There's a reason craft stores are already stocking their shelves with holiday crafting supplies and decorations! They know wise homeowners are already hard at work getting ready for the holiday. Avoid a last minute scramble to get the house ready, and save money with these great Christmas DIY decor ideas. This December, you'll be able to sit back and relax in your house full of home-made Christmas cheer.
Cards, Cards, Everywhere
One of the nice things about the holiday season is all the cards that come in the mail. Cards...and cards, and cards, and cards, and more cards. It's hard to know where to put them all! This year, don't let them all end up crammed in a box. Have a beautiful display garland at the ready with this clever
Card Garland idea from Martha Stewart. Save old gift wrap from previous holidays and birthdays, and use it to cover wooden clothespins--then, clip them all to a length of festive ribbon, and hang it along your banister, mantel, or doorway. It's the perfect way to proudly display all your friends and family's cards! More detailed instructions are available at the link.
Christmas Candles
Turn plain white pillar candles into Christmas candles with this easy craft from
Good Housekeeping. First, slide a rubber band around the base of the candle to give you a clean line. Next, insert push pins or thumb tacks in holiday colors (red, green, gold, and silver make great choices) below the line. Then remove the rubber band. No need to spend money on expensive decorative candles--and nothing beats Christmas dinner by candlelight! Find photo and directions at the link.
Nothing Cookie Cutter About These Cooking Cutters
Clear out your kitchen drawers and give your home a dose of holiday cheer by using extra cooking cutters to make a decorative garland! If you don't have extras, a visit to your local dollar or craft store should help you find a few. Simply take the holiday cutters and knot them at even intervals along a length of ribbon. Then hang the ribbon up in your kitchen or over a doorway. Or you can even drape it around your natural or
artificial Christmas tree for some unique trimming. Who knows--maybe it will even inspire you to make a batch of holiday cookies. More details about this great idea are available from hgtv.com's list of
25 Handmade Holiday Decorations.
Keep it Together, Man!
On Christmas, even the napkins get dressed up! Give your table an extra dash of elegance with Holly Napkin Holders from Martha Stewart's site. Simply use the printable template to help you cut holly leaves out of felt, and then iron them into shape. Next, use colorful jingle bells as the "berries", and decorative elastic to string them around your napkins. It's a picture perfect way to keep your table in order! Instructions are available at the link.
Valerie Byrd Valerie loves writing about the latest events. As a photographer, she incorporates both talents and does freelance blogging. Her food photos have been known to cause readers to attempt to eat paper.
