December 2016

Make It Your Own

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No purchase necessary to enter or win. Subject to Official Rules available at BHG.com/Loloirugs. The A Rug for Every Room Sweepstakes begins at 12:01 a.m. CT on 10/01/16 and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on 12/31/16. Open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States, and the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, 21 years or older.

EMILY CLARK

BHG GIFT GUIDE

When you do good, you feel good. Try one of these ideas to give a gift that helps others.

We'll toast to that

Pop a cork and follow party maven Darcy Miller's ideas for Champagne add-ins that will guarantee your celebration sparkles.

COLOR BERRY REDS

Fiery, bold, powerful, racy-- red is synonymous with high energy. Its mood-lifting vibrancy is just the sort of thing we crave in the gray days of winter. (Maybe that's why they feature so prominently in holiday decorations?) But red's strength also makes it tough to use without overwhelming. We've unwrapped the tricks to using these juicy tones in warm, livable rooms.

Christmas in the country

Craft-making, cookie-baking, and hall-decking-- it's all happening at this Vermont farmhouse that holds eight grown-ups, seven grandkids, and one fun grandma.

UP YOUR TREE GAME

Try a few simple strategies to make choosing, decorating, and taking down your Christmas tree a little easier this year.

MERRY AND MOD

Shiny Brite ornaments were a staple of midcentury Christmases, and you can still buy them today. New or old, their bright colors and metallic finishes look so right now.

PUNCH LIST

A bit of jewelry for your front door, a door knocker hints at what lies beyond. Check out this roundup of rappers with something to say.

I did it!

I did it! Inspired by an antique from her childhood and a new piece from a popular retailer, this carpenter's daughter designed and built a trunk that's all her own.

SMART HOME REBOOT

HOME INNOVATION IS LIKE FASHION: IT'S ALWAYS CHANGING. WE ASKED SHELLY PALMER, OUR TECH INTERPRETER, FOR THE LATEST TRENDS AND HOW TO MAKE SMART CHOICES FOR YOUR HOME.

CAMP CHRISTMAS

IN THE WISCONSIN WOODS 90 MILES NORTH OF CHICAGO SITS CAMP WANDAWEGA. SUMMERS ARE A BLUR OF CREATIVE RETREATS AND AIRBNB GUESTS. COME WINTER, IT HOSTS A WEEKEND OF OLD-FASHIONED FUN FOR A GROUP OF FRIENDS.

SIMPLY RED

WE CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF POINSETTIAS-- REAL, FAUX, OR CRAFTED. EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF THE TROPICAL PLANT THAT WARMS OUR COLDEST MONTHS.

EURO STAR

SHE'S FRENCH, HE'S GERMAN, THEIR SON IS ALL AMERICAN. FOR THIS FAMILY, CHRISTMAS AT HOME IN SAN FRANCISCO HAS A CONTINENTAL TWIST.

THE POINSETTIA WORKBOOK

Here's how to make the projects from "Simply Red," p. 102-107. Download bract templates at BHG.com/Poinsettias.

GREAT HEIGHTS

Filled with greenery, berry sprigs, and pinecones, everyday white bowls stack up to make an easy, long-lasting winter centerpiece.

Better

including filling out forms. Just 20 minutes is with the doctor. Here's how to make the most of that face time:

HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING

It's tempting to open store accounts for that initial discount, but using multiple credit cards makes it hard to stay on top of spending. Instead, use one card with a good rewards program, says consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch.

BHG throwback GOT YOU COVERED

Peace on Earth

GIVING IS...FUN AND EASY WITH THIS HOLIDAY HANDBOOK FULL OF DIY GIFTS. LET'S START WITH IDEAS FOR THE HOME.