Decorating your home for the holidays can be a joyful, heartwarming experience. It doesn't take a lot of money to create a festive environment.
Handmade seasonal decorations and accents can be fun and nostalgic. Making your own decorative items is affordable and can bring the family together during the hectic holiday season. Many of these ideas can be done while you're watching television so there's no excuse not to try at least one of these fun, jolly ideas for your holiday decor.
Crackers
This year I've decided to make homemade crackers for my holiday table. It's a simple project using inexpensive wrapping paper, bits of ribbon and cardboard tubing (from either toilet tissue or paper towels). The nice thing about making your own crackers is you can customize them inside and out for each guest.
I prefer to use toilet paper rolls as they are the perfect length for crackers so there is less cutting involved than there would be with paper towels rolls. They also accumulate more quickly in the recycling bin.
So, one toilet tissue roll will be the body of the cracker. Cut another tube into two equal pieces for the ends of the cracker as seen in the sample photograph. (I found it easier to insert the end tubes after wrapping the core tube, although the photograph shows all three tube lengths being wrapped together.)
Cut a piece of wrapping paper wide enough and long enough to wrap around the core tube leaving enough on each end to insert the 'holder' tube pieces with enough space in between to be able to tie the crackers after they are completed. I used a glue stick to adhere the edges of the paper together but transparent tape or hot glue will work as well. Fold over any uneven or cut edges before gluing the paper onto the tube for a finished look.
Put a bit of glue or tape onto the 'holder' pieces and insert into the ends of the cracker, folding the paper into the holders to finish the ends. Use lengths of ribbon to adorn the crackers until they are festive and attractive. Use colours that match your holiday table for a uniform look.
Make or purchase small toys, treats and party items to insert into the crackers. I chose to use items that are personal to each guest. For example, I made some fridge magnets using small photographs backed with magnet sheeting as seen in our second photograph.
Other items you can use are things like scented tea lights, toy jewelry, fortunes (create your own) key chains and so on. You could even use crackers to hold special items like an engagement ring or keys to a new vehicle.
You don't want the cracker to be overly heavy, so choose fun, party items that will bring smiles to your family and friends. Purchase cracker strips (which make the 'pop' sound when the cracker is pulled) at a craft store. Insert the cracker strips so the ends are extended to at least the middle of the 'holder' tube so it can be grasped and pulled easily.
Tie one end of the cracker with decorative ribbon so that the toys etc. can be inserted into the core tube, then tie the other end with decorative ribbon. Label each cracker with a gift tag and use as place cards. The table will look great and the crackers will delight your guests. Or, place them under the tree for the big day.
The holiday table
Setting a great table can make the holiday feast extra-special. Incorporating unique and creative touches will make the meal memorable. Again, setting a holiday table doesn't have to cost a lot. Using items that you have on hand can make the experience easy and affordable.
If you choose not to make crackers for the holiday table you can use pine cones, tree ornaments or small framed photos of each guest as place cards.
Fill a large, clear vase or bowl with leftover tree ornaments as a table centrepiece. Throw in some beaded garland to create a sense of elegance. Another inexpensive way to create a festive centrepiece is to wrap graduated sizes of small boxes and make a stack of gifts the centrepiece for the table.
Gift ideas for the home
Gifts for the home can be a challenging endeavour but not an impossible one if you steer away from non-specific decor styles and colours. There are tons of great gift ideas you can purchase for the homeowners on your list. I've broken them down into two categories to help you make your decision.
The first category is for close friends and family wherein you have a good handle on their decor tastes and colours. The second category is for the rest: homes you're not familiar with or haven't been to in a while, hostess gifts, new homeowners who haven't established a decor style yet, and so on.
Decor gifts for family and friends
When you have a good idea of your gift recipient's decor taste, your gift choices can be more liberal. You need to keep in mind spatial issues, storage needs, and the style and colour palette of the homeowner. In fact, one or all of these factors can actually help you in your quest for the perfect decor gift.
For example, if your gift recipient lives in a small, crowded apartment you can steer your choices toward helping solve that problems, with gifts like decorative storage containers, stylish accent shelves and combination items like decorative mirror with photo frames sets.
Photo frames also come in a great variety of styles and sets. There are photo-frame collage sets that have several frames already arranged and attached to hang as a photo collage over a sofa or bed. Free-standing photo screens, room dividers and again, combination frames sets with mirrors, hooks or shelving. Check out websites like Sears (home accents), Urban Barn, Umbra and Pier One Imports. There are some really lovely items in these realms.
Scented candles make nice decor gifts and for those who may have a fireplace, items like tea-light screens can be a perfect gift as it can be used when the fireplace it not in use.
Decorative vases come in an array of styles, sizes and colours and make a great homeowner gift. Fill your vase with fresh flowers when presenting it or a gift card from a flower shop for future use.
Houseplants are great for homeowners with a green thumb. Kits like a kitchen-window herb garden can be great for the chefs on your list. Easy-care plants like lucky bamboo are a good choice for those who don't have a green thumb.
Hostess gifts
Hostess gifts can be a little daunting if you aren't familiar with their home style, but there are still a number of great items that are sure to please your intended. Some of the items mentioned above, like photo coasters, small houseplants or vases, can make great hostess gifts.
High-end kitchen linen sets of tea towels/dishcloths (like those made from bamboo) can be a great hostess gift. Keep the colour neutral if you're unsure of the decor palette. A monogrammed bath sheet is a personal gift anyone would love for their home. Again, keep the colours neutral. Sears offers monogramming when you shop online or by phone.
For everyone else
Decorating books, magazine subscriptions or DVDs are a fun decor gift, especially for the new homeowner, as are gift cards from home decor or building-supply stores. Everyone needs a good clock and luckily they come in tons of great styles and sizes so you're sure to find one for the homeowner on your list.
Low or no cost
Even if your budget is tight, there are still ways to delight those on your gift list. Offer to help with upcoming decor projects such as painting or offer to take the kids and pets for a day to allow the homeowner to get their decor projects done in peace.
Handmade gifts can be fun and are low-cost. A decorative memo board for the kitchen or home office is a good choice and can be made with little or no cost. Check out the Internet for ideas.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
