Christmas Decoration

December 4, 2017

Christmas is a time of year we all wait for so we can gather with family and friends. It’s a time where we decorate our homes, front lawns, bannisters, tables and shelves with ornaments , greeneries, trees and candles to make our house cozy, comfortable, colourfull and above all christmasy.

Here are some tips we can all use to give our homes the look of Christmas.

Wrap books with leftover wrapping paper for pretty spines, or swap in wintry prints and festive figurines.What you'll need: nesting houses ($17 for 3, target.com), Swedish horses, $45 for 3, worldmarket.com), wrapping paper set ($20 for 6, amazon.com), print ($31 and up, minted.com)

Reorganize the Bookshelf

Wrap books with leftover wrapping paper for pretty spines, or swap in wintry prints and festive figurines.

$70 BUY NOW Split logs look even homier when they're stored in, well, a house. You'll be waiting for the temperature to drop just so you can build a roaring fire. 

Log storing

Split logs look even homier when they’re stored in the house. You’ll be waiting for the temperature to drop just so you can build a roaring fire

Swap in folded tea towels for placemats and napkins. They work just as well — and they're often cheaper! Colorful tumblers can step in for vases too. What you'll need: tea towels ($16 for 4, williams-sonoma.com), bowl ($63, macys.com), striped towels ($10 for 2, target.com)

Set a Casual Table

Swap in folded tea towels for placemats and napkins. They work just as well — and they’re often cheaper! Colorful tumblers can step in for vases too.

Use a washable-paint marker to add fluttery flakes to a mirror. Festive stockings — attached to a faux garland — and a tassel basket hold plenty of goodies. What you'll need: paint pen ($9, amazon.com), pine garland ($20, target.com), stockings ($13 each, target.com), basket ($98, crateandbarrel.com)

Draw on Snowflakes

Use a washable-paint marker to add fluttery flakes to a mirror. Festive stockings — attached to a faux garland — and a tassel basket hold plenty of goodies.

Bigger isn't always better. A tiny tree brings plenty of cheer, and it's easier for kids to decorate. Just maybe put the more fragile ornaments somewhere else ... What you'll need: wooden ornaments ($16, amazon.com), brass candlesticks ($74 for 2, food52.com)

Choose a Charlie Brown Tree

Bigger isn’t always better. A tiny tree brings plenty of cheer, and it’s easier for kids to decorate. Just maybe put the more fragile ornaments somewhere else ..

Line a banister with a fresh pine garland and crimson bows. Better yet, stir up some paint in a dramatic hue for a merry makeover you'll love even after the holidays. What you'll need: ribbon ($23, amazon.com)

Let Ribbons Hang

Line a banister with a fresh pine garland and crimson bows. Better yet, stir up some paint in a dramatic hue for a merry makeover you’ll love even after the holidays.

Spread cheer throughout the house by placing pine boughs in vases. They'll smell so fresh too! What you'll need: vase ($25 and up, worldmarket.com)

Spruce It Up

Spread cheer throughout the house by placing pine boughs in vases. They’ll smell so fresh too

Fancy up your view with a unique wreath made from an embroidery hoop or a garland of lush greenery. What you'll need: embroidery hoop ($9, amazon.com), glue gun ($11, amazon.com)

Adorn the Windows

Fancy up your view with a unique wreath made from an embroidery hoop or a garland of lush greenery.

$11 BUY NOW A non-working fireplace doesn't seem so bad when you can fill it with these fairy-like terrariums. 

Led fairy like terrariums

A non-working fireplace doesn’t seem so bad when you can fill it with these fairy-like terrariums.

Too many gifts under the tree — or no tree at all? Use a bookshelf! To unify the look, wrap with kraft paper and add black, white and silver accents. What you'll need: kraft paper ($18, amazon.com), striped ribbon ($14, amazon.com)

Deck the Walls

Too many gifts under the tree or no tree at all? Use a bookshelf! To unify the look, wrap with Kraft paper and add black, white and silver accents.

$75 BUY NOW The prettiest wreaths aren't always on the front door. With real dried moss and bright red tapers, this traditional decoration doubles as a gorgeous centerpiece. 

Wreath center piece

The prettiest wreaths aren’t always on the front door. With real dried moss and bright red tapers, this traditional decoration doubles as a gorgeous centerpiece.

$36 BUY NOW When the season calls for snuggling up the couch and watching Christmas movies, you don't want to skimp on the throw pillows. 

Dress Up the Couch

When the season calls for snuggling up the couch and watching Christmas movies, you don’t want to skimp on the throw pillows.

$17 for four BUY NOW Your holiday breakfast needs this adorable set of matching reindeer plates. Rudolph would approve. 

Set a Festive Table

Your holiday breakfast needs this adorable set of matching reindeer plates or something similar

Amaryllis blooms may be tried-and-true, but you can mix it up with delicate paperwhites. Create your own white Christmas by wrapping the containers in birch bark and scattering snow-spritzed pinecones. Get the tutorial » What you'll need: paperwhite bulbs ($24, amazon.com), birch bark ($25, amazon.com)

Pot Flowering Bulbs

Amaryllis blooms may be tried-and-true, but you can mix it up with delicate paper whites. Create your own white Christmas by wrapping the containers in birch bark and scattering snow-spritzed pinecones

$59 BUY NOW A little trio of topiaries can brighten your tabletop without veering towards kitsch. 

Put Out Lots of Mini Trees

A little trio of topiaries can brighten your tabletop without veering towards kitsch

Grab a Sharpie, draw simple patterns on paper cups (kids can decorate them, too!), fill with moss and nestle a taper inside each. The result? Lovely caroler-style holders that add a glow to your day. What you'll need: permanent markers ($6, amazon.com), candles ($17, amazon.com)

Make Up the Mantel

Grab a Sharpie, draw simple patterns on paper cups (kids can decorate them, too!), fill with moss and nestle a taper inside each. The result is a mixture of patterns that add a glow to your day harmoniously.

$90 BUY NOW Getting out of bed on winter mornings just got even harder thanks to this cozy quilt. Don't forget the matching shams!

Remake the Bed

Getting out of bed on winter mornings just got even harder thanks to this cozy quilt.

$46 BUY NOW Hot chocolate, mulled cider, spiked eggnog ... Seasonal drinks call for a seasonal (and personalized!) set of mugs.

Serve Santa Cocoa

Hot chocolate, mulled cider, spiked eggnog … Seasonal drinks call for a seasonal (and personalized!) set of mugs

No room for a tree? Decorate an entryway or a tiny apartment with fir, spruce or pine branches in an oversize jar. What you'll need: ornaments ($9, amazon.com), vase ($32, amazon.com)

Spruce Up Boughs

No room for a tree? Decorate an entryway or a tiny apartment with fir, spruce or pine branches in an oversize jar

Shiny ball ornaments don't just look good on trees — they actually make for a lovely holiday centerpiece, tucked neatly into a bowl full of greens. See more at French Country Cottage » What you'll need: silver ornaments ($9, amazon.com), bowl ($20, amazon.com)

Repurpose Ornaments

Shiny ball ornaments don’t just look good on trees — they actually make for a lovely holiday centerpiece, tucked neatly into a bowl full of greens.

Using different shapes and sizes, add Christmas ornaments to your banister's garland. See more at On Sutton Place » What you'll need: garland ($20, amazon.com), ornaments ($9, amazon.com)

Dangle Ornaments

Using different shapes and sizes, add Christmas ornaments to your banister’s garland.

Raid the recycling bin for a new set of festive candlesticks. Just replace the labels with silvery wrapping paper and luxe ribbon before adding tapers. What you'll need: candles ($16, amazon.com), silver paper ($12, amazon.com)

Repurpose Wine Bottles

Raid the recycling bin for a new set of festive candlesticks. Just replace the labels with silvery wrapping paper and lux ribbon before adding tapers

Nix the traditional candy dish and dress up a plain tray with peppermint puffs. Light a few candles and your centerpiece is complete. What you'll need: peppermint puffs ($5, amazon.com), votives ($13, amazon.com)

Restyle the Coffee Table

Nix the traditional candy dish and dress up a plain tray with peppermint puffs. Light a few candles and your centerpiece is complete

There's a secret to faking an icy frost. Roll faux fruit in a mixture of three parts white glitter to one part silver for a wintry coating. What you'll need: white glitter ($9, amazon.com), silver glitter ($8, amazon.com)

Add More Glitter

There’s a secret to faking an icy frost. Roll faux fruit in a mixture of three parts white glitter to one part silver for a wintry coating

Plunked in galvanized pails, spruce seedlings keep the greenery coming. Add some sparkle by securing ornaments to a bead garland with floral wire. What you'll need: galvanized buckets ($20 for 12, amazon.com), green ornaments ($17, amazon.com)

Plant a Row of Trees

Plunked in galvanized pails, spruce seedlings keep the greenery coming. Add some sparkle by securing ornaments to a bead garland with floral wire

Keep candy canes out of kids' reach but on display by hanging them from a bough-decked window. Hook the peppermints on loops of polka-dot ribbon for added charm. What you'll need: candy canes ($10, amazon.com), garland ($20, amazon.com)

Dangle Treats

Keep candy canes out of kids’ reach but on display by hanging them from a bough-decked window. Hook the peppermints on loops of polka-dot ribbon for added charm.

Tie a wide piece of ribbon in a knot at the top and leave the ends long for a fresh take on the big red bow. Deck out your windowsill like a mantel. What you'll need: gingham ribbon ($15, amazon.com), garland ($20, amazon.com)

Hang an Indoor Wreath

Tie a wide piece of ribbon in a knot at the top and leave the ends long for a fresh take on the big red bow. Deck out your window sill like a mantel

Heaped with walnuts, cranberries and kumquats, a cylinder vase displays festive flavors. Place a tall pillar candle and holder inside the vase; surround with fruits and nuts. What you'll need: glass vase ($9, amazon.com), walnuts ($17, amazon.com)

Go Nuts

Heaped with walnuts, cranberries and kumquats, a cylinder vase displays festive flavors. Place a tall pillar candle and holder inside the vase; surround with fruits and nuts

Mix faux garland with real greenery, weaving in pine cones and a matching thick ribbon. This blogger kept hers secure with zip ties. See more at Atta Girl Says » What you'll need: pinecones ($17, amazon.com), magnolia garland ($40, amazon.com)

Celebrate Nature

Mix faux garland with real greenery, weaving in pine cones and a matching thick ribbon. This blogger kept hers secure with zip ties.

A miniature display of Santa Claus and his reindeer looks especially fun on some fake snow. See more at Savvy Southern Style » What you'll need: vintage figurine (ebay.com), fake snow ($9, amazon.com)

Create a Display

A miniature display of Santa Claus and his reindeer looks especially fun on some fake snow.

Handy with a crochet needle? Stitch up snowflake coasters for party guests' drinks. See more at Katrinshine » What you'll need: crochet thread ($7, amazon.com), red felt ($11, amazon.com)

Coast with Snowflakes

Stitch up snowflake coasters for party guests’ drinks or purchase from a variety of patterns

A baby version of your large Christmas tree is the perfect size for a table — instead of a star, try a bow. See more at Domestically Speaking » What you'll need: mini tree ($9, amazon.com), plaid ribbon ($12, amazon.com)

Get a Little Tree

A baby version of your large Christmas tree is the perfect size for a table — instead of a star, try a bow.

Posted in Tips and Tricks

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