Sacramento-based interior designer Shiree Segerstrom had to get a big jump on her holiday decorating. Today, she's expecting hundreds of guests.

Her own Spanish-style home will be part of the 45th annual holiday home tour, hosted by the American Association of University Women's Sonora branch.

Segerstrom decorated two out of the three Sonora homes featured on this year's tour, which also includes the historic sanctuary of Columbia's Church of the 49ers.

"Working around the wonderful architectural elements of these two homes was a pleasure," Segerstrom said. "I've always had a fondness for the romanticism of Spanish Revival architecture and its place in this beautiful part of the world."

Holiday makeovers can seem overwhelming, Segerstrom admitted.

"Christmas is stressful enough as it is," she said. "Don't try to completely redecorate your home; rather, leave your everyday accessories in place. Using what is already there and adding little spots of decorative touches makes both set-up and clean-up quick and easy."

Segerstrom uses an abundance of natural materials in her holiday decorating.

"I love to decorate with native California manzanita at Christmastime," she said. "The low-lying evergreen shrub makes lovely, large- scale arrangements in big baskets or tall, sturdy vases. A couple branches make a big statement. Plus the trunks are red and the leaves are a beautiful sage green. How perfect is that!"

More natural touches for the holidays: simple olive branch wreaths, hung in the bathroom and guest room, and big bowls and baskets of pine cones in the den and living room.

Segerstrom also scatters lots of fresh (or faux) red pears and pomegranates as decorative fillers around the house.

"Just adding these to your everyday décor creates instant holiday warmth without making the house feel overdone," she said.

Here are some more tips:

• Bring out the silver and china. Placed on trays around the house, it creates a festive atmosphere. "In the dining room, I love to display my holiday wine and champagne choices for an extra festive flair," Segerstrom added.

• Keep collections on hand. "My favorites are beautiful miniature Swiss Christmas trees that look like bottlebrush and miniature Santas," she said. "It is so simple to add them to your existing tableaux, rather than removing all accessories and starting from scratch."

• For a tree skirt, use a blanket or throw in red, green or winter white.

• Hanging boughs and garlands takes time. Be selective; choose two or three spots to keep set-up and clean-up easier. "Instead of doing garlands across the entire stairwell, try just a beautiful swag or wreath on the newel at the foot of the stairs," she suggested.

• Buy a few rolls of bright red grosgrain ribbon and tie bows on unexpected spots around the house. For example, Segerstrom tied bows on topiary stems.

"Instant festivity!" she said. "I loved mine so much one year, I've left them there for good."

More pet tips

Although leather furniture may be great for dogs, cats have other ideas.

"I've had cats – five to 12 – for years," wrote reader Sandra Duncan. "The first thing a cat will do is kneading on leather. You should have put for dogs only."

Reader "Cindy" doesn't leave home without a roll of thin, clear shipping tape. "It's the perfect way to get hair off in a hurry – less than a minute," she said in her phone message. "It's far better than any lint roller. You can throw a roll in your luggage and take it anywhere."

45th Annual American Association of University Women Sonora Home Tour

When: Noon-4 p.m. today

Where: Start at First Presbyterian "Church of the 49ers," Parrotts Ferry Road and Jackson Street, Columbia

Tickets: $20, available at Mountain Bookshop (Tuolumne Junction Shopping Center, 13769 Mono Way, Sonora) and Columbia Candle & Soap Works (22791 Broadway, Columbia)

Details: www.aauwsonora.org/events/home-tour

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 321-1075.

• Read more articles by Debbie Arrington