With Thanksgiving just barely behind us, the pressure is on to decorate for the holidays. But it doesn’t have to be stressful! Take a breath and toss those magazine clippings suggesting you make your own spun glass ornaments or glittered winter village. An abundance of refreshing shortcuts exist using materials you already have at home (if not, they’re available at the hardware or grocery store, or with one click online). Below are 30+ tips and DIYs to get you decking the halls with ease this December—plus time for that glass of wine and episode of Stranger Things. Well done, you!
For your tree this year, swap the perishable popcorn-and-cranberry garland for strands of timeless wooden beads—unfinished or dyed by dipping them into RIT dye.
Or, ditch the Douglas fir (the horror!) and get a wall of washi tape up in the shape of a tree. Perfect if you’re traveling around the holidays—cleanup is a breeze.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/457256168408778679/
Swap out the washi tape above for strings of holiday lights. Adhere with a wall-safe tape like painter’s.
Easiest gift wrap ever = butcher or kraft paper + adhesive vinyl letters (so Evan knows the gift with the E on it is all his!).
Spray-paint a big branch gold to use as a centerpiece.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/478648266621262897/
Make personalized ornaments, gift tags, and toppers with Social Print Studio’s affordable mini square prints. Hole-punch the corner of the image and finish with a ribbon loop.
Buy clear ball ornaments like these and house a fresh sprig of eucalyptus or pine inside each like in the image above.
Wreaths can be pricey! Hang a bundle of evergreen branches from ribbon on your front door.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/551550285586460274/
Tuck away any extra tree trimmings that didn’t make it onto your door. Tie a sprig onto holiday gifts or top each place setting on your table with one.
The tree-in-a-basket trick might be so 2012, but it’s still pretty darn beautiful.
Holiday crackers for all! Oh Happy Day's Party Shop has the best selection (or you can DIY your own).
Pull out all the candles and candle holders you own and parade them down the center of your table or mantel. More is more!
Paper runners are a striking look on your holiday table (they double as gift wrap if you run out). Or vice versa: Use extra gift wrap as a runner.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/257971884880657102/
No time for a polished centerpiece? Get the kids outside to gather pinecones and voilà! Cluster them on top of a runner down the middle of your table for decor that doesn't cost a thing.
Bowls of produce aplenty! Citrus, pomegranates, or pears (anything wintry) on the counter, in the guest room, etc.
Turn up the volume on your citrus and make old-school orange clove pomanders. They make great gifts, too.
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/187392034468767668/
At $30 apiece, RENS Sheepskin throws from IKEA make any room instantly cozy: draped on chairs, on the floor, anywhere...
Close holiday envelopes or adhere tags with festive washi tape.
Printer paper or newsprint + scissors + a few snips = snowflakes!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/226728162470750235/
Display a bright and merry Advent calendar for all to see. (DIY-ing one is as easy as printing numbers on treat baggies and taping them to the wall).
Bake a few dozen gingerbread men and women (before baking, poke holes for hanging) and transform them into ornaments, gifts, even a garland.
Metallic dot stickers are a holiday workhorse: Use them to close envelopes, stick labels to packages, or jazz up boring gift wrap.
Make or buy bottle brush trees. Build a forest on your mantel or have one grace each place setting.
If you have a bar cart, dress that baby up. Garland, citrus, ribbon, or all of the above will do the trick.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/407153622554560058/
Wax seals elevate holiday correspondence in a flash.
Cut gingerbread cookies into letters using these and then put them at each place setting. Host of the year award.
Hot-glue glitter pompoms to wooden skewers for an insta-festive drink stir.
Speaking of pompoms, forage a branch and make your own faux pussy willow or berry branch for the holiday table.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/407153622533882351/
Find one stamp you really love and go nuts: Adorn place cards, gift wrap, napkins—nothing is safe!
Removable wall decals—like these golden stars—are magic on a wall behind your holiday table, your tree, in your entryway.
Dewdrop string lights are a holiday game-changer. Let them drape off your stairs (inside or out) or on your mailbox, or simply put them on the tree.
