20 Favourite Christmas Decorating Ideas...

Nature:
1) Use small trees that can be planted outdoors after the holidays.

2) Bring the beauty of the season inside by using natural materials. Try boxwood, pinecones and evergreen boughs.

3) Invest in fresh flowers. Red or white roses, poinsettias, even carnations, can make stunning, simple decorative touches.

4) Use nature for inspiration. I love the snowflake theme and hand-cut paper snowflakes are easy, charming & kid-friendly. If you’ve forgotten, see http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/snowflake-decorations#slide_2 for a demonstration on how to make them.

5) Take a walk in a near-by park. While there, pick some beautiful dried grasses & bring them home. Place them in a seasonal vase.

Handmade:
6) Combine social function & gift-giving -- have a cookie swap party. Everyone makes their favourite cookies & exchanges dozens.

7) Hang the sugar cookies or gingerbread on the tree afterwords.

8) Purchase decor from local crafts-people and artisans. I love Pilo, http://www.pilo.ca/products.php?cat=5 who shows each year at the Toronto One-of-a-Kind show and sale.

9) Use your computer! Find or make printable tags, place holders, calendars and even ornaments. http:/www.Etsy.com is a good source for well-priced printable pdfs.

10) Two beautiful artsy ideas:
Use canvas or paper to punch out a pattern and put a light source behind your creation to cast interesting shadows. See http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/glow-and-behold#slide_4 for an example.
Create your own ornaments from scraps and findings. See Dresden Victorian creations http://www.victorianornaments.com/Make%20Ornament.html for an example.

Eco-Conscious:
11) Have fun with retro ornaments. Bring childhood favourites and hand-me-downs out of hiding.

12) Use tissue paper, reusable containers, leftover fabric, burlap, kraft paper and/or raffia for wrapping & decorating.

13) Think unusual for displays: cake-stands, china, chandelier prisms and collectables can all make beautiful decorations.

14) If you have a fireplace, it can make the best Christmasy focal point and warm the house up too!

15) Save the most gorgeous Christmas cards you receive and use in your decor.

Sweet & Simple:
16) I love white candles in gold candlesticks.

17) Ribbon used in inventive ways can dress almost anything up!

18) Sometimes a single lovely ornament, hung from a stand or placed in a dish is all you need.

19) Cosy throws, pillows or sheepskin add a warm, seasonal note.

20) Choose a colour theme (doesn’t have to be traditional) & use it throughout the season for decorating, wrapping and cards.