Decorating for the holidays/Accessories are key to setting the tone

Editor's note: This is the third article in a four-part series about holiday decorating. The series will conclude on Friday.

Gorgeous holiday centerpieces don't always require a lot of time or expensive materials. It doesn't always have to be a floral arrangement that you buy and then store for a year, and then take out to find it's squished or faded!

A clear glass bowl, platter or silver tray can host a few perfect decorations: One stunning holiday ornament, a few sprigs of evergreens (I always use artificial), and a single perfect rose can be enough. You can keep the rose fresh by inserting the stem into a florist's water tube, then hide it under the greenery.

A large bowl or vase can be filled with ornaments in the colors of your theme. You can sprinkle potpourri in and around your ornaments along with miniature lights to warm the potpourri and make it smell even better. If you choose this option, don't use plastic ornaments.

I have used a clear glass bowl, with a peppermint candle for the middle, and filled with peppermints all around. If you're not into eating the candy, take it out of the wrappers, and it will add to the candle's aroma.

If you have a village or collections to display, be sure to vary the heights. Use a sheet and add some flaked snow, and hide boxes under the sheet to give the impression of hills and mountains for a more realistic look.

If you're a seamstress, make festive pillow covers, or if you have solid-colored pillows, wrap a big gold bow around them. You may want to sew "sleeves" to pull down over chair backs, or wrap big bows around the backs of dining room chairs in your color schemes.

Quilters, take out your Christmas quilts and display them on your beds.

If you can't find holiday napkins, find Christmas-themed fabric and cut a square of 22 inches. Cut four large squares, at least 18 inches square, in a contrasting color or pattern. Stitch the smaller square into the larger one without hemming either piece, and then unravel the threads up to the stitching line to make fringe.

Make an Acorn Kissing Ball: Collect a bunch of acorns with their caps still on. Hot glue sheet moss over a 3 inch Styrofoam ball. Glue the acorns onto the ball by the cap end; cover the entire ball. If you wish, add a piece of real or artificial mistletoe to the bottom. To hang it, make a loop with ribbon and poke the end of the ribbon into the Styrofoam ball. You can try this with walnuts, hazelnuts, or pistachios.

Don't forget to put an uplight behind your Nativity "barn" for more drama.

Make a Scandinavian Willow Star: Cut willow branches all one length, and tie in the shape of a star with raffia or ribbon, then embellish with greenery or flowers.

Fill a tall vase or bottle with water. Then add real holly and red berries. They will stay fresh throughout the holidays, and give a pretty touch.

Take down curtains in the living room or wherever your tree is, and create drapes using grapevine lights over a curtain rod. Add snowflakes, lights, crystal icicles and glass balls for more flair.

Scent is a major part of the season. If you are afraid of candles, use candle warmers or the new Glade Scented Oil candles. They burn in a large pool of scented oil.