Minty-Fresh Tray Place a new spin on classic holiday candy using a starlight mint serving tray. To make, just lay peppermints side-by-side onto a cookie sheet then stick into a warm oven before the mints have evenly melted. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside to allow the candy to fully cool. Once dry, the shiny, slick surface is perfect for laying out cheese and crackers or for holding cocktails.
Cozy Up By the (Artificial) Fire No mantel? No worries -- Santa will be sure to stuff your stockings when they are hanging out of this smart faux-mantel wall hanging made from a drop cloth, drapery hardware and chalkboard paint.
Take It From the Top Add midcentury-modern flair into your tree using a Sputnik-inspired tree topper. All you will need are our complete instructions (below), wooden dowels, a foam floral sphere and spray paint.
Merry, Merry Menswear Menswear stockings are a great way to add a tailored touch to your decor. To get the look, try a no-sew approach utilizing iron-on adhesive tape, scissors and old sleeves or dress shirts. Those less inclined to handle this as a job can fall old shirts and sweaters off at their regional dry cleaner or seamstress and get it done for a low price.
Joy to the Map of Earth Go the extra mile this holiday season with your gift wrapping. Instead of grabbing a roll of seasonal newspaper, use a classic road or traveling map. For a personal touch, centre the most significant city, country or continent in addition to the box for a nod to a loved one's favorite vacation destination or hometown.
Tannenbaum With a Twist Add midcentury-modern flair to your house with a geometric tree portable that's affordable and easy to create. To make, catch some green poster board, twine and scissors. Concentric triangles out of this poster board then string them together. This is a good alternative for small space- or apartment-dwellers who do not have sufficient space for a genuine tree; they can just hang the mobile at a corner or over a desk, then pile gifts below.
Seasonal Stencils Instead of typical ball-shaped decorations, provide your tree compact, graphic effect by stringing metal stencils in the hardware store on twine. Produce a similar look with cardboard stencils by hitting a hole through the top, then hanging with twine.
Hit the Jackpot With a Kitschy Wreath Get creative to craft an out-of-the-ordinary wreath that's sure to be the talk of the area. Cover a foam wreath form with layers of playing cards, adding mounting tape between each coating for a three-dimensional impact. For extra color, attach red and green poker chips in one corner to resemble a sprig of holly.
Move Streamlined and Sculptural Create a contemporary, minimal interpretation of a Christmas tree with all-purpose cable from the hardware store. Simply wrap the cable around a foam floral cone tightly or loosely as desired. Slide the cone out and -- kazam! -- instant tree sculptures. Group several together for a fast and easy centerpiece for your dining table, mantel or foyer.
Ombre Gift Tags Turn leftover paint chips into colorful gift tags by cutting them into tree silhouettes using scissors. Finish the look by adding each recipients' name with stamps or a permanent markers.
All Puzzled Out Conversation-starters would be the ideal method to get a holiday meal moving. Re-invent puzzle bits as snowflake napkin holders by gluing several pieces together, then attaching to fundamental rings with twine or hot glue.
Try a New Hue Forgo the traditional red-and-green holiday palette and opt for bold, sophisticated colours this year. For a dramatic look, spray-paint old ornaments in fashion-forward colours like bronze, purple and brown then show your handiwork within an multi-colored tree.
The Name Game Who says present tags should not be just as much pleasure as the gift they're attached to? Hot-glue wooden game tiles or kids' wood cubes to twine to create gift tags that may double as decorations.
Ring Around the Cocktail Place a year's holiday cards to good use because this year's cocktail mark. Use scissors to trim circular shapes from cards, focusing on regions with lots of color or an attractive design element, then cut a small hole in the centre for the glass stem and a slit so guests can quickly slide the markers off and on. Vary the markers' colors and patterns so that guests can quickly tell which glass is theirs.
Go Retro Fans of midcentury-modern design will adore this table setting that proves you can not go wrong with classic colour combos. Robin's-egg blue, cherry red and white was a favorite palette in the '50s and, paired with a lively, vintage tablecloth, it looks just as fresh today.
Clothespins Paint = Beautiful Snowflakes In just a few steps, turn wooden clothespins into oversized snowflake tree decorations. This is a great project for older children to undertake on their own or for small kids with a little help from a crafty adult.
Moose on the Loose A sculptural resin or ceramic mount provides a playful twist to any area. For the holidays, select a creature we typically associate with snowy weather, such as reindeer, caribou or moose.
Old Bulbs for the New Year Reinvent old light bulbs as tree decorations by spray-painting them with metallic paint, then group together in clusters with ribbon. Smaller light bulbs work best grouped in odd numbers, while bigger lightbulbs are greatest as solitary decorations.
Souvenir Tree Garland Do not toss old Christmas cards. Rather, cut them into circles and then glue onto twine to put in a sentimental touch to your Christmas tree. Best of all, you can begin your garland little and put in onto it each year.
No comments:
Post a Comment