DIY decorating

* Make sure to keep this year's decorative elements because they can be used in the future. * Choose a theme that matches with the interior design and decide on it at least a week before the event to allow enough time to prepare. * Make a shopping list and things to do each day ahead of the big day. * When used properly, flowers and other decorative plants from our own gardens can be used to embellish the interior. Heliconia is one of the popular alternatives. * As substitutes for expensive flowers like roses or lilies, there is a wide variety of cheaper flowers to choose from. Limit the types of the flower but use them in every room to bring out the theme. * Branches, leaves, ribbons, candles or old traditional toys or cloths can be displayed as inexpensive yet interesting accents. * Flower arrangements need daily watering and removal of dead leaves or wilted petals. With proper care, an arrangement can last for four to five days when kept in an air conditioned room. * It helps to track the latest in the fashion world, what colors and fabrics are in and, if possible, use them for the home or table setting. * Try to keep the home decoration and table setting designs as simple as possible to avoid confusion.