Floral designer and decorating expert Lynn Jawitz sympathizes with time-stressed hosts during the holidays.

"I know what it's like; I've been there," she said in a phone interview from her restored Victorian townhouse in Manhattan. "I work around the holidays. When I've had to just throw (decorations) down, I felt cheated."

So, she came up with a game plan. She could transform her home into total holiday mode in under three hours with a very limited budget.

"These are things I do on my own," she said. "Think about what's important, your priorities. You want your home to feel special. This is something you can do for yourself and your family. And it doesn't have to take a lot of time or money."

A law school graduate and former stockbroker, Jawitz "retired" at 45 to rear her two sons. She decided to study flower arranging and started a new career six years ago. Since then, her business, Florisan, has earned an international reputation for its elaborate floral displays.

But Jawitz herself is much more low key and frugal.

"I'm always on the lookout for bargains, like a great turkey tablecloth or printed napkins or special dishes," she said. "I shop with the holidays in mind all year round. I find great deals by buying off-season. You don't need much storage space, either. A shelf or two in a closet is enough; then you're always ready to go."

Her key to holiday decorating in a hurry is organization – plus lots of ribbon. Jawitz likes to tie holidays up in bows.

"Not just Christmas, but any holiday," said Jawitz, who keeps a large stash of ribbons and bows in a rainbow of colors for year-round decorating.

Bows can be tied on doorknobs and bannisters. Ribbon can twist around table decorations, over the fireplace and around the windows.

"Ribbon makes the house look festive," she said. "Every season has its color. There's a multitude of things you can do with just a little creativity. You can do a lot with four rolls."

Jawitz puts bows on seasonal houseplants such as poinsettias and amaryllis, and around vases of flowers and holiday greenery. She ties bows up and down staircases. She wraps napkins with more ribbon for holiday dinners.

A constant bargain hunter, Jawitz believes in making the most of what's available. For example, she trims the bottom branches off her fresh Christmas tree and uses them to make a simple front-door wreath: Tie two or three branches together at the cut end with a large rubber band. Cover the band with some ribbon and a large bow. Hang. That's it.

Leftover branches grace the mantel or go in vases with sprigs of holly and berries.

"You can also make a great potpourri out of pine needles," she said. "Add a little essential oil (available at craft stores) and it will last all season."

In her hurried holiday game plan, she suggests three stops: The big box store, the florist shop or nursery and the candy store.

At the first, pick up candles, paper plates, napkins and ribbon plus some other little touches such as holiday hand towels for the bathroom and kitchen or candy canes. Next, get fresh holiday plants, flowers and a small wreath. Last stop is for Santas (the foil-wrapped chocolate variety).

Jawitz uses the wreath for a centerpiece on the dining table. She places a large votive candle set within a hurricane glass inside the wreath, then surrounds the wreath with chocolate Santas.

"I love to set the table," she said. "It was always my thing. It's my little gift to my family. Guests may not remember the dinner, but they do remember the table.

"It's all about making memories," she added. "It's scrapbooking without the paper."

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