Christmas
Send a special message. Brownstein painted chipboard letters with gold crafts paint and glued a wood skewer, also painted gold, to the back of each one. "They are sitting in glass votive cups filled with salt. The word "miracles" is appropriate, since the story of Hanukkah involves how a small group of soldiers, the Maccabees, defeated the entire Syrian army," she says.
26. Quaint hot cocoa corner. Set up a hot cocoa table for guests. Houzz user stilesquinn used a festive sterling silver tray and old-fashioned candy jars to house hot chocolate mix, marshmallows, and candy canes — a perfect thing to set on the coffee table in your living room before your next big holiday party.
Save to IdeabookEmail Photo 17. Affordable DIY Christmas candle holders. Kristin of Iowa Girl Eats kept her holiday decor affordable, simple and rustic. Mason jars were filled with votive candles, fake berries and spruce, and wrapped in a twine bow. Voila! They're perfect party decorations. Put them on a mantle and light the candles inside when it gets dark. Try using scented votives in vanilla or cinnamon for an extra holiday touch.
Beaded Birch Pillar Candles - $12.50 There's something so gorgeous about birch bark. The subtle sparkle and the beaded pattern on these candleholders step them up a level in elegance. They're absolutely perfect for any holiday tablescape.
Eastern Accents HolidaySave to IdeabookEmail Photo Emerald Coast Tree Skirt Whether gracing a home on the coast or just bringing a touch of the coast to your home, this tree skirt will surely add beachy charm.
TerrainSave to IdeabookEmail Photo Pip Berry Lighted Garland, White - $42 Prettify your mantel (or windowsill) with one of these ingenious branch garlands from Terrain. There are tiny lights at the tips of each of the faux needles, creating a magical ambient glow.
John LewisSave to IdeabookEmail Photo Orrefors Light Shadows Decorative Lightbulb - GBP 23 Decorative white light bulbs against a black wall is such a great idea. I love the designs on these bulbs; they are sure to cast pretty shadows and twinkles into a room.
EtsySave to IdeabookEmail Photo Coffee Stencil, Penguin Adventures by Cosmic Emotions - AUD 18 A mug of hot cocoa or a latte is a nice way to stave off winter's chill. Adding a colony of penguin chicks will warm your spirit as well as your body.
EtsySave to IdeabookEmail Photo Beautiful Windchimes by Irona - $34 Hand-forged from recycled metals, Irona's mini bells make for charming Christmas decor. And as the weather warms, you can also use them as wind chimes.
Christmas Ornament, Big Pendular Folded Books by Paper Statement - EUR 35 Fashioned from recycled books, a grouping of Paper Statement's handmade ornaments is as quietly beautiful as the falling snow.
EtsySave to IdeabookEmail Photo Custom Artisan Candy Canes by Sweet, Sweeter, Sweetest - $65 These homemade candy canes by Sweet, Sweeter, Sweetest can be custom ordered in several flavors and sizes.
TerrainSave to IdeabookEmail Photo Stargazer Lights - $48 Instead of green plastic (which is never the same color as a real tree), Terrain's Stargazer lights have copper wire, making the strand decoration in and of itself.
Save to IdeabookEmail Photo Bring a trendy twist to your seasonal get-together by opting for an ornament-laden centerpiece. Shelley from The House of Smiths used branches, small picture frames, a tray and globe-filled hurricanes to create this conversation starter.
FOCAL POINT STYLINGSave to IdeabookEmail Photo Place ornaments in a bowl for a quick, last-minute centerpiece. Paired with snowflake dishes and purple accents, this table setting brings plenty of holiday cheer without seeming over the top.
Atypical Type ASave to IdeabookEmail Photo If you don't have room to celebrate Christmas with a full-fledged tree, opt for this cute, bite-size one instead. Fill a vase with painted branches, color-coordinated ornaments and some sort of sturdy foundation, like pebbles or rice.
Instead of placing ornaments on a tree, why not make a tree out of ornaments? This clever, adorable craft, courtesy of Amy from Into Vintage, makes great use of clearance-sale ornaments and an old window screen.
Find a Dala horse. The Dala horse, a simple carved wood and often painted horse, began as a toy for children but has become a sort of national symbol for Sweden. The Dala horse is a popular decoration during the winter holidays, finding a place on windowsills and shelves just about anywhere in the home. While not as common in America, they're easily found online — just search for "Dala horse".
Cost Plus World MarketSave to IdeabookEmail Photo Gingerbread Ninja Cookie Kit - $5.99 No, wait. This is my favorite. These have so much more personality than the typical gingerbread cookies!
The Elf on the Shelf Bowl Set - $12 If your kids love the "elf on the shelf" tradition, then they would love these cute bowls.
West ElmSave to IdeabookEmail Photo Glitter Feather - $9 Feathers were a favorite accessory in the '20s. Try adding these glittery feathers to your holiday decorations.
Antique Silver Finial Vintage Mercury Glass Christmas Tree Ornaments - $3.99 Mirror and glass finishes were often used in 1920s decor. These ornaments hung on your tree will add the necessary sparkle for a Jazz Age holiday.
Some Houzzers love to do up their mantels in a glamorous style. Silver, lights and a message of peace adorn Houzz user leswolfe's mantel.
"This is my Peace On Earth mantel, says Houzz member Cindy. "I found the angel wings on Decor Steals and painted and glittered them. I wrote on the mirror with glitter paint and used fresh greens on my mantel. My hubby helped by making a board to place on the mantel to extend its depth."
"Each year we create a new look," says Houzz user fairviewbonnie. "This is our look for 2012!"
Houzz user Cheri likes to keep things simple in her little cottage.
"I live in a 1907 Edwardian home in San Francisco," says Houzz user sharonsf. "In my dining room the theme is snowmen, so the mantel has a good variety of them, plus my collection of incense smokers from Germany. The dining and side table in the dining room are also laden with snowmen."
Dr. Seuss inspired Houzz user kathyjunk. "I'm all Grinchy and Whoville with my decorating — thus my mantel," she says.
A simple sprig of freesia placed on a white napkin makes an understated adornment for your holiday table.
Simple Pastel Tablescape Take a break from the typical green and red color combo, and transition into a calm and soothing palette of pastel pink, soft gray and white. This setting features pretty pastel-hued blooms, shimmery candles and sweet details, bringing a fresh feel to a Christmas or New Year's Eve gathering.
Holly MarderSave to IdeabookEmail Photo 4. Once you have secured the desired number of flower and leaf stems, carefully place the lovely handmade centerpiece on the table for everyone to enjoy. You can also repurpose this after the meal to dress up a console or coffee table. Tip: The centerpiece should last at least a few days, depending how fragile the blooms are. As the blooms start to wither, swap in fresh flowers.
3. As you continue to add flowers and leaves to the branch, you can layer and tuck blooms between the crevices of the branch.
2. Continue attaching flowers, trying where possible to contour the branch with the stems and securing them with pieces of twine.
1. Carefully tie a stem of leaves on the branch with twine. Make sure you have some excess twine so you can tuck it underneath the branch and use it to attach additional greens.
How to Make a Floral and Branch Centerpiece Materials: Dried branch or large twig Leaves Flower stems Twine Scissors I used the branch of a grapevine plus Eucharis, Ornithogalum, Euphorbia and eucalyptus leaves.
Simple white dishes and cutlery are given star treatment with a bit of creativity. Create this simple napkin ring by affixing a name tag with twine to a napkin folded in thirds around your cutlery.
The main feature of this tablescape is the stunning centerpiece. Made from fresh flowers attached with twine to a branch, it can be easily re-created following the instructions below.
Holly MarderSave to IdeabookEmail Photo Rustic Modern Tablescape This fresh take on a rustic tablescape is created through a color palette that marries shades of gray with crisp white, while drawing on wood and natural elements for rustic charm.
Janet PaikSave to IdeabookEmail Photo Westbrook worked closely with the homeowner to select coastal-themed ornaments from Seaside Inspired for this miniature tree elevated on a side table.
The designer glams up the dining area's chandelier for the holidays with glass ornaments and feathers.
Dress up your hot-drink station by adding your own festive touches. Stephanie from Cre8tive Designs uses fake snow, homemade labels, ribbon and mini lights to decorate her apple cider and hot chocolate display. The mini candy cane bowls store extra goodies, like chocolate chips and crushed peppermint.
Silver Rim Glass Hurricane - $79 Pottery Barn has long been known for its refined and timeless pieces, but these new hurricane candleholders truly take the cake. Monogram them to make these hurricanes something everyone in your family will envy.
6. Be intentional about traditions. There is something powerful about traditions that are handed down from generation to generation — even something as simple as trimming the tree can become a time for passing on family history, as the stories behind the ornaments are shared. Some traditions may have once been practiced by your family but stopped for one reason or another, and you may want to reinstate a personal favorite. Other traditions can be stifling and no longer relevant to our lives. In that case, it can feel freeing to let go of the tradition that is no longer serving you.
"We are hosting several holiday gatherings with family and friends," says hjracer. Red and white with touches of green enliven the table.
"I invariably start my living and dining room decoration with setting the dining room table, trying different versions," says Houzz user Michelle. "This will then determine what kind of ambience I will choose for my trees, out of the hundreds of glass, pearl or silver ornaments I have collected over the past 20 years." This theme, used in the past, is "Dreaming of a Blue Christmas."
A log cabin home got musical with its wreath, with a violin in the center hitting just the right note.
Q