While we’re all for giving your entire house the North Pole treatment (see out these Christmas-worthy living rooms), there are so many tiny ways to make a big difference, such as adding a few handcrafted ornaments to your tree or decorating your staircase in red and green.

Put Cards on Display

Tie a trio of fresh greens to a wooden hanger and hang it somewhere within reach, so you can clip on Christmas cards as soon as they arrive.

Round-Up Vintage Bulbs

Head to your local flea market (or grandma’s attic!) to find a bunch of festive-colored bulbs. Then glue them around a wreath form, dusting a few bulbs with glitter as you go along.

Cast a Warm Glow

Fill glass lanterns with LED twinkle lights and put them by your front door, inside your fireplace or along your stairs to light the way.

Personalize Your Place Settings

Once you have your guest list squared away, make a monogram napkin ring to place at every seat. Simply, twist and form a pipe cleaner to look like the letter of their first name, then secure it to a napkin ring in the same color.

Combine Greens and Glitter

Mix in metallic garland and glittery pillar candles with fresh greens to add a touch of glam to your space.

Trade Stockings for Mugs

Perhaps, it’s time to start a new tradition: This year, keep your stockings packed away and round up a matching Christmas mug, one for each family member. Fill them with sweet treats, tiny trinkets or whatever else Santa normally leaves behind.

Opt for Red Accents

Red is a sign of the season, so go all-out with festive pillows, berry wreaths and plaid throws in the cheery hue.

DIY a Christmas Card Tree

You probably receive a countless number of Christmas cards (which isn’t a bad thing), so pick the very best to display on your wall. Arrange them in a Christmas tree shape for a festive look.

Give Santa a Warm Welcome

There’s no doubt that Santa and Rudolf will appreciate a handwritten chalkboard greeting when they swing by for milk and cookies.

Decorate a Tree With Citrus

Who said fruits have no place in your Christmas decor setup? For a fun twist, consider making your very own garland out of dried citrus. Simply use twine, nylon thread, or wire to assemble it.

Craft a Paper Leaf Garland

Put your creativity on full display by dressing your Christmas dinner table with a DIY leaf garland. All you need are green craft paper and fun red jingle bells to complete the look.

Incorporate Pops of Plaid

Boost your living room’s cozy factor with an assortment of stockings in a festive plaid pattern.

Arrange Felt Tree Hurricanes

Go for a playful, crafty look by sprucing up your table with glass hurricanes decked out in felt Christmas trees. Play up the green theme with complementary dishware, cloth napkins, and spruce branches.

DIY an Advent Calendar

If you’re not feeling traditional chocolate or toy advent calendars, make your own with paper tags and on-theme trinkets. That way, the whole family can join in on the fun.

Wrap Garland Around Bedposts

Your kids won’t have to worry about any rogue pine needles with this felt holly leaf garland. Just weave it between the bedposts and bed frame to ensure that it stays in place all night long.

Build a Makeshift Fireplace

No fireplace? No problem! Attach this cloth wall hanging, hang stockings with care, and easily remove it once the festivities are over.

Go for the Candy Effect

Skip the traditional red and green, and opt for candy-colored ornaments instead. Add some candy canes and peppermint garland for good measure.

Deck the Walls

When you have too many gifts underneath the tree, it’s time to get creative. Enter this gift-covered bookshelf, complete with matching wrapping paper and black, white, and silver touches.

Lean on Evergreens

Bring in different textures and colors by adding greens, plaid, and knits all in one Christmas-ready space. And if you use real evergreen, it’ll smell equal to festive.

These room scents are wonderfully strong – not too strong – and they’re easy to simmer. You can do these in simmer pots or you can simply put them on the top of your stove and let them simmer in a regular pot. These are perfect to leave simmering throughout your family gatherings or just anytime you want the wonderful scent of the holidays to waft through your home.

1. Clean Lavender Potpourri

Lavender is a wonderfully clean and fresh scent and when you mix it with fresh rosemary and anise pods, you get a wonderful simmering potpourri that will fill your entire home with freshness. You also add lemon extract and water to this and just let is simmer on the stove or in a simmering pot.

Recipe/Instructions: bet1975

2. Apple Cider Simmering Potpourri

Apple spice is the perfect fall scent and this apple cider potpourri will fill your home with warm and inviting smells. To make this one, you need dried apples as well as cinnamon sticks, ginger and cloves. It smells like hot apple cider and you can make this one with the peelings and cores from your apples if you don’t want to use up the actual apple, like after you’ve made cinnamon apple rings. Just use what’s left after you slice up those apples.

Recipe/Instructions: chickensintheroad

3. Homemade Bay Leaves And Licorice Potpourri

This simmering potpourri is made with bay leaves and anise so it smells like licorice. It’s perfect for adding wonderfully warm and inviting autumn scents to your home. You just add the bay leaves with cinnamon sticks, anise, ground cloves and orange peelings to a pot of water and simmer on the stove all day. Remember to keep an eye on the pot and add water whenever needed.

Recipe/Instructions: thecasualcraftlete

4. Orange And Cinnamon Slow Cooker Potpourri

Orange peel, cinnamon sticks and cloves are the perfect scents for the holidays. This simmering potpourri recipe uses all three of those and you can make it in the slow cooker, so it’s super easy. You just add your orange peelings and other ingredients to the slow cooker and ad din water. You can use any type of citrus you want for this one and change up the scent just a bit.

Recipe/Instructions: thenovicechefblog

5. Homemade Cinnamon And Cranberry Simmering Potpourri

This cranberry and cinnamon stove top potpourri definitely smells like the holidays. It has fresh or frozen cranberries, cinnamon sticks, oranges, cloves, nutmeg and rosemary and it smells absolutely amazing while it is simmering. If you want something to get your home ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is definitely a scent that you need to try.

Recipe/Instructions: rachelschultz

6. Pine Simmering Potpourri

Pine or cedar twigs are perfect for creating that great old fashioned holiday scent. If you are looking to create a country style Christmas, this is the perfect simmering potpourri for you. You just add those twigs to a pot and put in bay leaves and nutmeg. You can also add cinnamon – I think cinnamon and pine work really well together for the holidays – or any other spice that you prefer. This would pair wonderfully with your DIY farmhouse style Christmas decorations.

Recipe/Instructions: theyummylife

7. Floral Scented Simmering Potpourri

Anytime you get flowers you should save them. This goes for those wonderful spur of the moment surprise flowers from your significant other as well as those that you buy yourself. Once those flowers have dried out, you can use them to create wonderfully scented simmering potpourri and you don’t even need that many supplies to do so.

Recipe/Instructions: savvysugar

8. Fall Simmering Spices Potpourri

Oranges are great for creating fall and winter scented potpourri and what you add to those oranges can completely change the scent. I love this fall scented simmering potpourri that has orange peel, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla bean to give it a warm and welcoming scent. The vanilla will make it smell like you’ve been baking all day and really set the mood for the holidays.

Recipe/Instructions: thehealthymaven

9. Luscious Spiced Coffee Simmering Potpourri

What could possibly smell better than coffee? Honestly, I love the scent of coffee in the morning and this spiced coffee potpourri will smell like you’ve made a fresh pot…all day long. It has coffee beans (whole roasted coffee beans) as well as cinnamon sticks, whole cardamom pods, anise and allspice berries. This is honestly one of the best scents in the world, especially if you like coffee, and it has a wonderful odor covering property – in case you have pets, litter boxes, etc.

Recipe/Instructions: hellonatural

10. Easy Homemade Holiday Potpourri

This potpourri has all the wonderful scents of the holidays in an easy to make and simmer recipe. You can add this potpourri spice mix to evergreen sprigs, pinecones and so many other wonderful natural holiday items. You can also use cloves, dried walnuts or hazelnuts, and a number of essential oils to make your holiday spice mix your very own. Just play around with scents until you get the one that you love.

Recipe/Instructions: designsponge

11. Homemade Dehydrator Potpourri

You can make the most amazing potpourri in your dehydrator. Once you have this dried out, you can leave it out dry or add it to a pot with water – or another scented liquid like apple juice or cider – and simmer it all day long. You just add whatever scents you like. Good ones for the holidays are apples, any citrus including lemons, oranges and grapefruits and then spices like ginger, cardamom, cloves or cinnamon.

Recipe/Instructions: dappledesigns

12. Apple And Flower Potpourri Mix

The good thing about autumn is that you have so many options when it comes to natural ingredients to add to your potpourri mix. Go outside and gather up pinecones, apples, walnuts and evergreen twigs. Then add those to nutmeg, cloves, orange peels, scented essential oils and dried flowers to create your own custom simmering potpourri scents.

Recipe/Instructions: womansday

13. Homemade Pinecone And Orange Potpourri

This stove top potpourri has so many wonderful smells of the holidays including oranges, cinnamon and pinecones. You start by dicing apples and then add pinecones, cinnamon, oranges, and rosemary to a pot of water to create this wonderful scent. This is a great one for all winter and really makes your home smell warm and inviting. Plus, you can utilize pinecones. There are so many wonderful DIY pinecone crafts!

Recipe/Instructions: ohsodelicioso

14. Homemade Cinnamon And Pine Simmering Potpourri

I absolutely love the smell of cinnamon and pine. It has such a wonderful Christmas scent to it and you can get that scent by just adding a few pine sprigs to a pot of water and putting in some cinnamon sticks. If you have a fireplace, this is perfect for simmering in your living room or you can leave it on the stove top or use a simmering potpourri pot. The scents really work well together and this is such a cheap DIY potpourri to make.

Recipe/Instructions: make-haus

15. Apple And Pumpkin Potpourri

Apples and pumpkin really are the scents of the season, aren’t they? I love this recipe that has apple cider and canned pumpkin, along with cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla. It will smell like you’ve been baking wonderful holiday treats all day and you can simmer this for hours by just adding in a bit more water when it starts to get low.

Recipe/Instructions: freepeople

16. Pumpkin Spice Simmering Potpourri

Here’s another wonderful simmering potpourri with pumpkin. This one has apple cider and canned pumpkin as well as apple slices – or peelings and core – and pumpkin pie spice to give it a really strong and wonderful scent. You just add all of your ingredients to a pot and simmer away. You can substitute the water in this one for apple juice or cider or use water if you want to cut down on the apple scent.

Recipe/Instructions: cleanandscentsible

17. Herbal Tea Simmering Potpourri

Herbal tea in any flavor that you want, adds to the wonderful scent of this holiday simmering potpourri. You just add an herbal tea bag to a pot that contains water, apple slices, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, cloves and a few pine branches. Peppermint tea would be wonderful in this if you are looking to add some holiday scents or you could use chamomile for a more relaxing scent. The choice is yours!

Recipe/Instructions: christinasadventures

18. DIY Apple Ginger Simmering Potpourri

I love the smell of apples simmering and this apple and ginger potpourri is so perfect for fall. You can simmer this every day from now until New Year’s and it’s really easy to throw together. Just add apple halves – or you can use the cores and peelings if you’re making a pie – along with cloves, fresh ginger, cinnamon and a few other spices to get the most perfectly wonderful scent. Make this potpourri with the leftover apple cores and peels after you’ve made tasty apple pie fries.

Recipe/Instructions: howsweeteats

Today, we’re going to provide you with some helpful hints for managing your stress levels throughout the holidays.

1. Buy your Christmas cards in advance

Did you remember Great-Auntie Sue? Childhood neighbour, Derrick? The exhaustive list of Christmas cards recipients is enough to send anyone a bit loopy.

November may be a bit early to stamp and send your cards, but you can get ahead by picking up a few packs next time you’re out. When you find yourself with an hour to kill, get writing so that come December, you’ll be able to sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that no one has been forgotten.

If you’ve left it too late this year, don’t worry. An email, heartfelt text or phone call will mean just as much to them.

2. Make storing food stress-free by deep cleaning your fridge & freezer

It’s fair to say we take festive food pretty seriously in the UK. So seriously, in fact, that finding enough fridge space is one of our main sources of worry at Christmas time.

Deep clean your fridge and freezer in preparation and you – and all your hungry guests – will be safe in the knowledge that there’s enough space to store all that deliciousness.

3. Stock up on your favourite Christmas tipples

Brandy, hot cocoa, cherryade – Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a cupboard full of the family’s favourite tipples.

The prospect of not being able to cater for everyone’s favourite beverages is actually one of the main stresses at Christmas, which just goes to show how seriously Grandad takes his gin. Make sure you’re prepared for whoever drops in by stocking up well in advance.

4. Keep on top of that laundry pile

There’s nothing more stressful than spending Christmas Eve stood over the ironing board or washing machine.

Make sure you’re able to join in with the family Christmas cheer the night before by keeping on top of the laundry on the lead up to the big day.

5. Schedule in the dreaded, big clean

Break your Christmas clean down into smaller tasks for a more manageable clean.
The one you’ve all been waiting for – the big, deep clean before all our guests and their ‘onlooking’ eyes arrive.

Despite the fact that everyone will be too busy cooing over new gifts, divine dishes and friendly faces to pay attention to the odd cobweb, it’s something the majority of us feel obliged to take care of.

Make this mammoth task less stressful by breaking it down into small tasks and scheduling them out over a longer period of time. That way the prospect will seem much less daunting.

If you’re short on time, try to hide as much clutter as possible in cupboards and under beds. Focus on the rooms that will be seen by guests like the living room, downstairs loo and kitchen.

6. Give your car the once over to avoid Christmas catastrophes

Many of us travel around a lot over the festive period to visit nearest and dearests. While it’s great to catch-up, the cold, icy conditions can be tricky to negotiate.

Ensuring your car is fit for the Christmas weather by topping up your screen defroster, checking your tyres and packing a small screen scraper in the glove box for snowy days – it’ll be plain sailing from there on out.

7. Rifle through your Christmas decorations

There’s nothing like some shiny decorations to bring the Christmas cheer!
Christmas isn’t about the materialistic stuff. Of course, deep down we know this is true, but we often feel pressure to make our houses look as beautiful as possible during the festive season.

If you’re guilty of frantically rushing out to buy every bauble in sight as the big day nears, planning in advance is probably a good idea.

Check what decorations you already have in storage and it will help you stay calm and collected when buying new ones. There will be less temptation to buy things you don’t need, helping to keep that Christmas budget low, and you’ll also be able to construct a flowing décor you’re proud of.

8. Make welcoming unscheduled guests stress-free

The beauty – and stress – of Christmas often comes from the unscheduled drop-ins of family and friends.

It’s difficult to throw things together and make things hospitable at the flick of a switch, and whilst your guests will probably be happy with anything, chances are you’ll want everything to be just right.

You can easily make such occasions stress-free by getting a few things together before such occasions arise. Fill a chest full of spare sheets and towels for any ad hoc drop-ins, stock up on toiletries, and clear some wardrobe space so your visitors feel as welcome as you intend them to.

9. Stock up on snacks

Christmas is the one time of year when you can expect an impromptu drop-in from literally anyone who’s ever known you. Not only that, but you’re obliged to welcome the guests – whether you recognise them or not – with the appropriate snacks and nibbles – it’s no wonder having enough food is one of our main Christmas worries!

Stock up now to make sure you can fill any awkward silences with snack offerings.

10. Write the mammoth shopping list

There’s nothing as devastating as starting Christmas Day dinner only to realise you’ve forgotten to buy the most lusted-after ingredient – Yorkshire puddings, and lots of them.

Avoid stressing over forgotten ingredients by writing your shopping list as early as possible. (You should probably check it at least ten times too, you know, just to be sure). If you’re having people over, why not ask them for suggestions?

1. Pretty pastel Christmas mantel

Pastel colours might not look like the traditional Christmas set up, but they make us happy so how could we argue with that? If you’re also a fan of the idea of having a pastel Christmas, then we’re pretty sure Serendipity Refined‘s guide to how they created this lovely light and bright mantel might be just the kind of thing you’re looking for right from the outset!

2. Pretty light blue mantel

Have we actually really caught your attention with the idea of incorporating a little bit of pastel colour in your fireplace decor scheme but you can’t help feeling like you’d much rather stick to a rather white and blue aesthetic instead of including pinks and greens as well? In that case, we have a feeling you’ll really appreciate this guide from Remodelacasa that shows you how they used light blue, white, and silver to make a spot that looks very icy indeed.

3. Icy mint and silver mantel

Do you quite enjoy the idea of making a DIY mantel display that’s clearly inspired by the ice outside your cozy home door but you’re just not sure that particular kind of light blue will suit your home, which has quite a number of green tones it might clash with? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how The Sunny Side Up Blog created a beautiful variation on the theme using silver and mint green instead!

4. DIY mantel ornament garlan

Perhaps you’re looking for something that’s actually a little more colourful and bright than the ideas you’ve seen so far? In that case, we think you actually just might be the perfect person to give this beautiful glass Christmas ornaments garland that sits very well across the top of a fireplace mantel a try! Learn more about just how simply it can be made on Brit + Co..

5. Festive green and plaid mantel

Does your home actually already have quite a country chic aesthetic to it so you’ve been scrolling through our list hoping to come across something that’s got a slightly more woodland style to it, just to make sure things suit well? In that case, we have a feeling you might appreciate this warm and homey feeling green and plaid mantel from Far Above Rubies that’s very festive indeed.

6. Sparkling white vintage Christmas mantel

Do you actually love the way a bit of silver and sparkle can really help you create a fireplace display that looks like a fresh layer of snow but you’re concerned that the blue and mint versions we showed you look a little too contemporary for your very old fashioned fireplace? Then we’d be willing to bet that you might get along a little better looked at the way My Shabby Streamside Studio created this sparkling white vintage Christmas mantel instead!

7. Beautiful pine and ribbon mantel garland

Have we really got you feeling enamoured by the whole concept of making a large Christmas mantel garland but you’re just not sure the colourful nature of the glass ornaments idea we showed you earlier on our list quite suits the kind of holiday atmosphere you’re trying to build? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how The Craft Patch made this lovely, woodsy looking pine and ribbon mantel piece instead! We love the way they accented with little red lights that almost look like cranberries.

8. Cheers! lightbox mantel marquee

Is contemporary actually precisely the kind of holiday aesthetic you’re going for this year in terms of how you’d like to decorate your fireplace mantel? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at A Beautiful Mess to see how they put their energy into making a lovely greeting marquee to lean against the wall, accenting it with some matching gold pieces and a white and cream yarn pom pom garland below. Cheers, indeed!

9. DIY ornament Merry mantel sign

Have we actually really caught your attention with this whole concept of creating a mantel sign to sit above your fireplace but you’re just not sure that you’re ready to create things that actually light up? Well, if you can get your hands on an abundance of the very glass Christmas balls we’ve been talking about since the beginning of our list, then you have most of what you need to create this alternative type of sign instead! Check out how Homey Oh My constructed their letters with the ornaments fitted into shaped letter frames in order to spell out the word “merry”.

10. DIY golden mantel nutcrackers

Are you actually on the lookout for just a few more pieces to add to the mantel scheme you’ve already started building above your fireplace but you’re hoping for something very simple indeed, just to add a finishing touch and fill some last spaces? Well, if you can get your hands on plain wooden nutcrackers at your local crafting or home decor store, then we think you might appreciate the way The Sweetest Occasion shows you how to paint them nice and carefully! They chose metallic gold for their colour but you could swap that shade out to suit whatever you’ve already adorned your fireplace in.

11. Fun cotton and lace mantel wreath

So long as the pieces you put up around and above your fireplace suit a wintery atmosphere in some manner, are you totally fine with them looking quite whimsical and unconventional rather than traditionally Christmas themed? Well, if you’ve ever been a lover of pink things or decor elements that are quite delicate and girly, then we’re pretty sure White Lace Cottage has precisely the kind of thing you’re looking for! Check out their tutorial to learn more about how this fun cotton and lace mantel wreath was made in just a few simple steps.

12. Pretty pinecone Christmas mantel

Are you actually still thinking about how much you love the idea of making a fireplace display that’s quite heavy on the pinecones because you just love the way they look when you bring the outside in a little, but you have more space to fill and need another piece? Then we definitely think you should check out how Creative Ambitions created this lovely painted pinecone wreath that looks like it was caught in a fresh snow fall.

13. Rustic glam Christmas mantel

Upon first read, we realize that not everyone thinks the words “rustic” and “glam” really go together, but once we saw the way Yellow Bliss Road used their creative skills to make it happen, we just couldn’t help adoring the stunning contrast that pieces from each side of that spectrum create when you put them together! Their use of burlap and greenery perfectly balances gold ornaments and twinkling lights for a look that’s contemporary and old-timey all at once.

14. Cozy faux Christmas fireplace and mantel

Are you actually a residence dwelling college student with no fireplace to speak of but decorating the mantel each year with your family and sitting around the fireplace at home has always been one of your favourite holiday traditions? Then we think you just might be the perfect person to try out this adorable faux fireplace and tinsel mantel idea from Idunn Goddess that lets you literally create your own cardboard fireplace in order to feel a little more at home.

15. Tips and tricks for decorating a mantel with many stockings

Are you actually part of a very large family indeed and you love the idea of following the old traditional and hanging stockings above the fireplace, but you find it starts to look a little crowded and not so stylish? Then we’d definitely encourage you to take a look at this cute tips and tricks guide from The DIY Mommy for working with stockings and setting up a busy fireplace decor scheme where everything has its place so things don’t look too cramped, even if they really are a little.

Have you made and arranged other kinds of beautiful Christmas mantels and fireplace displays before that you were very happy with indeed but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!

How to Make Christmas Decorations From Scratch

There’s nothing like holiday crafting to get you into the Christmas spirit. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time with the family and save money on holiday decor. But what if you’re the least crafty person on the planet? Don’t worry! These DIY Christmas decorations are easy enough for anyone to make. (Yes, even you—we promise.) Many of them are also made from upcycled and natural elements, adding an environmentally friendly spin to the season. So, brew some hot cocoa, turn on the holiday tunes, and discover how to make Christmas decorations from scratch!

Cupcake Wrapper Garland

Holiday cupcake wrappers are adorable and inexpensive. Pick out a sleeve of mixed-pattern liners to create this easy garland. First, flatten the cupcake liners, and fold them in half. Then, stack three folded liners to form a “tree,” and secure with hot glue. Add a paper star at the top, and secure the cupcake liner trees to a length of twine or yarn with staples or hot glue.

Christmas Ribbon Bauble

Use large styrofoam floral balls to create these easy DIY Christmas decorations. Simply stick mini Christmas ribbons onto the surface of the ball and glue a loop of string at the top for the hanger. Mix and match the ribbon to coordinate with your existing holiday decor.

Pasta Noodle Christmas Trees

This pretty little pasta tree looks a lot more difficult to make than it actually is. Roll a piece of cardboard into a cone, then hot-glue it together. Put a dot of hot glue at the base and stick on a noodle. Glue one noodle at a time concentrically until you reach the top. Once you’re done, spray paint it whatever colour you like. Don’t forget to add a bow-tie noodle for the star!

Cinnamon Stick Candle

There’s nothing like the spicy smell of cinnamon to put you in the holiday spirit. For this easy craft, you’ll need a large pillar candle (at least 9 inches tall), a bundle of large cinnamon sticks (about 8 inches long), ribbon, and a hot-glue gun. To start, put a small dab of hot glue on a cinnamon stick, and place it on the candle. Once you’ve placed the cinnamon sticks all the way around, tie some ribbon around it to help hold everything in place. Tuck in some faux berries, sprigs of evergreen, or mini pinecones to complete the look.

Citrus Pomander Candles

Citrus pomanders are classic DIY Christmas decorations. Take this popular craft one step further and transform it into a tea-light holder. To make one, slice a thin piece of skin from the stem end of the orange to create a base. On the opposite end, use a sharp paring knife to cut out a hole that’s just large enough to fit the tea light into. The tea light should fit down in the orange, with the top of the tea light even with the skin of the orange. Decorate the outside with cloves, then insert the tea light.

Citrus Ornaments

Instead of tossing citrus skins into the compost pile, transform them into ornaments. Use cookie cutters to trace shapes onto the skin, and cut them out with a sharp knife. Let them dry on a tray for a few days, then thread them onto a piece of string for a garland or pierce them with a metal ornament hook to hang on a tree.

Cardboard Gingerbread House

Skip the messy pre-fab gingerbread kit and make a gingerbread house out of cardboard boxes instead. It’s easiest to use a square box for this craft. To make the front and back of the roof, cut off the corners of two opposing flaps to form a triangle. Then glue the two remaining uncut sides to the triangles and then to each other. Use chalk markers or paint to decorate your cardboard gingerbread house.

Candy Cane Reindeer

Nothing’s better than a DIY Christmas decoration you can eat. Cut a 3-inch-long piece of brown ribbon. Then, glue two candy canes together, back to back. These are the antlers for your reindeer. Use wiggly eyes and a red mini pom-pom for the face. To hang on a tree, loop a piece of ribbon through the antlers.

Wood Burn Ornament

Wood burning is a versatile craft that looks amazing and is surprisingly easy to do. Either purchase wood slices or forage in your yard for a branch to slice down. Lightly sketch your design on the wood slices before you apply the heat with a wood-burner tool. Stick with simple geometric patterns, like snowflakes. The slices can be hung as ornaments or used as holiday coasters if they are large enough.

Reindeer Pot

Terra-cotta pots are an inexpensive crafting medium that you can do so much with. Create this adorable little reindeer with pipe cleaners, craft paper, wiggly eyes, and a pom-pom. Cut out ears from the craft paper, and adhere them to the pot with hot glue. Twist the pipe cleaners into antlers, and glue them onto the pot, along with the eyes and nose. For a finishing touch, embellish the top with paper twine and some beads.

Cardboard and Yarn Christmas Tree

Sometimes, the simplest DIY Christmas decorations are the best. This little Christmas tree is a cinch to create using yarn, cardboard, and glue. Cut out a simple triangle tree, then paint a layer of glue onto the cardboard. Wrap yarn around the tree, and let it dry. Glue a paper star at the top with a loop of yarn for the hanger.

Bottle Cap Snowmen

Make these mini snowmen by gluing bottle caps onto a length of ribbon. Use pre-made mini craft snowflakes, or cut small, white circular pieces of paper that will fit into the caps. Decorate the pieces of paper, then glue them into the caps. Another option: Paint inside the caps to create your snowmen.

Christmas Ornament Candle Holder

Mini Christmas ball ornaments are inexpensive and come in a variety of colours. Make this festive candle holder by gluing the tiny balls onto a foam wreath form. These pretty little candle holders make perfect hostess gifts as well as a lovely tabletop centrepiece for a party.

Ornament Vase Centrepiece

Another way to create an easy centrepiece is to fill a glass vase with ornaments. You can swap out colours to match your decor. This sophisticated-looking centrepiece is inexpensive, versatile, and super simple—genius!

Natural Garland

This natural garland is not only an easy-to-assemble DIY Christmas decoration—it’s also a great way to keep the kids busy and feel included. Have them gather sprigs of evergreen branches and pine cones from the yard. Add in slices of dried citrus, if you desire. Then clip them to a length of twine with clothespins. As the pieces dry out and become brittle, simply swap them out with fresh pieces.

Snow Globe

Snow globes are the perfect seasonal crafts to make with an upcycled glass jar. Place faux snow at the base, and then add a mini tree inside. Finish off the snow globe with battery-operated LED mini string lights to add a warm glow to any room.

Pine Cone Centrepiece

If you have a yard full of pine cones, use them to create this simple centrepiece. Just place various sizes of pine cones into a wide glass bowl. Then add cinnamon sticks and sprigs of pine for natural fragrance. If you don’t have access to pine cones, you can pick up an inexpensive bag at a craft store.

Ribbon Tree

Crayons and Cravings has the perfect project to make on a rainy (or snowy) day before Christmas: a ribbon tree. Use up all your bits of leftover ribbon to create this darling rustic decoration that matches your holiday decor.

Mason Jar Ring Wreath

Do you have mason jar rings piling up in your drawers? Use them to make mini wreaths. These wreaths look adorable tied to gifts or hanging on your tree.

According to startling figures, six million Christmas trees are thrown away each year, with 250 tonnes of trees dumped after the holidays. The good news is that you don’t have to toss your tree in the trash as soon as January arrives; there are plenty of innovative ways to make it last longer.

Take a look at some of the things you can do with your Christmas tree after the holidays are over…

1. Use the branches to make a bird feeder in your garden

Cut off the branches, cover them in butter or margarine and then roll them in bird seeds. Grab some brown string and hang the branch in your garden. It won’t be long before you see plenty of tweeting birds stopping by for a tasty treat.

2. Cut the trunk into small round pieces to use in your garden

Why not upgrade your garden space with a creative touch and give your Christmas tree trunks a new purpose? Simply cut the trunks into small circles and use them as an edge around your garden. If you’re feeling a bit more creative, you can even sand down the trunks into small circles, cover them with polish and turn them cleverly into coasters.

3. Use the pine needles to make fragrant sachets

Cling onto the scent of Christmas for that little bit longer by popping the pine needles into small fabric bags. You can make these easily yourself by reusing any leftover fabrics at home and stitching some velvet ribbon around the top to make a little tie. Once you’ve done that, simply pop in the pine needles and tighten shut. We recommend placing them at the back of your wardrobe or drawers for a fresh, winter scent. Brilliant to gift to friends, too.

4. Use the branches to make a wreath

Wreaths can be beautifully hung on your front door all round, not simply just at Christmas. Making your branches into a wreath is a wonderful way to repurpose your tree — and get creative in January. You’ll need binding wire, scissors, additional flowers (if you’d like to put them on) and craft foam, to make the wreath last longer.

5. Donate your Christmas tree

Many local Boy Scouts collect real Christmas trees as part of fundraising projects. Why not donate yours to help those who are giving them a second chance. “Many councils offer special Christmas treecycling services and so I’d urge local people to find out what schemes are running in their area,” Marcus Jones, Local Government Minister explains, urging people to not throw their trees away.

6. Re-plant it in the garden

One of the easiest things for us to do — given we have the garden space — is to replant our trees outside. Nurture it well and you might just be able to bring it back indoors for Christmas next year. With millions of trees thrown away at the end of each festive season, replanting them is something great you can do to help the environment at this time of year.

7. Use it as compost

Put your Christmas tree needles to good use by adding them to your compost heap. Make sure to only use a small amount, as rubbery needles can take a long time to break down. As well as the needles, you can also put the whole Christmas tree on the compost, as long as you cut it down into small pieces first.

8. Use it as an animal habitat

A British winter can be tough on animals. If you’re not sure what to do with your real Christmas tree after the festivities, consider placing it in a sheltered spot in the garden for creatures to nestle in. Wild animals have many different ways to survive plummeting temperatures, but your old tree can help provide additional warmth.

You can also…

• Chop it up to use for firewood

• Add a few pine needles to your favourite warming winter dishes

Here are our five top tips for choosing the right style of gift for even the most particular giftee. 

1. Ask what they want

You will probably ask someone what they want before buying them a gift. According to Andy Luttrell, a neuroscience researcher working at Ball State University says that people tend to appreciate gifts more when it is something they explicitly asked for, compared to when it was something that the donor came up with.

According to the expert, gifts often assume that recipients will not care one way or another. However, it is better to ask people directly what they want. “Don’t assume you can find something good on your own,” warns Luttrell.

If you are the recipient of the gift in this scenario, ask for one thing. Don’t give anyone a complete list of things they might want. Put only one thing on your wish list.

2. Difference between recipient-centered gifts and donor-centered gifts

There is another distinction to be made when giving gifts, and it is between recipient-centered gifts and donor-centered gifts. The first is the kind of thing that expresses something about the person you are giving the gift to. Something that says, “I know you and I know what you like.”

On the flip side, donor-focused gifts are things that express something about you. If you buy someone your favorite book for Christmas, that would be a gift to focus on the donor when trying to give yourself to others.

Also read: Tips to Stick to Your Holiday Budget

“When you ask people to express what kind of gift they prefer, they often say that the gifts are focused on the recipient. Those feel more special because after all, you thought of them, ”says the researcher.

Donor-centered gifts strengthen relationships and bring people together. Form a unique connection. Think of something about yourself that you can share with another person without being selfish. Make that gift that expresses something about you.

3. Don’t over individualize gifts

People feel compelled to choose unique gifts. A larger selection can result in worse gifts. If you want to stick to your Christmas budget, the expert says that giving the same gift to several people is acceptable.

Sometimes you may feel uncomfortable giving them, but your loved ones will love receiving them. Cash, for example, is an acceptable gift, but spouses are an exception. Gift cards are an easy way to please. However, keep in mind that specific gift cards are less likely to be used.

You don’t need to give everyone something special. Sometimes when families have too many members, it becomes a bit stressful to impress everyone with a unique and expensive gift. You don’t need to be embarrassed about not getting an overwhelming reaction.

Lastly, make sure that what you are giving is well received and makes the recipient happy. The most exciting moment under the Christmas tree is spending time with the people you love and appreciate the most; that’s what really has no tangible value.

Once you know what you’re doing, it’s easier than you’d think and could save you from buying a new one every year. A natural tree is a stunning sight on Christmas Day – so it seems a shame for it to end up on the curb on the twelfth night.

Christmas trees can be planted in your backyard; you can even keep it illuminated from there if you’ve got one of the best outdoor smart plugs. Then, once the year is up, you can move it back indoors again for the holidays. Real Christmas trees are arguably more sustainable than fake ones too, especially if you get into the habit of reusing them. Here’s how to grow a Christmas tree.

How to grow a Christmas tree

1. First of all, if you’re buying a new Christmas tree which you want to reuse.

Make sure it’s potted with a root ball. Cut trees will no longer have the roots and will effectively be dead.

2. When choosing your potted tree, opt for container-grown, rather than containerized.

The difference between the two is that container-grown trees will have been grown in the container, while containerized will have been dug up, and placed in a container for sale. Container-grown trees have a better survival rate and will be stronger and healthier, as it’s not been displaced so much. These will also be easier to remove from the pot without damaging the roots.

3. Potted trees may be smaller than cut (usually about 3-5 feet)

But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you want to keep growing it and use it again next year. Bear in mind that if you successfully plant it, it will keep growing.

4. Living trees should also be kept indoors for as short a time as possible.

Ideally, you want to bring it in on the weekend before Christmas, and you don’t want to keep it in for any longer than 10 days, before moving it outside again. Although, this will depend on the size and strength of your tree — if you notice it’s struggling, move it outside. You can acclimatize your tree when moving it from outside to in and vice versa using your garage or basement if you live in extreme weather conditions.

5. Check the soil in the pot daily to make sure it’s not drying out.

The container should also have good drainage; you can place a saucer underneath to catch the excess. You also don’t want to place your tree too close to a heat source, such as a fireplace or radiator, as this can dry it out. You can spritz the branches with water to help keep it moist — although don’t do this once the lights are up!

6. When it comes to planting the tree in your backyard after Christmas, you have a couple of options:

You can remove it from the pot and plant it straight into the soil. If you choose to do this, do so on a day when the soil isn’t frozen, and make sure the root ball is buried at the same depth as it is in the pot. Be sure to stake it until it’s established and water it regularly.

This method will give it a good chance for survival, but the roots will likely flourish and spread to the point that it will be difficult to dig up next year without damaging them — which means you won’t be able to plant it again. This won’t limit the growth of your tree either, so it could be difficult to move by next Christmas.

You can alternatively move your tree to a bigger container, which gives the tree room to grow, while limiting the spreading of the roots. This is the best option if you plan to bring it in again next year, but does mean it will need more attention in terms of watering and care.

7. When deciding where to place your tree outside

Find a spot which is sheltered and out of direct sunlight in the summer.

8. Keep an eye on your tree throughout the year

Watering it when needed and pruning away any dead branches and to make sure it retains the shape you want. The good news is these trees are fairly hardy once established, and won’t need much maintenance.

9. When Christmas comes around again

You can simply repeat the process with your recycled tree. Either bring the pot indoors, or carefully dig up your tree to pot it and bring it in.

You should be able to reuse a tree for at least another Christmas depending on its size. If it becomes too big to move, remember you can always decorate it in the garden using some of the best solar lights.

CREDIT: JAY WILDE

1. Deck the halls with fresh greenery.

Nothing says Christmas quite like boughs of fresh-cut greenery. Incorporate fragrant foliage into your holiday decor to add organic texture and straight-from-the-forest fragrance. Layer a cedar garland atop your mantel, embellish gift packages with sprigs of spruce, or arrange evergreen boughs down the center of your dining table for an easy winter centerpiece.

2. Light a candle.

One of the easiest ways to make your home smell like Christmas is to light a scented candle. Whether you prefer an earthy fragrance or the aroma of freshly baked treats, there are so many lovely winter candles to choose from. Light one (or perhaps a few!) to create a cozy atmosphere.

3. Blend seasonal essential oils.

Essential oils are a natural way to make your home smell amazing, and certain blends are perfectly suited for winter. Mix oils like myrrh, cypress, sweet juniper berry, cinnamon bark, and tangy wild orange to evoke festive feelings. Fill up a spray bottle with distilled water and a few drops of your favorite oils to use as a room spray or add the winter blend to your essential oil diffuser to create a holiday-inspired aromatherapy experience.

4. Make pomander balls.

Poke whole cloves into oranges to create pomanders that give off an enticing holiday aroma. This DIY Christmas craft is easy enough to do with kids, and you can get as detailed as you’d like with the clove designs. Hang pomander balls on your Christmas tree as ornaments, tuck them among garland on your mantel or gather a few in a nature-inspired arrangement for your holiday table.

5. Bake a holiday treat.

Who can resist the enticing aromas of freshly baked goodies? Before guests come over, pop a holiday pie into the oven or whip up a batch of your favorite Christmas cookies. Whiffs of sweet treats will greet visitors at the door, and, even better, you’ll have a delicious homemade dessert to share later!

6. Heat up a holiday simmer pot.

A pot of water and a few items from your pantry are all you need to create a simmering source of Christmassy smells. Simply add your favorite holiday ingredients (such as apple slices, cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract, and cloves) to a saucepan of water and simmer on low heat, adding more water periodically as it evaporates. This stovetop potpourri can also be made in a slow cooker.

7. Craft a dried-fruit wreath.

Dehydrate grapefruits, oranges, lemons, and limes to use in a fruity citrus wreath. Dust the dried fruit with fine glitter for a sparkly touch, then attach the slices to a foam wreath form with straight pins. Mount the wreath above your fireplace to infuse the room with a fresh citrus scent.

8. Swap out hand soaps.

Another quick way to immerse your home in seasonal charm: Swap out everyday hand soap for a holiday variety. Choose one that smells of peppermint candy or a freshly cut pine tree for a burst of Christmas cheer every time you wash your hands.

9. Make your own herbal potpourri.

Mix essential oils into dried flowers, leaves, and greenery to create a custom potpourri blend. Pour your homemade filler into vases and decorative bowls throughout your home to spread a subtle seasonal scent.