During the holidays, I decorate many Christmas trees for myself and clients. Honestly, I do get bored decorating with the same or same kind of decorations year after year. Therefore, I love to challenge myself to come up with new ways to decorate a tree, at least new to me. For a few weeks, I had an idea to strand hundreds of shatterproof ball ornaments together to create an ‘ornament garland.’ Last week, I was able to decorate a pink Christmas tree using this notion and it turned out amazing.
BEFORE
AFTER
This tree looked a little like the one from ‘Charlie Brown.’ However, with a few hundred ornaments, it became a show stopper!
Pink Christmas Tree
Sharing our gifts and talents is one way to spread kindness, but also the holiday spirit. When my friend Dawn, who owns a salon, mentioned not feeling the holiday spirit yet, I knew that I was the one to bring it to her. So, I asked her to pick a color palette and I would do the rest. While I love my blue decorations, I was so excited that she chose silver, pewter grey and blush pink Christmas tree ornaments. It’s feminine and a little edgy!
Again, I like to think outside the box to create something unique. It makes decorating more fun. So, here are a few ideas that you can do, no matter what color you decorate with.
Strand clusters of ornaments to create an over the top garland.
Don’t just hang ornaments on the tree. Push floral wire through the top of bottle brush trees to hang.
Again, hang a few oversized pieces related to your theme on the tree. For instance, disco balls, bells or signs! The oversized look creates a ‘wow factor.’ Floral wire is great for this.
For the base, I wrapped a cardboard box in pink and silver wrapping paper. Then, placed the tree stand inside. Lastly, I tucked tissue paper into the box, under the tree branches, to look like a gift box.
Spray topper is a cluster of floral stems, picks or ‘sprays’ on top of the tree. See more details, here.
DIY Garland
Hang Bottle Brush Trees
Disco Balls
DIY Ornament Garland
400 shatterproof balls (for a 7 foot tree)
20+ large shatterproof balls (optional)
50+ mini shatterproof balls (optional)
floral wire
wire cutters
First, push one ornament through a 3-4 foot section of wire. Then, make a small circle loop about six inches from the end to prevent the ornament from going though.
Next, strand balls onto the section of wire. Be sure to push balls around so that they lay accordingly and leave no gaps. Add in a few large and mini balls to fill in.
Make another small loop with the wire about six inches from the end. Then, use both end sections of the wire to tie onto the underside of the tree branches. Simply, wrap wire onto the branch.
When one strand ends, make another and hang end to end at different angles to create an organic or swag like look. Work in 2-3 foot sections to maintain control.
TIP: When hanging the garland, an extra set of hands is helpful.
FYI: Some balls may pop off from their plastic topper. Simply replace or hot glue back on, if necessary.
Decorator’s Warehouse
Here are a few pink Christmas ornaments from Decorator’s Warehouse in Arlington, Texas. If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, I encourage you to shop in the store as the selection is much wider than online. Plus, there are over 13 fully decorated Christmas trees in many different colors and styles to get inspiration from.
Do you know what to do with Christmas cards that come in every year! Here are four ways that you can creatively display Christmas cards! With simple items like clothespins, flower frogs, or a Santa mailbox, I hope these ideas encourage you to DIY a fun display this year.
How to display Christmas Cards!
Idea 1. Hang as a banner.
For this idea, all you need is cards, clothespins, and any kind of ribbon, jute, or even a string garland. First, I clipped cards to a cute Christmas pom-pom and jingle bell garland. Then, I layered it with another Christmas garland for a fun and festive look. This can be hung on the mantle or across the windows.
Idea 2. Display in flower frogs.
This summer, I found a bag of vintage flower frogs at an antique store for less than $10. I knew immediately that they would make a great display for Christmas cards. If you didn’t know, flower frogs are used to hold stems at the bottom of flower vases. The prongs are great for holding a sheet of paper.
To display them, simply insert the card between the prongs. Next, group them together on shelves with other Christmas decorations. I love the vintage vibes!
Idea 3. Clip to greenery.
Using clothespins, clip cards to greenery garland or wreaths! This is an easy DIY, but it allows you to show off cards from friends and family. Therefore, I love to hang cards above the kitchen sink so I have a nice view when washing dishes.
Idea 4. Stick in the mailbox.
First, find any post box style decorative mailbox, and fill with paper or plastic bags. Then, add cards using tape if necessary to hold in place. Lastly, hang the mailbox on the wall or a wreath.
The ‘Santa Mail’ boxes would be perfect for this. You can find them at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Kirklands or the Findery in Waco, for my local friends. I spray painted this galvanized mailbox years ago, here.
Thank you for checking out this 9th DIY of Christmas, Christmas card displays. Have you seen the rest of the 12 DIYS of Christmas…
This holiday season, I am partnering with HART tools to create a fun DIY wood ornament for your Christmas tree. The best part is that you can make these ornaments in any size or from different types of wood or metal. So, these can hang as ornaments on your tree or a smaller version can serve as gift tags on your packages.
HART power tools work on many types of materials. For instance, you can use a sheet of galvanized metal, weathered wood, or masonite wood panels. I chose to use white beaded plywood, because it has a neat texture that mimics the stripes of treasured vintage ornaments. Plus, it evokes a cottage Christmas feel that I love.
For this DIY project, I am using the HART cordless power tools with a shared rechargeable battery. This includes the HART Reciprocating Saw to cut, the Multitool to sand and distress edges of wood, and the Rotary Tool for fine sanding and cutting a hole as the ornament’s hanger. It’s quick to swap out the battery from one tool to another.
Instructions for DIY Wood Ornaments
Step 1: First, draw or print an ornament template onto paper. Then, cut out the template and trace the ornament shape onto the beaded plywood material.
This template is approximately 8″ x 10.”
Trace shape onto material.
Step 2. Next, cut out the outline of the ornament from the beaded plywood using the HART Reciprocating Saw. When cutting wood, use wood clamps to hold securely in place. Be sure to wear protective goggles when cutting and sanding wood.
Step 3. Sand the edges of the wood ornament using the HART Multitool and 80 grit sandpaper. Then, distress the raised wood trim on the beaded plywood.
Use the Multitool to sand edges.
Then, distress the trim.
Step 4. With the rotary tool and drill bit, pierce a hole near the top center of the ornament. Then, use the sanding attachment to smooth. Lastly, pull a ribbon to through the hole to hang.
Step 5. Hang ornaments on the tree and enjoy!
HART tools are great gifts!
P.S. These HART tools are only available at Walmart and Walmart.com. You can learn more about them by visiting HartTools.com. There are over 300 products from hand tools, lawn/garden, automotive to power tools which will become available in the coming months! The HART power tools that I used for this DIY project will make a great gift for the DIYer, woodworker or home renovator on your gift list. These tools are lightweight, compact and cordless.
Now, save this post to your ‘DIY Christmas’ Pinterest Board by tapping the red ‘pin’ on the top left of this image. Then, follow along all month as I share the 12 DIYs of Christmas, including the 5th DIY, a Home for the HolidaysDIY wood ornament and the 6th DIY Snow Globe Treat Containers! Happy holidays and happy DIYing, y’all!
Today, I am sharing the 6th DIY of the 12 DIYs of Christmas 2019, y’all! This easy Christmas dessert snow globe container is a great gift for teachers, neighbors, friends or favors for kids Christmas parties. The best part is that you can fill them up with any kind of treat. My favorite is white chocolate popcorn, but store bought candies works great too.
DIY Snow Globe Container
The DIY snow globe container cost me about $5 to make with supplies from Dollar General. However, most craft stores like Joann’s or Hobby Lobbywill have these items, too. It only takes about 5 minutes to make! Here’s what you will need…
Supplies:
plastic mason jar style container
clear plastic round ornament
small Christmas figurines like mini trees, snowmen and deer
faux snow
hot glue/glue gun
ribbon
Directions:
Step 1. Take the clear plastic ornament apart (it comes in two halves) and snap off the small hanger. You can see it pictured on the left. You only need one half of the ornament per container.
Step 2. Remove the two parts of the lid. Hot glue 2-3 small figurines onto the flat part of the lid. I like grouping a deer, Santa or snowman next to a tree. Snip the top of the tree with scissors, if necessary to fit under globe.
Step 3. Next, hot glue the fuzzy faux snow onto the lid, around the figurines. If you can not find this exact lid, hot glue the figurines, then faux snow & the round ornament directly onto the lid.
Step 4. Lace ribbon through the holes of the circle lid. Then, replace and hot glue the flat lid inside the circle lid. Lastly, hot glue the round ornament on top of the circle lid.
Step 5. Fill the container with any kind of treat. Then, replace the lid and tie the ribbon on.
Easy Christmas Dessert
In addition, I filled these containers with my family’s favorite white chocolate popcorn treat. It happens to cost about $5 and 5-10 minutes to make 5 cups, too. Find the delicious recipe, here. Basically, you pour melted white chocolate over popcorn, stir, pour onto a cookie sheet, and add your favorite holiday sprinkles and small candies.
I hope you enjoy this 6th holiday inspired DIY in the 12 DIY’s of Christmas. Here are the previous projects shared in the 12 DIYs of Christmas 2019,
Now, tap the red pin on the top left of the picture below to save this blog post to your ‘Christmas Crafts‘ Pinterest Board. I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas 2019, y’all!
Today, I am sharing how I styled an easy Christmas candy tray using a few of our family’s favorite treats and pieces from the Lenox holiday collection. This may be the sweetest DIY that you do this holiday season. By the way, this is the 4th DIY of the 12 DIYs of Christmas.
How to Make a Christmas Candy Tray
First, set out your favorite Christmas tray. I am using a beautiful silver metal platter from the Lenox holiday collection. The pinecones and holly leaf design is perfect for holiday gatherings all season long.
Next, make or buy an assortment of your favorite holiday candies and treats! Include a variety of chocolates, peppermints, gummy candies, cookies and white chocolate covered popcorn and pretzels.
Its as easy as 1, 2, 3
Step 1. Use decorative bowls to hold small candies like gummy bears, m&m’s, cherry sours or Red Hots. If necessary, use small pedestals to add height. Begin by placing the largest bowl on the tray, maybe off center. Then, add smaller bowls around it on the tray.
Step 2. Next, place larger individual treats like cookies, peppermint sticks, licorice and chocolate reindeer onto the tray.
Step 3. Last, fill in with bite size treats like mints or white chocolate popcorn (my recipe is here).
1. Place small candies in decorative bowls.
2. Add larger treats & cookies.
3. Fill in with bite size candies.
Dessert for Dinner
As my kids get older and outgrow certain traditions with sneaky elves and stories of Santa Claus, it has been hard to keep the excitement of Christmas alive. Therefore, I thought it would be fun, and really unexpected to initiate a new a new Christmas tradition… ‘dessert for dinner!’ Of course, we had a meal afterwards, but it was still fun to enjoy dessert first!
Paper accents for the table are from Hester and Cook, including the paper Santa placemats and Christmas tree place cards. They are so fun and festive for holiday tablescapes.
Old and new traditions are what bring families together! This was a wonderful feast, y’all!
The 12 DIYs of Christmas
I hope you enjoy this 4th holiday inspired DIY in the 12 DIY’s of Christmas. If you missed the first days of the 12 DIYs of Christmas, you can see how I made a set of berry garland napkin rings for $1, here, a countdown calendar here, and a DIY snow globe lamp, here.
Save this to your Christmas Dessert Pinterest Board by tapping the red pin in the top left of this pic!
