COME the holiday season, time is of the essence. In addition to everyday responsibilities, the winter months are filled with additional obligations, from making the holiday party rounds to shopping for gifts. While some holiday commitments can be time-consuming, bringing the season's spirit indoors doesn't need to be a lengthy or complicated process.

As host and executive producer of the award-winning It's Your Call, CN8's Lynn Doyle knows how difficult it can be to meet all the demands of the holiday season while leading a busy life. Doyle oversees the direction and content of the talk show, which she hosts live weeknights from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on CN8, The Comcast Network. In addition to her on-air responsibilities, Doyle maintains a full calendar of charitable activities and personal appearances that leave little spare time for the holiday season.

Still, one of Doyle's favourite family traditions is celebrating the holidays in style. To help get your home in the spirit, Doyle offers the following 10 suggestions for easy and elegant holiday decorating.

1. Themed tree>. "Whether they be large, ceiling-to-floor trees, or small, table-top versions, themed trees are a unique way to showcase your personal interests," says Doyle. Is your family filled with sports-lovers? Decorate a tree completely with sports related ornaments showcasing your family's love for your hometown team. Use give-aways, memorabilia and trading cards as decorations.

2. Household items as ornamentsB>"You'd be surprised what you might be able to use from around the house to create a tree that depicts your tastes or hobbies," offers Doyle. For example, if you like to bake, a small whisk, cookie cutters, wooden spoons and wine stoppers are instant ornaments. Parents can also laminate small photos of their children from infancy to the present, and hang them with hooks on the tree. When the holidays are over, simply return your items to their natural habitat until next year.

3. Holiday scentIf you don't have much time to decorate top to bottom, a few well-placed candles with an evergreen or sugar cookie scent can fill the home with the smells of the season.

4. Group decorati. Save time decorating the entire house by grouping collections rather than spreading them through the house. "For example, put four or five snowmen together and voila, a collection is born," says Doyle.

5. Showcase favourite phs. Display a few favourite photos in inexpensive holiday frames. At the end of the season, put them away until next year.

6. Perfect pils. Place a few whimsical pillows on the sofa, chair, or bed and instantly brighten up a room with the holiday spirit.

7. Unique accesses. Add holiday-themed toilet paper to your bathrooms and keep guests in a festive mood in every room of the house.

8. Festiveower. Purchase real or silk poinsettias and place on a hearth, in a window or near a door for an instant holiday feeling. "Just use caution," warns Doyle. "As a mother, I know real poinsettias can be poisonous if consumed by children or pets, so keep them out of reach."

9. Stock up ofeason. Avoid busy holiday lines and parking lots by taking advantage of preseason or after-Christmas sales to stock up on holiday decor for next year.

10. Sete mood. Holiday songs always bring a festive mood to the environment, so play your favourite CDs or Sounds ofe Season on Comcast Digital Cable.

For more tips on making it through the season, look for special holiday-themed episodes of "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle," airing in December. Tune in to "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle" weeknights from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on CN8, The Comcast Network. CN8 is the nation's pre-eminent regional 24-hour cable network, producing live, original and interactive programming covering the worlds of sports, politics, personal finance, entertainment, and more. Viewers can get more information or watch the show on CN8's Web site at www.cn8.tv.