Christmas Eve is just days away!  Not to worry – even if you haven’t finished (or started!) decorating you can still make your home merry with a minimum amount of time, money, and stress.  These quick and easy holiday decorating tricks help you prove it’s never too late to decorate!

Deck Your Halls

To save both time and money (thereby reducing your stress!), these ideas use  things you probably already have around the house or items you can easily pick up at a grocery, craft or variety store.
Round up ribbon: It’s not just for wrapping gifts – put your ribbon stash to work decorating around your house.  Below, bright red ribbons transform plain white chairs into beautiful seating for a holiday meal.

Photo altogetherchristmas.com

Ribbon decks a doorway – making your entrance merry.  Use the same idea on a front door and when guests pass over the threshold your welcoming home is the gift they will discover.

Photo bhg.com

Ribbons turn plain, everyday toss pillows into holiday decor.

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When you’re done baking cookies, tie your cutters to ribbons and hang them in the kitchen window as a fun and festive decoration.

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Show Off Ornaments: Tree ornaments add a festive air whether or not they’re on a tree.  Gather favorite or spare ornaments together in a bowl or basket.

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Even plain ornaments look special clustered under a cloche.

Photo marthastewart.com

A silver tray, a square vase, and a simple ribbon highlight simple glass balls.  Use this on your dining table, coffee table or entry table.

Photo midwestliving.com

Rounding ornaments up in a basket provides a contrasting texture to play off the glassy balls.

Photo altogetherchristmas.com

Plenty of Pine Cones: Gather pine cones or buy a bag at your local craft store.  Glue pine cones to lengths of ribbon to decorate a door, a mirror, or perhaps a window.

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Scatter pine cones across a few evergreen branches and you’ve got a centerpiece.

Photo realsimple.com

Shop the Grocer: Your holiday decorations may already be in the fridge!  Full size oranges or small mandarins add a spark of color to evergreen trimmings and white candles.

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Stud an orange with cloves and you’ve got an attractive visual display, a wonderful holiday scent, and a gift to send home with guests.

Photo allyou.com

A colorful decoration and a sweet surprise for the kids – fill glass containers with bright, attention-getting candy and everyone will think you’re a sweetie!

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Candy isn’t just for kids – here’s a display for adult tastes.

Photo allyou.com

Branch Out: A simple collection of branches creates elegant decor.

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An unexpected evergreen branch adds festivity to the bedroom.

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Turn the greeting cards you receive into decorations by hanging them with ribbon on a bundle of branches.

Photo marthastewart.com

Pretty Paper: Use gift wrap to dress up some of your already hanging art or cover empty or unused frames to create quick holiday decor.

Photo bhg.com

Paper stars add sparkle to a display hutch.

Photo marthastewart.com

Lighten Up: Candles add a warm, cozy ambiance to a room that makes any decor special.  Get glowing!  Cluster tiny candles on a reflective silver tray.

Photo midwesternliving.com

Round up your taper candle holders and load up your dining room table for an enchanting display.

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Float candles in footed glassware.

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Top your cake plate with candles in glass cups.

Photo midwesternliving.com

Take Inventory and Take It Easy

Ribbon, tree ornaments, pine cones, grocery items, branches, colorful paper and candles – you’re bound to have some of these around the house right now.  How will you put them to use for holiday decorations?  It’s easy to complete your holiday when you let your imagination loose.  Have fun.  And have a warm, cheery, enjoyable holiday!

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