The next six weeks are an ideal time to give your entertaining spaces an affordable makeover -- to update your home in anticipation of a joyous holiday season. A professional paint job is one of the easiest ways to freshen up your home for family and friends and, you are guaranteed to get the best price of the year from your paint contractor.

Often, if you find the right painting services, December pricing can save you 20-30% on all types of interior re-painting jobs. Late November through mid-December is a transitional time for most painting services providers, who find themselves booking only interior painting projects. As they finish up exterior painting jobs, this is a perfect time for you to take advantage of their schedule and get some much needed sprucing up done in time for the holidays.

Here are seven painting tips to get your house ready for the holidays:

1. Give the gift of professional painting services -

Have you ever considered giving a fresh paint job to a spouse or loved one for the Holidays? Most paint contractors can give you a quote secretly; you can sign the painting agreement and then either have the area painted before or after the holiday. A fun and unique gift -- and you don't have to spend your winter weekends painting rooms!

2. Get your interior painting done on rainy days and save money -

For residential painting contractors who are busy finishing exteriors, they have open spaces to fill on rainy days. If you can be flexible and allow your contractor to work with you on bad-weather days, you'll probably see an even greater discount. There are often HALF OFF deals available when customers are flexible.

3. Don't rush your color selection / Ask your painting services provider for help -

Allow at least a week for the color selection process. Good paint contractors can help you select colors and will allow FREE color try-ons to make your decision easier. Remember, once the color is selected it will be there for a long time, so enjoy your color selection process.

4. Never give a residential painting contractor a deposit: especially around the holidays!

Save your money for presents and be wary if any contractor asks for any type of deposit. Good paint contractors will only request payment when the job is completed to your satisfaction. The last thing you need is to be out of cash with an incomplete painting project.

5. Lock down a completion date for your house painting -

On that note, be sure the contract states a completion date for all work to be done, including clean-up. Holidays are busy enough; you don't want any last minute painting touch ups.

6. Make sure your painting services provider moves and covers your furniture -

Good contractors will help you move and reset furniture. Although most should have a disclaimer on their contract, removing them from that damage liability, they can be extremely helpful during the supervised heavy-lifting needed to prepare a room for painting.

7. Interior painting can be more than just walls -

Have cabinets and trim painted for a fresh, glossy finish. A fresh, white paint on ceilings will make rooms feel brighter and larger. New colors on walls will be so inviting to your holiday guests and family. Enjoy life, get some COLOR!

A fresh, professional paint job gives your holiday rooms greater depth and a vibrant glow. The most relatively inexpensive by comparison to other home projects, a professional paint job leaves you with plenty of money left over for presents under the tree. Give your family and friends -- and yourself -- the gift of a beautiful holiday environment.