| 1. Wrap pictures on walls like they were packages, with bows and tags: Leave a portion unwrapped in the back so you can re-hang it on the same nail.
2. Replace photos of family and vacations with Holiday cards in those frames: Pick a theme for best results: Santas, angels, snowmen, religious, or Chrismas trees. Be sure to group 3-5 frames to make a statement on your mantle or tables.
3. Rock Salt mimics snow and ice around snow houses for a winter scene. Sprinkle and mound it in heaps down the table to bury Santa’s, snowmen, and candles for a realistic snow scene.
4. Elevate and vary heights on your table for interest. Consider using all those old Christmas cookie tins, stacked and leaning on each other, as a centerpiece. Further the cookie theme with cookie cutters and cookies. These tins, decorated packages, or footed cake plates can raise your candles and festive foods for drama.
5. Kids can help decorate your pillar candles with colorful ribbons. Pin or glue various widths of ribbons (stacked on each other) around the candles and add a bow or poinsettia for the finishing touch.
6. Children will also love making napkin rings. Use an empty paper towel tube as the base and glue on wrapping paper. Let dry completely and have mom or dad cut it into 1_” wide rings. Use a utility knife or electric bread knife for best results. This width will provide 7 rings or 8 if 1_” wide. Finish with a ribbon bow. 7. Ornament placecards make a wonderful take-home gift, personalized with your guest’s names.
Just use glass or plastic balls and write each guest’s name with a silver or gold Sharpie permanent pen. Tie a big bow on each ornament and place it at the table as a surprise! You might want to write all the guests names on every ball with the date, so your dinner will be remembered each year when hung on their trees.
8. Wrap your Chairs with simple triangles of fabric. A stretch knit or velour fabric works best. If the fabric is 54”, then measure out 54” length for a square and cut diagonally for two triangles. For 60” fabric, measure 60” length etc. Knit fabric needs no hemming or sewing. To apply to your chairs, put the point down the back of the chair and fold about 5” over the chair back. Now either cross the ends over each other in the front and bring to the back to tie OR just bring the two ends around the back to tie in a knot or bow. This works well in a variety of fabrics for each season!
9. Pillow Covers in seasonal prints are easy to sew like a pillowcase (3 sides) to slip over your accent pillows for the Holidays. Measure your pillows, allow about _” all around for a seam and cut. Turn right sides together and stitch 3 sides. Easy!
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