“The Farm Chicks Christmas: Merry Ideas for the Holidays,” by Serena Thompson ($27.95, Hearst Books/Sterling)
Just like that, the holidays are here. While there are some people — such as this author and entrepreneur who’s also a Country Living magazine contributing editor — who wait just for this time of year, there are others of us in need of a yuletide adrenaline shot. And like a fresh viewing of “A Christmas Story,” this book is just what the doctor ordered. It’s impossible to be a grinch after taking in its vivid photography, tasty treat ideas, playful, vintage design (which includes a page of recipe cards and sticky notes) and overall zeal for the season.
“Living Art: Style Your Home With Flowers” by Olivier Giugni and Sylvie Bigar ($60, Atria Books)
Fresh floral arrangements can feel like a luxury to a hostess or homeowner on a tight budget. For others, the beauty and joy derived from such an expense far outweigh the extravagance. There’s something for both camps in this gorgeous coffee-table book inspired by the work of a high-end New York florist. For the budget-minded, sumptuous photography of Giugni’s arrangements will spark ideas about unusual vessels to use for flowers and ways to display seasonal foliage from the yard. And for cut-flower enthusiasts, these lush, inventive and often unexpected arrangements are pure artistic inspiration.
“10,000 Ways to Declutter Your Home on a Small Budget,” by Ed Morrow, Sheree Bykofsky and Rita Rosenkranz ($14.95, Skyhorse)
So many books about tackling clutter suggest buying things like storage ottomans or stackable cubbies so that everything has a place. But look no further than the aisles of the nearest Container Store to realize that even small storage solutions can quickly add up. Concerns over that expense can be yet another reason the overwhelmed simply avoid getting organized in the first place. That’s where this book comes in. Most of its tips are doable — like, today. The content is easy to navigate, and the playful writing makes reading it more of a pleasure than a chore.
