12 Christmas Decorating Ideas
As we approach Christmas, everyone's looking for their Christmas decorations and new Christmas decorating ideas. It's such a wonderful time of year, a magical season where thoughts of peace on earth, kind feelings and laughter abound. Let's look at some ideas to kindle your creative side.
- Going to a production of the Nutcracker Suite is a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Many theaters in large cities sell unusual, Nutcracker-themed Christmas decorations in their gift shop.
- Go to the mall, right after Thanksgiving. Their lavish displays can help inspire you with new ideas for Christmas decorations.
- Baking cookies can do double duty if you set aside a portion of the batch to make into ornaments. Use a pencil to poke a hole for ribbon hanging before baking. Cookies and Christmas decorations in one fun activity.
- Bake a gingerbread house. There are many recipes and patterns available in magazines. Use a variety of small candies, candy canes, gel icing, frosting and other edibles. String popcorn to use as “lights” for roof edging.
- Outside lighting is one of my favorite Christmas decoration projects. If you have a porch or balcony, try weaving strings of lights around railings. Trees can be transformed into living Christmas decorations. There's no reason a potted plant on your balcony cannot be given the same treatment.
- If your apartment is on the fourth floor, and you have no porch or balcony, hang lights with protected wire tacks to dress your windows from the inside. Very pretty!
- Many communities have whole neighborhoods participating in blocks of Christmas decorations and light displays. Visit one for inspiration if you have the opportunity. Kids love them.
- The Nativity is one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations. An oval-shaped mirror placed beneath brings this display to life. Think of places in your home where this might be shown to best advantage. A buffet, coffee table, mantel or entry hall are good locations.
- Make a wreath. Make garlands. String cranberries and popcorn into garlands for the Christmas tree. Explore the dried flower aisles of a craft store. You'll find many combinations of colors and textures to make festive vase displays in each room of your home.
- Poinsettia and Christmas cactus plants make beautiful Christmas decorations. If you take good care of them, they last for years.
- Craft stores carry many types of wreath bases, and more Christmas decorations than you can shake a stick at! Many craft stores have handouts with pictures and instructions of Christmas decorations you can make with their products.
- Spread the joy! Time to get busy, now.