In the meantime, stay warm and get your shopping done!

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my holiday craft: (which I think I mentioned here last week) is making pomander balls for friends. Stick whole cloves in oranges (or lemons) in patterns, or all over (allowing for a little shrinkage). Dry in 200 degree oven for a few hours (sometimes I just wrap them in newspaper and put on top of radiator to dry). Top with looped ribbon if it's meant to hang. They can be hung, put in lingerie drawers, or piled in bowl as decorations.

Terri Sapienza: thanks

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National tree: Last week on the way to the gym I saw easily a dozen police cars and I was wondering what the fuss was all about -- since it was at 5 am. Then I saw a huge trailer with National Christmas Tree on the side. Pretty cool sight at 5 am.

I have to agree with the poster, they do this every year with covering the tree in that mesh covering. Takes away from the tree but I guess it helps protect the ornaments?

BTW, am loving the artist and her controversial ornament.

Terri Sapienza: last one. thanks.

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