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Written by Be Jane's Eden Clark [2] Want to be a contributing Jane? Find out more! [2]

Alas - no sooner does Halloween end that the holiday season is upon us. Malls have begun hanging their wreaths while retailers are advertising the greatest new gifts for your friend-mom-dad-brother-boss-neighbor-boyfriend-cat-mailman. But what about you and your home?

When it comes to the holidays, the dining room is a not only a place to eat, but it's a place of gathering, of sharing, of laughing, of giving thanks - and sometimes, of debating. When you welcome others into your home for the holidays, you want your dining room to be a reflection of you.

And if you're fortunate enough - and in some cases, crazy enough - to host a holiday celebration at your home, you may be wondering "Just how many of those house projects can I squeeze in between work, exercise, the kids, shopping, cooking, and parties?!"

Whether you're facing the dilemma of outdated fixtures, bright lights, 1980's décor, or carpet stains from the last late-night party you held (and you never did figure out who dropped that red wine, did you?), you should consider the following:

Do the walls create a space that reflects your personal taste, in both color and texture?
Do you have a light fixture that fits the décor? Does it hang low enough (or is it too low?)
Is your dining room a warm and inviting place that makes family and friends want to linger?

If you've raised an eyebrow to any of the above questions, its time to get to work! We've come up with some quick, inexpensive, and relatively easy ways to spruce up your Dining Room this season.

First, what is your dining room style? Consider a few options before you set-out to go shopping (click for larger image):

Next, think what projects you'll want to do, and what you have time for. You'll want to give yourself an afternoon (or two) to complete these projects, from shopping through completion:

Install a new Light Fixture [2]
(Estimated time: 45 mins + shopping)
Install Dimmer Switches [2]
(Estimated time: 30 mins + shopping)
Get Rid of Your Paneling [2]
(Estimated time: 3-6 hours + shopping)
Paint Sheens [2]

If you're short on time or want to tackle a major renovation prior to the holidays, you may also be considering hiring a contractor. Keep in mind: one of the busiest times of year for contractors is the pre-holiday season - so you'll want to call them now. Before you call though, be sure to read our article "Contractually Speaking: Tips you Need to Know When Hiring A Contractor. [2]

Happy Holidays!