Craft a perfect holiday home with DIY decor

Create a house of merriment with our affordable Christmas decoration ideas.

Feeling like the Grinch when you see your neighbor’s epic seasonal display? Put away that handmade Santa cap and sled! You can create your own house of Christmas enchantment with our DIY holiday decor ideas.

DIY wreaths

Start your decor at the front door with a festive wreath. It’s a quick holiday craft that will instantly get your home in the holiday spirit. 

Make wreaths for all your doors.

Nature calls

Choose natural elements such as evergreen stems, pine cones and red berries. Attach the pieces to a wire wreath with some floral wire so it stays put, even on windy, wintry days. Finish it with a velvet ribbon for a polished look or a textured one for a rustic vibe. Make more to hang on the inside of your entryway doors.

Color crush

If you prefer brighter colors, go bold with mesh ribbon. Using a wire frame as the base, attach floral wire or several color-coordinated pipe cleaners to the frame; these will hold the ribbon in place. Attach one end of the ribbon to the wire. Twist and puff the ribbon to create a 6-inch bubble, then secure it to the frame. Continue around, adding additional layers to create a full wreath. Add ribbons, ornaments or other decor to embellish as desired.

Centerpieces

Easily add Christmas merriment to your home with a few festive centerpieces. Place them on a table, a fireplace mantle, an entertainment center or a shelf to add some holiday color to every room.

A few pieces of greenery and candles make a simple, beautiful centerpiece.

Tables

For the dining table, you can keep it simple. Arrange some greenery, then scatter a few brightly colored ornaments or faux pomegranates (or other holiday fruit) around it. Add some tall candlestick holders and taper candles to give your arrangement some height. 

For coffee or side tables, fill a wooden bowl or box with ornaments and/or pine cones. Try using both shiny and flocked balls for more visual interest. Place some thick candles or an interesting lantern next to it. Finish your centerpiece by tying a thick ribbon around the candles or the lantern handle.

Mantles

Create a forest across your mantle or piano top with a smattering of brush trees in different sizes and colors. Add some tiny wooden houses or homemade gingerbread ones and you’ll have your own Whoville. Sprinkle some artificial snow over everything to make it glisten like a brisk winter morning.

Garlands

Garlands can be expensive — and messy when they shed. Make more interesting and affordable Christmas decorations with some paper and scissors. You can even get the kids involved. 

Paper garlands never go out of style.

Paper garland

Take a long piece of packing paper and twist it lengthwise to make a stem. A long tree branch also works well. Set it aside. Next, cut two or three sizes of leaves out of different shades of green cardstock. You can fold them in half lengthwise for more texture or leave them flat. 

Using hot glue, attach the leaves to the stem piece, making your garland as full as you’d like. Use a circle punch to make some red berries for a splash of color. Drape your garland along a mantle or across a table.

Paper chain

Remember the paper chains you made in elementary school to count down the days until Christmas? Use scraps of pretty wrapping paper to make a chain garland to wrap around the tree or a stair railing. Cut the paper into thick strips and attach with staples or glue. Make the rings tightly packed together for a more elegant, less kindergarten look.

Personalized gift wrapping

Why buy ordinary wrapping paper when you can make your own? It’s the perfect holiday craft project for kids and adults because it serves two purposes: It’s fun to do and it’s useful. Start with a roll of white butcher paper for a base. 

Create your own wrapping paper to perfectly match your holiday decor.

With stamps you can make a pattern, or try paint pens to draw your own designs. Or, make it your canvas to create an art piece with paint. Finish your packages with some ribbon and a few embellishments such as paper snowflakes, dried oranges or a rosemary sprig.

Easy holiday decor with kids

Finding a great sale on holiday decor is awesome, but the most affordable Christmas decorations are the ones you make yourself. Not only will you save money, but you can keep your kids entertained during the cold winter afternoons.

Treat filled pots

Using a small clay pot, you can make all sorts of holiday characters. Paint the pots: white for a snowman, brown for a reindeer, etc. Attach googly eyes, pom poms and felt to create faces. Fill the pot with candy to give as a gift or place it on a shelf.

Chocolate trees

Cut tall triangles out of green patterned craft paper. Glue onto a toothpick or other thin stick. Using a Hershey’s kiss as a tree stand, insert the stick into the top.

Candy ornaments

Cut colorful tissue paper or cellophane wrap into squares. Place a styrofoam ball in the center of each piece and wrap the tissue around to look like a piece of hard candy. Tie the ends together with some string or ribbon.

Discover deals on items you need for Christmas on KSL Classifieds.

Find deals

Fill in your other Christmas decor needs with finds on KSL Classifieds. Discover:

• Trees
• Books
• Dishes
• Ornaments
• Christmas villages

And if you find, after all your holiday crafts are made, that your heart is three sizes larger and you have a desire to sing carols? Consider it an occupational hazard.

Find a place of your own to decorate for the holidays on KSL Homes.