ShareIf you’re sentimental like I am, it can be tempting to save every holiday card you’ve ever received. Until you catch an episode of Hoarders and want to throw everything away. But there’s another way! Take Liz’s lead and recycle the cards you just can’t bear to part with into pretty holiday decor. They say what goes around comes around — these Christmas card crafts are examples of how that can actually be a good thing!
ShareSo, back in October I confessed to you that I didn’t carve my first jack-o’-lantern until I was in college. Well, here’s another one for you: I didn’t decorate my first gingerbread house until I was in high school (double gasp!). As a perfectionist, I found the icing terribly difficult to work with, the red hots just wouldn’t stay lined up and don’t even get me started on the Lifesaver candies. I’ll just leave gingerbread house construction to the kiddos while I munch on the supplies. Even though I’ve given up on making these edible homes, I’m still intrigued by all the different ways you can dress up gingerbread. And searches are spiking* for gingerbread house ideas, so we know you all are definitely looking for ways to integrate all those baking supplies somehow. Check out these unique home ideas and see if you can pick out the various candies used in each one. And while you’re at it, why not give one of them a try yourself?
Host a Kid-Friendly Gingerbread House Decorating Party
Photo courtesy of Fantasy of Trees
ShareWe’re counting down to Christmas with a new holiday party tip, decorating idea or DIY project every day until December 25. Miss a day? See all the posts here.
If you’ve been following our Christmas Countdown, then you’ve probably noticed that we’ve been trying to help you mark off your holiday to-do list. We gave you tree-trimming inspiration, outdoor decorating ideas and hopefully got the ball rolling on your upcoming holiday party. So now, we’re hitting an item on the list that somehow always gets put off until the last minute — the holiday cards.
Make This 3-D Felt Christmas Tree Card
Don’t let this year’s holiday cards become this year’s holiday hassle. Put on a Christmas movie, get out the scissors and start crafting. Before you know it, you’ll have everyone’s name marked off the list and a new movie added to your annual holiday must-watch queue. Make and send one of these handmade holiday cards friends and family will remember for years to come.
ShareKeep your Christmas tree grounded with school spirit and vintage flair with a one-of-a-kind souvenir pennant tree skirt.
Give me a C! — C! Give me an H! — H! Give me an R! — R! Give me an I! — I! OK, you get the point.
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo CHRISTMAS!
ShareWe’re counting down to Christmas with a new holiday party tip, decorating idea or DIY project every day until December 25. Miss a day? See all the posts here.
You’ve probably been tossing around idea after idea for this year’s holiday party. Steer away from the cliche “tacky Christmas sweater” theme and try something entirely new. Your friends will love it, and it will be the perfect way to end the year.
Try party themes that require more guest interactivity, like fondue or holiday crafts. It’s a great way for different groups of friends to meet and mingle, plus it puts less pressure on the host/hostess to ensure everyone is occupied or entertained.
I’ve listed 10 of our favorite holiday party themes below. The best part? They’re SO easy to pull together because we have the (free!) printables and decorating how-tos right there for you. Party on!
FREE HOLIDAY PRINTABLES:
MORE HOLIDAY PARTY THEME IDEAS:
ShareMy neighborhood grocery store has started to play Christmas carols, so the holiday season is officially on in my book. Have you started decking those halls yet? If not, I’ve got some ideas for you involving paper drinking straws. Yes, those stripey wonders that looked so chic in your summertime lemonade also work in the dead of winter! Check out these seasonable straw craft ideas and drink up the festive beauty.
ShareClassic pinecones get a modern, ombre treatment in this painted DIY project. Use the finished, colorful pinecones as holiday party favors or to decorate your home for the season.
Also, take a look at this fun pinecone craft that Briana highlighted last November.
And, Even More Pinecone Crafts:
Pinecone Wreath
Pinecone Gift Wrap (Say what? It’s true!)
Pinecone Christmas Ornament
Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever said the word “pinecone” so much in my life. Alas, do you have any other crafty crafts where pinecones are utilized? Share them below!
ShareI’m terrible about sending Christmas cards, and it turns out I’m not much better at receiving them. I get these beautiful cards — mini works of art, really — and have no place to display them. Oh, there’s the fridge, of course, but anything less than my DREAM FRIDGE just seems too everyday for the good tidings. Fortunately, I stumbled upon this clever solution from Jen of Tatertots & Jello.
Jen made her own ladder and painted it blue to match her decor. She then dressed it with twine and clothespins, and ta-da! Now she can show off those Christmas cards in style. What’s more, Jen points out that the ladder can also be used to string up an advent calendar, or you could even use it to put up some stockings (especially handy for those of us without fireplaces). Check out her tutorial for all the steps. You may have to take down your Christmas tree after the holidays, but this is one attractive craft you can leave up year-round.
Get more festive holiday craft and homemade gift ideas here!
[Via: Houzz]
ShareAs a child, one of my favorite ways to count down the 25 days leading up to Christmas was to make a construction paper chain-link advent “calendar.” Each day I’d (impatiently) tear off a chain until 24 green-and-red strips of paper lay in the floor, letting me know it was time for Santa’s arrival. If you want to keep it ultra-simple this year with construction paper and glue, then more power to you (I always loved ripping off those paper links). But we have two chic and creative advent calendar ideas — one modern and one traditional — that are sure to make this holiday season memorable for the entire family.
Modern:
We often picture an advent calendar strung up the banister or across the mantel. But, what about as a centerpiece? Jessica Wilcox of Modern Moments Designs covered sweetly wrapped gifts, ribbons and ornaments with a vintage chicken-wire cloche dome and attached printable Christmas tags to represent the 25-day countdown. Each day, let the kids remove a tag from the dome and open a gift. With each tag removed, simply replace with the next consecutive number. The interactive display will make dinnertime even more exciting during the holidays.
Download and Print Christmas Countdown Tags in Blue, Green, Pink and Teal >>
Traditional:
For those who love traditional charm and vintage style, we have the perfect advent calendar that looks especially lovely wrapped around the Christmas tree or up the banister. To create this holiday countdown keepsake, print 24 different, antique-inspired images onto fused linen and freezer paper and paint a number onto the bottom corner of each to represent the days of Christmas. Sew pockets into each image to hold treats and surprises for each day, and then tie each pocket together to create a long banner. Get the full how-to here >>
Want to see more? Head over to HGTV.com for more easy advent calendar ideas you can make at home before December 1.
ShareI know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but Christmas is in the air. Am I crazy for saying that? Justin Bieber’s newest album “Under the Mistletoe” has been blaring in my car all week (yes — it’s true), I’ve already seen the classic Hershey Kisses Christmas commercial at least twenty times and my most recent mall adventure included an obstacle course of Christmas trees, garland and artificially wrapped gifts. Ah, I love this time of year. For those of you ready to dive in and get to it, I have five fun and festive handmade Christmas projects you can create this weekend in a snap.
Creative and Easy-to-Create Christmas Decorating Ideas
Starting December 1, you can count down the days till Christmas with this festive (and adorable) mitten garland advent calendar. Use twine to string up 24 miniature mittens, and hang below the mantel or wrap around the tree for an instant dash of holiday cheer. Get full step-by-step instructions here >>
Your friends and family won’t believe it when you tell them you handcrafted this eco-chic miniature bird necklace. With just a few tools and materials, you can create a customized gift a nature-lover will truly appreciate. Get full step-by-step instructions here >>
Check out other one-of-a-kind handmade Christmas gift ideas, from sweater scarfs for her to rough-and-tumble bar sets for him.
Break away from tradition this year by swapping out Christmas stockings for galvanized metal pails painted with vibrant, festive hues. Marian Parsons of Mustard Seed Interiors personalized these pails with polka dots, monograms and other fun designs. You can even pull the kids in on this project and let them decorate their own. Line them with tissue paper and fill with various treats and gifts for a fun Christmas surprise. Get full step-by-step instructions here >>
Who doesn’t love a good, from-the-heart handmade card? Break up the stack of store-bought cards your friends and family will receive this Christmas with this modern and sophisticated ornament card you can create for each and every person on your list. Get full step-by-step instructions here >>
During the holidays, no front door is complete without a stunning wreath, so dress it up with this natural moss-and-cranberry beauty. If you’re feeling especially creative, you can even bring the wreath inside and make it part of your Christmas centerpiece, too. Get full step-by-step instructions here >>
Head over to HGTV.com for hundreds of other handmade holiday ideas sure to satisfy your need for the season.
Nominee 4: Rooftop Deck in Miami Beach >>
Nominee 3: The Charles Street meeting house in Boston,
Nominee 4: Mini Midcentury in Bothell, Wash. >>
Nominee 1: Gingerbread Cottage in Mount Tabor, N.J. >>
RECENTLY COMMENTED ON
May 22, 2013 179 Comments
January 6, 2012 14 Comments
May 22, 2013 7 Comments
5 Comments
May 7, 2013 5 Comments