10 DIY Christmas Ideas (It’s Not Too Late!)

From my column at the Washington Times Communities

WASHINGTON DC, December 21, 2012- If you haven’t done it all for Christmas yet, don’t fret. There’s still time to for that perfect gift or the perfect touch for your holiday party. All of the links that follow lead to tutorials or pictures of easy crafts and inspiration for your perfect holiday.

1. Wreaths:

Canvas Layers Holiday Wreath by Alisa Burke

It’s not too late to make your own holiday wreath from materials you may already have around the house. There are several ideas to try, depending on what you may have on hand. There are several wreath ideas with spare buttons. You can also make a wreath with several kinds of plants other than the traditional pine. These include magnolia leaves, rosemary, ferns, pepperberries, mistletoe, moss, pinecones, poinsettias, laurel leaves, and almost any other plant you can find. There are also wreaths that you can make from small gift boxes, bells, ornament balls, cranberries, wine corks, Christmas cards, gingerbread men, colored pencils, old dress ties, and cookie cutters.

2. Ornaments

crochet garland from maryjane’sfarm

An ornament can be a nice personal addition to any tree. They can even become a tradition, with a different theme every year. You can give one out to each member of your family or make one for each one of your holiday guests. Ornaments can be made from buttons; old comics, books, or newspapers; twigs; and twine. Ornaments can also be made from old light bulbs, toilet paper rolls, and old tea cups and CDs. If you can crochet or knit, there are beautiful ideas for ornaments and garlands. Got an incomplete scrabble set? Make beautiful ornaments with the tiles!

3. Trees

Shelf Tree on buzzfeed.com

If you haven’t put up a tree or want to put up a second or third tree in another room, here are some fantastic ideas. Family pictures can be cut into circles or stars and put on the wall in the shape of a Christmas tree with antlers or a star on top. This can be an especially good way to include family that is far away during the holidays. Trees of all sizes can be made from firewood, spare pieces of carpet, and paper plates. For those who don’t mind a little sewing, you can make a tree with wire hangers and a little fabric. For those interested in re-using materials, several websites have tutorials on making trees from recycled items. You can get extremely creative with trees, making them out of a ladder, string, books, and even beer bottles . There really is a tree for everyone, so why not put up a tree that really reflects who you are?

4. Pinecones

Pinecone Trees by Recycleart

Pinecones are probably the most versatile holiday DIY material. If you can collect some in your backyard or local park, there are tons of stylish and beautiful things you can do with a bag of pinecones. You can make a pinecone wreath, garland, tree, and ornaments. Beyond the more traditional, pinecones can also be used as place card holders, candle holder, and miniature Christmas trees. Painted pinecones can also make beautiful and unique gift tags, candle holders, animals, and door hangers. Pinecones can even be scented with cinnamon in the oven to fill a room with a fabulous holiday scent.

5. Card display

Card Garland from MarthaStewart

There are several creative ways to display Christmas cards other than on a side table or on your mantle. You can secure cards with wooden clothespins around an embroidery hoop to make a card wreath. The frame and clothespins can be left natural, covered with fabric or paper, or painted bright colors. Clothespins and string can also be used to hang cards horizontally along a wall, or in the shape of a christmas tree. Clothespins can be covered with spare pieces of holiday wrapping or painted. Cards can also be fastened to fancy ribbon and hung from a bannister or along a mantle. Cards can also be pinned vertically to a piece or layered pieces of ribbon and hung from a door or wall. Cards can also be displayed on a painted ladder.

6. Beautiful Food

Antipasto Wreath by SweetPaulMag

If you want to bring food to a party or wow guests at you own party, the simplest but most beautiful idea that I found is the antipasto wreath, made with rosemary, olives and mini mozzarella balls arranged to look like a wreath. Other great ideas include arranging a vegetable or cheese plate to resemble a Christmas tree. For a sweet idea, dip fresh or Amaretto soaked cherries in white chocolate.

7. Candle holders

Christmas Candles from furniture.trendzona.com

Candles can put the finishing touch on a holiday room. There are several ways in which you can personalize your decor with DIY candle holders using cranberries, a mason jar, and a floating candle, cinnamon sticks, tree bark, and even small fish bowls. Simple glass votive holders can be surrounded with aromatics like fresh lavender, rosemary, or eucalyptus. Candles can be displayed inside birch logs, over an upside down wine glass, or in an arrangement of apples or oranges for a striking centerpiece.

8. Clay pots

Reindeer Candy Pots by plaidkidscrafts.com

If you have any spare plant pots in the garage, you can turn these into charming Christmas decorations. Pots of various sizes can be arranged on top of each other to look like a christmas tree. These can be painted, or covered in paper, cloth or string. This could be a fun activity for children. Pots can also be made into snowmen, Santa, reindeer, and elves. Pots can also be cleaned and painted to hold candies, cookies and other Christmas treats. Old clay pots can also be used to hold candles surrounded by moss, cranberries, or mistletoe.

9. Keeping the kids occupied at holiday parties: Kits

Superhero Kit by megandandymade

If you are attending or hosting a party with small children, you will be the hero of all the adults if you bring along one of these simple DIY kits. Make sure that you know the ages of all the children that will be attending and that you bring age-appropriate and safe materials in your kits. For young boys and girls, you can make your own “Deluxe Superhero Fort Kit” with a laundry bag, some old sheets, a flashlight, and a few more common household elements. This will keep them occupied for hours. You can also make a friendship bracelet kit for quieter entertainment. There are several other ideas on how to keep kids entertained at TipJunkie.com.

10. Frame something

Framed Christmas Joy by cupofdelight at Blogspot

For a more subtle but stylish gift or decoration, dig up an old frame and print out a nice stencil, picture, or words of wisdom on good stock or photo paper. There are several websites that offer free Christmas printables that you can frame as decoration or as a gift. You can also frame old wrapping paper, fabric, or place letters inside an empty frame. You can also run string or ribbon horizontally along an empty frame and hang holiday cards or family pictures attached with clothespins.

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