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Holiday Craft Ideas

Holiday Decorating

It's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed as the holiday season approaches and our thoughts turn to decorating. We're so bombarded by ideas in glitzy magazines and books and on TV that it's easy to feel intimidated and unsure of our own tastes. . Creating a look shouldn't create anxiety. A clear plan will enable you to avoid decoration frustration so you can celebrate without being frazzled, and enjoy the event in satisfying, joyous surroundings. Here are some ideas that can make your preparations easy, enjoyable and efficient:

Choose Your Holiday Colors

Look at those books and TV shows, as well as in the stores and see what you're drawn to. If it doesn't attract you, don't choose a color scheme just because it's trendy or available; you'll be living with these colors for weeks and they should contribute to your overall enjoyment and contentment. Decide which rooms you want to decorate and where you'll place the decorations-one designer has a tree in every room (including bathrooms!) in all sizes, each done in a different theme. This way she's able to display nostalgic family pieces while satisfying her taste for other ideas. You should have a list of the pieces on hand and think about how each one fits into your plan. (Don't think you have to use something just because it's there; it can be set aside for another year. Then you're ready to shop for or make needed items such as cards, lawn decorations, ornaments, hangers, stockings, lights, icicles, wreaths, arrangements, ribbons, foliage, figurines, fabrics, etc. If you're crafty and prefer making your own decorations, list all necessary supplies, and watch for coupons and sales at the craft stores. Don't leave the children out of the fun-holiday decorating can continue or establish family traditions for generations.

Should You Hire A Professional? 

Keep in mind that the season brings families and friends together. You want a place that draws them home and fills you with the spirit of the holiday even when you're there alone. If you lack creative juices, or time, or have a schedule that is more demanding during the holidays, consider hiring a designer. You can choose someone simply to assist you in carrying out your plan, or who will take over the entire project-from creating a theme incorporating your tastes and needs, and doing all the shopping to then beautifully decorating your home in just a day or two. This plan frees you from the stress, frenzy, and chaos incurred when you try to decorate while working, meeting family demands, and participating in the season's festivities. You can easily find a good designer through the yellow pages, classifieds, local colleges (instructors can refer you to talented students who will be less expensive), and by referrals from stores where designers routinely shop for wallpaper, paints, furniture, and decorating items.

Creating Cool Holiday Tablescapes

The holiday table can be as important as the tree in your decorating scheme. Here, you can be traditional or whimsical, using expensive items or incorporating things from throughout your house to create a unique design. Whether you plan on eating at home or elsewhere, make the tablescape part of your overall plan. You might decorate with special holiday dinnerware early on, with complementary napkins, placemats, place cards, and centerpieces, or you may wish to continue the colors and central idea used in the rest of the house. You can fill the table with lots of greenery, flowers, ribbons, fruit, and ornaments if you don't plan on eating at the table; otherwise, don't overcrowd your guests. Remember, anything goes for place card holders--from small pine cones, apples, pears, walnut shells, stems, small gift-wrapped boxes with a treat inside, to anything else a glue gun and your creative juices can craft.

Holiday Art

Start your decorating by removing all artwork and knick-knacks from the walls, tables, mantles, and elsewhere that would clutter the holiday look. Replacing them with seasonal ornamentation and artwork contributes to the exhilaration and excitement of the scheme. Since the first impression inside the home is made in the foyer, make sure that nothing here distracts from--or adds a jarring note to--your theme. Often, simply changing the placement of items or furniture can blend your existing pieces into the festive décor. Garlands over mirrors, pictures, or mantles; and ribbons and bows tied on vases, candles, pillows, and figurines can bring them into the season. If you don't have the desire storage space, or money to buy pieces of furniture or artwork you need for only the holidays, look into renting them.

Cleaning Up After the Holiday

Many people dislike dismantling the decorations so much that they'd rather under-decorate. Most of us find it boring, stressful, messy, or simply too time-consuming. But if you accept this as simply another phase of the season and plan it out, as you did for the decorating and partying, it will go faster and easier. Nowadays, you can get inexpensive see-through storage boxes in all sizes and shapes, made specifically (with or without compartments and drawers) for ornaments, lights, wreaths, tree stands, wrappings, linens, and bric-a-brac. A good idea for storing an artificial tree is to leave the lights attached, encase the tree in a large plastic bag (you can easily make one from duct tape and large leaf bags or plastic sheeting), and leave the tree on the stand or suspend it from the attic, closet, or garage ceiling. Don't forget to include this year's additions to your inventory list before storing them away. If you shop the clearance sales, list new purchases in your inventory file and store them with the west or the decorations. Now you have a head start on the coming season!