Christmas Decorating with Beads

If you enjoy beading and the holidays, consider combining the two when decorating. Here are some ideas for creating beautiful Christmas decorations with beads.

Bead String Garlands
Strings of inexpensive beads are available online and locally at sites selling Christmas decorations and craft materials. Draping a tree with glistening strings of red, blue, gold, or silver beads creates a beautiful effect. Try winding two strings of different colors together for a special look. You can decorate the tree in both of the same two colors as the beads. For instance, use silver and red, blue and gold, blue and silver, etc. Make a matching Christmas tree top star by wrapping a simple star-shaped wire form with beads.

You can also string the beads yourself, from a hand chosen collection. The end result will be a one-of-a-kind garland unlike any available commercially. Add some color coordinated bead garland strings draped across a fireplace mantle, up a staircase railing, or scalloped at wallpaper border height near the ceiling, for a festive look.

Beaded Ornaments
Christmas ornaments covered with sparkling glass beads add a magical touch to any tree. Styrofoam balls may be covered with beads by gluing or straight pinning. Create ornament designs by using simple Christmas motifs, solid colors, or stripes. You can create more variety in your beaded ornaments by covering bases shaped as stars, bells, candy canes, etc., as well as balls. These may be made of Styrofoam, cardboard, thin wood, or other lightweight materials. Make your own Christmas ornament forms to cover with beads for unlimited options. Another idea is to create a centerpiece. Fill a large glass bowl with beaded ornaments for a sparkly focal point. Surround with greenery or holiday silk flowers for a finishing touch.

Beaded Christmas Stockings
One of my most treasured holiday decorations is a bead-embellished Christmas stocking received as a gift when I was a small child. Made of felt, with my name appliquéd at the top, the red stocking is decorated with beads and large sequins. You can add pizzazz to pre-made Christmas stockings by embellishing them with a few beads, or choose to create a beautiful beaded heirloom stocking from scratch. Ideas include beading borders, lettering, or holiday motifs on the stocking. Consider making coordinated decorations to add interest to your themes. A fabric Christmas tree skirt, beaded and embellished would be festive and attractive. So would a colorful coordinated table runner, tablecloth, or set of placemats.