For the Time Savers
- Candles: Seconds are all it takes to light a candle. Gather a small assortment of candles in creams, reds, and greens, sit them atop a decorative platter and scatter ornaments at the base for a holiday look.
- Candy Canes: Have an empty vase or decorative pot at home? Fill it with candy canes and tie a red velvet bow around the holder for instant yummy décor.
- Ornaments: If you don't want to hassle with hanging ornaments, take the sparkly balls and stars and place them in glass containers for a dazzling display.
- Pinecones: After filling a glass container with pine cones, carefully flip the container onto a plate. Add greenery to the base and viola!
- Pillows: Replace the pillows on your couches and chairs with red and white plaid pillows. Choose ones with holiday words, angels, or stars on them.
- Wreaths: Buy inexpensive wreaths, tie velvet bows to the tops or bottoms, glue pinecones or berries onto the body, and hang on your door, gate, or fireplace.
- Photo Albums/Frames: Take family Christmas pictures of Aunt Judy stringing lights or Uncle Allen drinking eggnog from the carton and place them in a red photo album. Set it on a table, and, along with adding a fresh pop of color to match your holiday décor, you've turned memories into holiday decorations! No photo album? No problem! Swap current pictures in household frames with Christmas pictures.
- Vases: Have a green vase that you never use? Place a ring of pinecones or a small wreath around the bottom. Add branches from your back yard for texture and display.
- Stockings: Use a plain stocking in the house and liven up the cuff with one of your Christmas handkerchiefs or napkins.
- Ribbons: Add ribbons to pottery inside your house and out. Mix and match colors, sizes, and textures. Then, wrap the ribbons around potted plants or doorknobs for a simple yet elegant look.
- Branches: Instead of the traditional wreath or Christmas tree, collect tall branches from the yard and display them in tall clear vases. Use red or clear beads to hold up the branches; leave them bare or add geometric ornaments for a modern touch.
- Colors: Ditch the Christmasy reds and greens and go for a more modern punch: try lime greens, maroons, even chocolate browns and creams. Add gold and silver as accents and you've updated any traditional Christmas room to a modern one.
- Plates: Use square dishes on your table this year with square placements and modernized napkin rings.
