7 Ways to Stage Your Home for Sale This Holiday Season

The less-is-more mantra of home staging may tempt you to forgo holiday cheer this year. But a few subtle touches like a pinecone centerpiece, an evergreen wreath or a pot of cider simmering on the stove can create a warm and festive feeling in your home. Avoid overtly religious flourishes, which may be off-putting to some buyers.

Before you start untangling your tinsel, make sure your holiday collection matches your current decor. If your living room has a clean, all-white color scheme, skip the clashing red garland and opt for a white tree, white candles and silver glass ornaments. If you've got an earthy color scheme, accent with rich tones like cranberries, forest greens and gold.

Too many trimmings may distract buyers, but the right accessories can draw attention to your home's best features. Try hanging a few tasteful ornaments from your mantel to highlight an elegant fireplace, or dangling mistletoe in an arched doorway.

Leave the giant inflatable snowman in storage this year. One man's "merry" is another man's "tacky," so tone down any garish light displays while your home is on the market. (No, your neighbors didn't pay us to say that.) Instead, use simple string lighting to play up your home's architecture or draw attention to the gorgeous fir tree in your front yard.

A tall Christmas tree can help you show off your two-story great room, but make sure the wide base won't overwhelm the floor space. If your living area is on the small side, save space with a skinny tree. Swap the gaudy heirloom ornaments and trim your tree in a cohesive theme such as all red and gold ornaments, or icicle lights and silver tinsel.

Chilly weather presents the perfect opportunity to create an inviting environment for potential homebuyers. Buyers will be grateful for a place to escape from the cold, so before showings, turn the thermostat up a couple of degrees to make it extra toasty, or light a fire in the fireplace for an extra homey touch. Just remember, when you encourage buyers to spend more time in your home, you also give them more time to admire its best features.