Twelve days of Christmas....Well, as I write this, there are really only 10 days left until Christmas however, it's never too late to get a few extra ideas for trimming your Christmas tree. The following thematic Christmas tree decorating ideas were extracted from the Art Institute's interior design program. Happy Holiday's!

The Candy Tree - A small-scale candy tree could be placed on a dining room table or kitchen as a sweet way to enhance the holiday mood. Hand strung wrapped hard candies to make a great garland. Foil wrapped chocolate Santa's and holiday figures serve as great edible ornaments. Suspend candy canes of all colors and sizes to complete the theme. A quick trip to the local candy store will inspire many ideas for ornaments.

The Color Tree - You can easily unify all of your holiday decor with the of use strong color combinations throughout your tree. Platinum and pearl, gold and taupe, and country pastels can create holiday elegance in a more unique way than the traditionally over-used red and green.

The Conceptual Tree - For a striking tree design, choose one conceptual theme. For example, a collection of pear ornaments and a partridge placed on a small tree will reflect the traditional carol. A music lover could create a tree with miniature instruments, rolled sheet music tied with bows and musical notes shaped from fanciful pipe cleaners.

A Party Tree - Throw a trim-a-tree party, where guests can exchange unique or handcrafted ornaments with each other. As the host, you can enchant your guests by carefully placing personally monogrammed ornaments into your tree as a parting gift.

The Natural Tree - Try a natural tree this year. Adorn with ornaments found in nature such as seashells, pinecones, seedpods, fruits, dried flowers and herbs to create a tree that is truly "green." For an exterior tree, use birdseed, dried corncobs, popcorn strands and suet balls to attract wildlife to your yard.

The Family Tree - A family tree could be hung with family photographs, homemade children's keepsakes or craft projects, heirloom ornaments and other treasured items that evoke memories of holidays past. Use black and white copies of your favorite photos and hang with clothespins. Treasured holiday cards could complete this theme.

The Antique Tree - Scour thrift shops, tag sales and antique stores for old-fashioned Christmas ornaments. Add Christmas postcards, which can be found in antique shops for approximately $1 and hang with lace or vintage ribbon. Reproduction ornaments can round out the theme at little cost to create a true tree of the past.

The Winter Tree - Using white lights, several dozen clear icicles and heavy handfuls of artificial snow can create a quick and simple winter theme tree. Add white-wrapped presents at the base of your tree to complete the effect. This classic winter tree will enhance all interiors and set the mood for a winter wonderland.

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Cecil Hayes has built her firm 'Cecil's Designers Unlimited' with honesty, integrity, and a stellar portfolio. As an Art Institute graduate Cecil has attracted the likes of celebrities such as actor-director Wesley Snipes, actor Samuel L. Jackson, NFL defensive back Ty Law, NBA players P.J. Brown and Jamaal Mashburn and music mogul Tim "Timbaland" Mosley. Most recently Cecil Hayes has published her new book on interior design, 9 Steps to Beautiful Living: Dream, Design, Decorate Your Home with Style.

The impetus for writing the book came in 2000, when Ebony magazine called to offer her a column on interior design."Once the editor said I needed to write a book because what was in there [the column] helped people, that was it!'' Hayes' book explains the steps or ''game plan'' she uses as a professional to achieve a cohesive interior. 'It's not a 'how to' book, it's a why to book. A how-to is like your parents telling you to do this or that; once you understand the why of something, it becomes a part of your own intellect. It's a tremendous difference. What I do in every chapter is give a why."

Besides being published extensively in Florida publications, her work has also been featured in Architectural Digest magazine's Top 100.

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