Your Decorating Hotline

This time of year the web abounds with hundreds of DIY ideas and projects. Simple ornaments, gifts, decorating ideas galore…… here are a few of the best I found as I browsed the web.

A Round-Up of Gifts to Make

Paper napkins and 4″ ceramic tiles for personalized coasters via curbly.com (or try a map, pretty scrapbook paper, or whatever suits the recipient). Fruity button napkins use simple stitching skills and small buttons for a big impression via Martha Stewart.

Photo via Martha Stewart

Make a photo family tree for framing via Scrapjazz. Here’s a tutorial to make a soothing rice-heat-therapy bag using simple sewing skills via Sew Mama Sew.

Photo via Sew Mama Sew

For the reader on your gift list, a handmade bookmark is always appreciated. TheLittleGreenHouse.net shares instructions on how to make a simple stitched bookmark, but you could make them of paper, beads, or whatever you have on hand.

Holiday Ornaments

Choose some affordable holiday themed scrapbook paper and whip up a hand full of these trees. Directions via Better Homes & Garden.

Project via BHG.com

A little more detail work – punch out small circles from recycled holiday cards and glue to a form – makes these cute pine cone ornaments via BHG.com

Project via BHG.com

Everything Etsyhas done a great job collecting 101 Handmade Ornament links. As I clicked through the links, I found needlework, painted, crafted, ornaments to make with your kids, and an occasional elegant ornament. How about adding a handmade ornament to your package bows as an extra token from you?

Holiday Decor

Paper is an inexpensive and versatile medium to make all sorts of different holiday decor items. These whimsical trees are made reusing last year’s Christmas cards (directions via BHG.com)

A simple, no-sew runner and holiday trees with bay leaves make a pretty table, via MakeIt-LoveIt.com.

If you’re feeling ho-hum about bringing out the same old decor this year, why not mix it up a bit? Think outside the box for just one element of your decorating and rejuvenate the feeling of the whole house.

Photo via TheInspiredRoom.com

Try a different kind of tree – how about some architectural bare branches? Or a pair of small trees that can be planted outside after the holidays?

Photo via TheInspiredRoom.com

I’ve shared my trials and successes with my own mantel decor in posts over the years – and attractive mantels abound online – here’s one that highlights a simple color scheme of white, a little bit of greenery and a handmade paper wreath.

Mantel decor for the holidays via TheInspiredRoom.net

Gift Wrapping Genius

Simple, inexpensive materials can make your gifts look special and thoughtful. Better Homes and Garden shows how to recycle your old holiday cards in many ways – this one cuts simple petal shapes out of the cards and glues them to a package for a personalized look. Here’s a free printable and instructions to make this adorable little gift bag – all you need is a color printer and some card stock! via Eat Drink Chic.

Instructions & printable by Eat Drink Chic

I found this great collection of country Christmas tags as free printables – everything from address labels to gift tags via WorldLabel.com

Everyone Loves Handmade

Hopefully this has inspired you to set aside some time, get out the glue gun, scissors, and glitter and make a little something to share with someone you love. Even if you’re not a Martha Stewart type and choose not to make a gift, little touches of handmade to adorn a package or decorate for a party are really appreciated. If you want to try something new and aren’t sure of the technique, remember to check out YouTube – you can learn how to make anything there! I want to see handmade under the tree this year – what will you make?