Decorating tips from a pro

As the head of merchandising for Bachman's and a regular guest on KSTP-TV, Larry Pfarr knows a thing or two about visual display. Here are his tips for getting the most out of your holiday decorations.

• Go faux

"I work almost exclusively with artificial trees and greens," said Pfarr. "I have horrible allergies. Besides, it's easier to work with. And by the time I'm done, you can't tell anyway."

• Build a collection

Choose a few colors or a theme (only glass ornaments, animal shapes, toys, etc.) and collect ornaments over the years.

• Don't be tempted by trends

Christmas ornaments, like almost everything else, are subject to trendy colors. Instead of investing in plum or chartreuse, stick with classic ornaments that you like.

In the days and weeks after Christmas, many retailers offer deep discounts on decorations. "I'm a big after-Christmas sale shopper," said Pfarr.

• Pack it away right

When he takes down his decorations, Pfarr stores them in individual, carefully labeled bins ("mantel," "tree," "dining room"). "If you spend enough time when you're putting things away, it'll be easier to decorate next year," he said.

• Have some fun

"Add some whimsy. Make it personal. And don't be afraid to try new things," he said. "Don't feel obligated to do anything you don't want to do and don't get hung up on tradition. If you don't want to do a tree, don't. You can display ornaments in a bowl or hang ornaments from a garland."