It’s official; Thanksgiving is over and now we all look forward to Christmas (mostly).  It’s all about the decorating, the eating, the presents and most of all, about friends and family.  As I web surf (way too much!), here a few ideas to help get your holidays off to a great start.  We’ll have plenty more ideas coming up in the next couple weeks, but as you begin opening those boxes of ornaments and decorations, this might help you put things together in a new way.

My goal this year is low stress, high enjoyment.  Consequently the ideas I’m sharing fit that bill and I’m sure you’ll find helpful ideas here so you can have a beautifully decorated home without as much muss and fuss.

Personalize Your Gift Wraps

If you have a few gifts to mail, you’ll be wrapping them early and here are few great ideas to get you started.

Martha Stewart has this easy package decor (you knew she’d have something cute) including template.

Here’s a novel way to recycle burned out bulbs and have a creative package at the same time.

Simple, elegant, creative.  You’ll have the prettiest packages under the tree. 

Put your gift wrapping to good use and turn a little stack into an advent “calendar” or maybe use to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas.  Put a thoughtful “love note” in each box along with a chocolate kiss or home baked treat. 

Decorate Stairs for the Holidays 

Stair banisters are a great place to decorate for Christmas and the tried and true, easy solution is to drape garlands.  Here’s an alternative that I think I might try this year.  Our new house has banisters (I haven’t had a house with stairs in years) and I like this cluster idea from BHG (you know that’s Better Homes & Garden, right?). 

Now that I have banisters to decorate I find I’m much more aware of the ideas – if you don’t have stairs, bear with me as I explore some options.  Maybe you’ll see something you can adapt for another area in your home.

It appears wire is used to attach these little wreaths and ribbon to the banister.  I recommend using pipe cleaners or ribbon so you don’t damage the banister.  The video below shares some additional ideas. 

This YouTube video gives some helpful tips on how to hang and decorate garland for a stairway.

Table Decor and Centerpieces

Vern Yip of HGTV fame shares this super simple holiday centerpiece idea (and wouldn’t it work for any occasion, not just Christmas?).  He uses a collection of same sized clear glass containers (check the dollar store or use mason jars or whatever you have on hand), filled with cranberries and water then just one or two blooms per vase.  Cut the blooms quite short (they’ll last longer) so they rest just on the lip of the vase.  Stunning, simple and easy – my favorite. 

What I like about this centerpiece idea is the use of peppermint sticks lining the inside of the candle holders.  It ads a touch of whimsy to the more formal look of mercury glass and restrained red and white scheme. 

A simple centerpiece or vase to integrate with a mantel display is to put a jar or vase inside a vase so the flowers are in water, then fill the space between the two vessels with decor of your choice, in this case nuts. 

Other Cool Decorations

A little something unique for your entry table or maybe spell out a personalized greeting for the Christmas morning breakfast table.

For those of us with mantels to decorate, Crate and Barrel shows this pretty, sparkly version.  You can create something similar by restricting your elements to silver, white and clear glass, adding lots of candelight and using a couple of cool big hurricanes or apothecary jars.  You probably already own many of the things needed to replicate a mantel like this.

Rich with candlelight, this mantel decor is warm, inviting, comforting and SO easy.  Emphasized with just a couple of branches for interest, the simplicity is gorgeous.  While garlands can be quite elaborate, sometimes plain and simple is enough and this one of mixed greens is lovely.

A computer & printer, scissors, glue, ribbon and patience to make this striking garland – where can you think of using something this unusual? 

Sometimes less is more and this simple display in a kitchen just has a branchof greens resting on the curtain rod and a couple dramatic ornaments.  The two little topiaries are a fun addition and could easily stay through the winter.

Another example of simple decor – a few berry sprigs and large ornaments are all you need to make your dining room ready for the holidays.

Even the bedroom can have little touches of Christmas! 

More to Come

Next week I’ll offer even more decorating ideas for you including wreaths, more table decor, tree ideas etc.  I love all the ideas floating around out there for the holidays.  Even if you’re not a crafty person, there are plenty of ideas to adapt using items you have – just keep an open mind, a discerning eye and a desire for fun throughout the holidays.