Using flowers from the garden to decorate is a fast and easy routine during the summer. Fall lends itself to more sumptuous decorating. The richer colors, dried seed pods and grasses and ample harvest provide supplies for some wonderful centerpieces, swags, and crafts.

Decorating Kit - Put together a box of tools to pull out when decorating for the holidays. Some items to include: a tape measure, pencil, craft wire paddles, wire, pipe cleaners, raffia, nails, cup hooks, tape, wax pellets, felt circles, scissors, clippers, pliers, a hot glue gun, and a hammer.

Found Items - Walk through the woods in the fall and bring back some of the items you'll use to decorate your home: pinecones, twigs, cattails, wheat, branches, or anything else that appeals to you.

Reuseable Decor - Invest in some preserved real leaves, available from craft supply stores or a florist. These natural leaves on branches have been treated to remain pliable, and are available in gold, brown, red, and orange. Get a handful of wheat stalks too. While you're shopping look at the fall ribbons, mini lights, and artificial fall vines or garlands.

Fall Wreaths - Decorate your door with a long-lasting fall wreath that you make yourself. Our easy technique means that once you assemble a few materials, you can have it hanging on your door in less than 15 minutes.

Storage - Store your fall garlands and permanent decorations in a large covered plastic box labeled "Fall". If you've cut garlands to fit specific locations, attach a card with a twist tie, noting this information. Obviously candy, fresh produce, and pumpkins should be used or thrown away after the holiday, however dried corn, preserved leaves, wheat stalks, and dried berries will generally last several years if stored properly.