Come holiday season, even the most conservative decorator can go a little crazy with the tinsel. And let's face it, when it comes to holiday decorating, Pinterest is not always your best friend. But you can avoid becoming the Clark Griswald of the neighborhood by following these timely holiday decorating do's and don'ts.

DON'T FORGET THE MANTLE.
Small as it may be, the fireplace mantel can be intimidating to decorate. The trick is to pick one color and keeping it simple. As in this example that features a decanter with silver ball ornaments and a matching silver reindeer.

DON'T OVER-DO THE FRONT LAWN.
Every neighborhood has the one front lawn that looks like a holiday yard sale. Don't be that be yours. When it comes to decorating the front yard, minimalism rules. Pick a concept and stick with it. In other words, don't mingle your reindeer in with your nativity scene. 
And ask yourself, "Do I really need 5 Santas?" 

DO USE OVER-SIZED BULBS.


Brighten your holiday by thinking outside the box. Go big, bold, and bright on the tree or hang some colorful strings along your mantel, window frames, or stairway banister.
You can find C7 and C9 bulbs of every color here. 

DO REMEMBER THE FRONT DOOR.

Greet your holiday guests by adding a decorative holiday wreath to your door. Consider adding garlands to extend the look along your front porch or balcony. Here are some very nice garland ideas.

DON'T FORGET THE BATHROOM.
The holidays are a time for entertaining, which means having guests in the house. So why not extend your decorating scheme to the bathroom? Extend your holiday cheer to the Give your powder room a festive touch by adding a candle or small bowl of holiday ornaments near the wash basin. 

DON'T FEAR THE POINSETTIA.
Sure, ingesting a poinsettia in large quantities can cause a tummy ache, but it's not likely to kill you. While you may not want to keep poinsettias in easy reach of children or pets, there is no need to keep them on your Naughty decorations list.

DON'T LIMIT YOUR COLOR CHOICES.
Red, gold and green may be the classic holiday colors, but other colors can be just as festive and appropriate. And don't forget that you can complement your bulb colors with wrapping paper, lights and other decorations. Check out our fun selection of multi-colored Christmas ball ornaments.

DON'T KEEP YOUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON ALL NIGHT.
Leaving your lights and mechanical reindeer on all night is bad for the environment (and your electric bill) and may cost you a few neighborhood friends. So practice good Christmas light etiquette by turning off your lights before you go to bed. Santa will still be able to find your house - we promise!

DON'T LET HOLIDAY LIGHTS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD.
Keep your holiday bright and safe by always inspecting lights for any loose bulbs or protruding wires. And make sure your lights are secure and that there aren't any loose ends that can be tripped over. If you have children or pets, make sure to use cord covers.

DON'T KEEP YOUR DECORATIONS UP UNTIL VALENTINE'S DAY.
Don't leave your tree up until the needles fall off. By then, it's time to pack those ornaments away and properly dispose of your tree. Many towns offer recycling services for trees past their prime. Check your local newspaper or contact your local Boy Scouts.