By Leslie Linsley

Author of “Nantucket Island Living” (Monicelli)

Nantucket is a special place where the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas is celebrated.  Hanging a wreath or a sprig of evergreens on the front door is a traditional early American custom and the shelves in Housewares are overflowing with everything you need to express your creativity. Outside, the scent of freshly cut trees is positively intoxicating! The following are quick and easy decorating ideas.

And don’t forget to visit the Festival of Trees at the Whaling Museum for a ton of inspiration! 

1. For an authentic Island-theme, wrap your tree with strands of scallop lights.  Lili Grace, in Housewares, has gone all out, stocking the shelves with locally made strands in different lengths, as well as scallop shell ornaments to hang on branches. The ornaments are perfect as napkin holders too. Tie with ribbon and clusters of gold or silver jingle bells. Brighten a dark corner with a basket filled with a bunched-up strand 
2. For a classic Nantucket centerpiece use a Lightship basket to hold one large or 3 small red or white Poinsettias. Add Colonial Candles in hunter green and cranberry red, Sensational on a wooden table!
3. Dress up the mantel or side table with greens, glass balls and a strand of scallop lights. 
4. Fill clear glass containers with gold and silver balls and insert a delicate strand of battery-operated mini lights-60 clear lights to a strand. 
5. Create a scene on a bed of greens with framed family photographs that tell a chronological story.  Add pine scented ornament sticks (located on an end shelf.) 
6. For an all-white décor, use fluffy quilt batting on a mantel with red balls on top - like finding cherries in the snow!
7. Fill 1/3 of a clear glass vase with cranberries, add water and insert lots of red and white tulips or fresh pine branches. Fill another with tiny Brussels sprouts. Add greens and lime green candles, 
8. A crafty hostess gift: Decorate a paper paint bucket to hold a Poinsettia. 

Quick Tip: Traveling with little ones for the holidays? Pick up a plastic box with divider sections for nails and such, in the tool department. Fill each section with tiny snacks like Cheerios, mandarin oranges, etc. Happy Holidays!