Ideas for Handmade Holiday Decorations

I really love and enjoy the holidays. It's a great time to have a party or two and I especially like to decorate my house at Christmas time.

Here are a few ideas for you to try.

Gild the Lily, er Holiday Items

Silver or gold make gorgeous holiday decorations. Get some gold or silver (or both) paint and gather up some things to paint and use in your decorations. Collect pine cones, dried branches, flowerpots, picture frames, etc. Spread paper on the surface you're going to paint on, spread everything out & spray away. Let dry for about an hour or so. How heavily you spray the items determines whether you cover the entire item or just lightly gild the item very lightly. I usually prefer the lighter you but you can do both for an effective look. Mixing both gold and silver objects together look very attractive. Then use these items as part of your holiday decorations.

Paint Candles

Take tapers or pillar candles and paint stripes on them. After painting the tapers place them in candle holders while they dry. If you a good painter, you might paint holiday figures on the candles - holly leaf & berries, mini Santa Claus face, mini Snowman, bells, candy canes, etc.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…

Actually, on the table. Place circular or square mirrors under a pillar candle for a bit of a glitzy look. You might place simple decorations or a candle ring around the candle. (Tip: fresh flowers look pretty around a candle.)

Pillows

Add seasonal colored pillows (or prints, plaids, etc.) to your sofas and chairs, atop your beds, etc. I have two red velveteen pillows that go on top of my large pillows on my king bed. In the living room I replace the throw pillows with two Christmas themed pillows. If you have plain colored pillows, take a wide ribbon in red or green (or ??) and wrap them with a fancy bow on top. You can wrap each one individually or two or three together, creating a "gift." (Tip: Use wire ribbon for a bow that won't get crushed.)

Throws

If you have any seasonal blankets, this is the time to toss (creatively arrange!) them on your sofa, armchair or your beds. I have one tossed over the rocking chair in the family room and another one thrown over the end of my bed.

Let There be Light

Put little white Christmas lights into different size jars and place around your kitchen or bathrooms. Tie a pretty ribbon around the top of the jar. Leave enough cord to plug into your electrical outlets. (Tip: You can also put potpourri in with them and get a wonderful scent when they're plugged in.)