— If you’re feeling agitated during the holidays, try rethinking your decorating scheme. All the holiday “fire” — bright lights, red decorations, fireplaces — can be too much for some people. If that’s the case, McWilliams recommends bringing a “water” element into your decoration. Think blue lights, a mirror over the fireplace, cut glass arrangements, glassy or reflective balls on the tree.

— Adding natural elements to your decorating can also be calming. Besides a live tree, McWilliams suggests pine cones, holly, fresh fruit bowls and arrangements, strung popcorn and cranberries, paper loop links or origami.

— If the holidays cause you to reflect on painful times in your past, buying some new decorations can help you start looking forward.

-statesman.com