Deck the halls in homemade style this holiday season with homemade Christmas decorations, and while we love our kids' popsicle stick crafts (we really love them!), we think it's time for the adults to show the kids what they're made of.
We have some ideas that are super easy, yet will reflect a sophisticated vibe in your home. Don't get us wrong, we always welcome the kids' help, but this time, mom is taking the lead. From snow globes to pomanders, these unique DIYs are sure to bring a wow factor to any space and wow your holiday guests. We won't be surprised if you ask us to help you decorate your home next holiday season with these fun DIY creations that will make even Santa's elves jealous.
Hand drawn gift wrapping
Allison Gootee
“When you give a gift with handmade wrapping, you're giving a piece of yourself,” says designer Julie Neal, who paints her own wrapping every Christmas. She suggests decorating the wrapping to reflect your personal style. For a more whimsical look, spritz the paper with paint while it's still wet, or lift and tilt the paper to spread the colors. “This will help the paint spread across the paper, creating a marbled effect,” she says. Once dry, you can layer in small designs like swirls and stars with colored pencils, or go for more intricate designs with gold leaf, metallic paint, and glitter.
Pomander Tree
Hector Manuel Sanchez Styling: Christina Brockman
Nothing adds elegance to a space like a fresh citrus scent. If you're looking for a DIY with great results, you'll love these homemade pomanders. After using them to keep your clothes and linens smelling fresh, these ornaments will add to your holiday spirit. Use a toothpick to poke holes in the shape of your design (draw or freehand your design) into the orange and press in whole cloves. Set aside to dry and then let your imagination run wild. Arrange your mini trees by gluing plastic cone bases (available at your local craft store or on Amazon) to a cardboard circle that's 2 inches wider than the cone. Slide each pomander halfway up a toothpick and insert the toothpick into the tree from the bottom. Apply hot glue to strengthen the orange-to-foam connection.
Book Christmas Tree
Robbie Caponet
We love the idea of recycling old books and turning them into new, elegant crafts. Use your old paperbacks to create something the whole family will love. Decorate this tree in a sturdy spot in your favorite reading corner.
Pine Cone Julep
Robbie Caponet, Design: Kathleen Varner
While a delicious mint julep is great during horse racing season, the cups can be used year-round. Just go to your garden and pick up some pine cones or tree stumps and place them in a polished cup. Here, we've added holly berries and magnolia leaves to create a distinctively Southern centerpiece that will look great on any bar cart or table.
Mason Jar Snow Globe
Photo: Becky Luigert Stayner
Who says mason jars are only made for summer canning? This little winter wonderland is the simple statement your side table needs, and assembly is easier than you think. Use glue to attach one or two ornaments to the inside of the jar lid. Allow to dry for approximately 24 hours. Fill the jar with enough water to completely cover the ornaments, then add 3-5 drops of glycerin and your desired amount of glitter. Use glue to attach the lid to the metal screw band on the jar. Allow to dry. Apply glue to the inside rim of the lid and screw it onto the jar. Once your mason jar is completely dry, you're ready to place this side table dazzling piece in its proper place.
Blue and white display
Hector Manuel Sanchez, Styling: Taylor Colson Houghton
Ginger jar-style decor makes a great base for a smaller Christmas tree, and adding some blue spruce in a chinoiserie-style pot with battery-operated lights creates an enchanting display that's sure to charm any millennial.
Sparkling Cranberry
Melina Hammer, Styling: Buffy Hargett
Sometimes holiday decorations can be delicious, too. Candied cranberries are a little different from your typical decor, but they're sure to add a festive touch to your seasonal celebrations. These sweet decorations can be made up to 2 days before your holiday party and used to garnish cakes and cookies, or to place next to baked brie. No matter how you use these sparkling gems, they're sure to wow your guests.
Garnish with dried orange
Hector Manuel Sanchez, Styling: Taylor Colson Houghton
There's nothing more beautiful than appreciating the bounty of the season and turning it into a cherished tradition. Dried oranges have become all the rage in recent years as Southerners decorate their gifts and cocktails with this colorful winter fruit. Why not incorporate the combination of fresh pine and sweet citrus into your Christmas tree? To make this ornament, dry orange slices in the oven and pierce the orange with a decorative hook.
Christmas Trifle Arrangement
Photo by Robbie Caponetto
You may have fond memories of transforming your grandma's favorite trifle or hurricane dish into an arrangement, and now it's time to carry on that tradition. Layer with limes, oranges, holly berries, and fresh green leaves for the easiest DIY on this list.
Decorative cluster
Photo: Monica Buck
A simple trick for big impact is to tie a small ornament with fishing line or twine, then add this new larger ornament to your tree or make it part of your new centerpiece.
Fresh Lemon Garland
Photography: Laurie W. Glenn, Styling: Heather Chaddock Hillegas and Buffy Hargett Miller
This year, complement the greenery above your mantel with some bright citrus plants – an easy DIY that will freshen up your display and wow your holiday guests.
tie a ribbon on the coffee table
Laurie W. Glenn
Why limit Christmas wrapping to presents? Wrap your presents in your favorite ribbon and crisscross the sides and top of your coffee table. Here, we've used muted tones for a festive look without being overly flashy, but we've taken this trick to a new level by using different textures and unexpected colors.
Snowy pine cone wreath
Laurie W. Glenn
A snowy pine cone wreath is a DIY project that you and your family can enjoy for decades to come. To make this wreath, you'll need a snowy imagination and some strong glue, or you can follow our step-by-step guide.
Tree decorated with ribbons
Photo by Robbie Caponetto
Brightly colored ribbons look amazing against a green background. This easy DIY will transform an ordinary Christmas tree into an eye-catching piece. Simply wrap the ribbon around an embroidery hoop and place it at the top of your tree.
Magnolia Expands
Laurie W. Glenn
It's no secret that we have a soft spot for magnolias, and this is a unique way to incorporate fallen leaves into your Christmas traditions. Magnolia trees can be a sparkling part of your indoor and outdoor decor.
Petit Lease
Robbie Caponet, Design: Kathleen Varner
When the holidays come around, you want to fill every nook and cranny with seasonal flair. This little wreath will add a splash of green to any table setting, coffee table, or side table this season. To create this do-it-yourself treasure, create a circle with florist's wire (you may want to bend the wire to keep it secure) and add rosemary, pine, or cypress sprigs with all the needles pointing in the same direction. Then attach the green leaves with florist's tape and finish off your miniature masterpiece with ribbon.