12 Festive Ideas
Spice Up the Holidays with these Stellar Goof-Proof Looks
Getting together with family and friends is a big part of the holiday season. Here are some simple ideas to help you freshen up your festive décor. They’re easy to do; inexpensive to put together, and better still, there’s more than enough for you to use next year.
1. Orchid Delight: Submerge an orchid stem in an unadorned long vase. It’s a simple, timeless and sleek design that works for any occasion. It also lasts for about a week.
2. Orange You Glad: Fill a large shallow bowl with clementines, and fir cuttings (lemons and apples work well too). Finally add a few pinecones for texture.
3. Commands Attention: Set the scene using a grouping of candles of various sizes. Place it on a small-framed mirror with clear crystal beads for added sparkle. Lit candles instead of a burning firewood in the fireplace also look great.
4. A Frozen Solid Idea: Create a fabulous candleholder using tap water and a few cuttings from your own backyard. Use two different sized containers, layer water and cuttings. Freeze in sections.
5. A Crafty Apple: Not only does this make a charming table topper but it is a great craft to do with your kids. All you need are apples, icing sugar, glue and “dollar store” paint brushes. Make a design (i.e. snowflake), sprinkle it with sugar and then place it in a basket.
6. A Clear Choice: Take clear cellophane and scrunch it in a tall plain vase and just add water and a floating candle. The vase design transformation is immediate and the result exudes satisfaction.
7. Light Up Your Life: It’s never been easier to set an evening glow than by filling a container with pinecones and using battery operated lights. Place it in the middle of a table and wow your guests.
8. Wrapping Up: Be original and wrap your gifts with flair. You can use leftover wall paper, a plain brown paper bag adorned with an ornament, inexpensive tissue, and cellophane. Have fun with it.
9. Pick Up Sticks: Bread sticks tied with colourful ribbons make a tasty nametag impression.
10. Fruit For Thought: Fill a vase with lemons, oranges or limes and sprinkle cranberries in it too. Fill with water and place a couple of stem flowers.
11. Simply Cranberries: Fill glass vases with water and frozen cranberries. Run the display horizontally across the entire centre of the table.
12. Red Runner: Buy yards of red felt material and make yourself custom place mats or a table runner. Swag 12” (inch) strips or red on the backs of your dining chairs. Felt comes in a variety of colours and is just a few dollars a yard.
About Belinda Albo
Belinda Albo is a professional interior designer who currently teaches a variety of home decorating courses and workshops to budget conscious homeowners. Belinda runs a successful design firm out of Toronto and Winnipeg. The Planners have been featured in Canadian House and Home, Western Living, the Costco Connection, Canadian Living and CityLine. She is the author of the Hands On Home Planner series as well as the design editor of the popular magazine, the Home Advisor. www.thehomeadvisor.ca