This year’s holiday season certainly has a different feel. But even if we’re not embracing our entire extended group of loved ones, we can still embrace the delight of holiday decorating! Nothing says “holiday cheer” like some cozy seasonal decorations.
You don’t have to go all-out on your decorations! These small-scale holiday decorating ideas will have a big impact on your celebrations and overall mood this holiday season.
You probably have a lot of these materials around your home, and if you find yourself needing any final items to round out your holiday decorations, check out our catalog or give us a call.
1. Rustic Holiday Tablescape with Tree Trimmings
This rustic holiday tablescape uses tree trimmings, candles, and a simple table runner to establish a sweet, wintry mood.
If you have a Christmas tree or wreath at home and can spare a few clippings off the end of some branches, go for it!
Use scissors to gently clip off about 8-10 inches off a couple branches in the back (or inner section) of the tree and pop those into any glass container that can hold water and function as a makeshift vase. Alternatively, use any available vases you have on hand. Try to use something that won’t tip over and spill.
For a more rustic feel, leave these mini Christmas trees unadorned. If you prefer to have them match your main tree, hang some light ornaments. Place your mini trees at either end of a long table or set them in the center of a round table or sideboard to set the scene.
To round out your rustic holiday tablescape, lay out a plain white or off-white table runner and set out green or white candles to match. The final touch to this rustic tablescape is to add some low-key sparkle by carefully inserting one section of string lights into an empty glass bottle and adding that to the scene.
2. Snowy Mason Jar Candle Holders
Baby, whether it’s cold outside or it’s just fun to sing about it being cold, bring a touch of wintry delight into your holiday celebration with little more than tea lights, mason jars, some sparkly string, and optional pinecones.
If you have empty mason jars in different sizes, use as many different sizes as you have to hold white tea lights or votive candles.
Then, use your most sparkly twine or white wrapping string to tie a tidy bow around the mouth of the mason jar. Note: Make sure your twine is fully on the outside of the jar and not in the way of the flame!
Finally, if you have any decorative pinecones available, arrange them around your cluster of mason jar candle holders. When you light the candles, the white string will reflect the light and you’ll have snowy vibes with none of the cold.
3. Homemade Snowflake Art
Homemade snowflake art takes no more than scissors, paper (the color of your choice), and creativity. If you’ll be making art with youngsters, opt for safety scissors if you have them.
The amount of snowflake art you make to decorate for the holidays is entirely up to you.
Here's how to make snowflakes using paper and scissors:
1. Cut a piece of paper into a square.
2. Fold it into a triangle.
3. Fold that triangle into thirds.
4. Cut off the “extra” paper ends at an angle.
5. Cut out small shapes from the sides of the paper.
6. Unfold the paper and voilà! You have a snowflake.
Repeat this process until you have as many snowflakes as you need to decorate with. You can dangle these with gift-wrap ribbon or string or tape them together to make a garland. Alternatively, if you make a bunch of smaller homemade snowflakes, you can sprinkle them along your table runner for some wintry pizzazz.
For specific snowflake patterns, check out these patterns from Martha Stewart or follow along with this video.
4. Sparkling Woodsy Tablescape
Perhaps the most involved décor inspiration on this list, this sparkling woodsy holiday tablescape combines various elements found throughout these holiday decoration ideas.
First, trim a couple of sprigs of Christmas tree or wreath and place them in a vase or mason jar with a little bit of water. If you want to skip the water, be prepared for a pile of dry tree needles on your tablecloth!
Carefully put some white string lights in mason jars that contain no water, and set some silver or white candles alongside those jars.
Next, place either store-bought plastic snowflakes or some dainty, handmade paper snowflakes and some complementary (preferably sparkly or shiny) ornaments around the mason jars and candles. You’ll probably want to use ornaments you’re not attached to! We don’t recommend risking any heirlooms or precious pieces for your tabletop holiday decorations.
When you turn on the string lights and light the tabletop candles, the reflection of the candlelight and string lights will flicker and dance in the glass of the mason jars and the surface of the ornaments.
Note: If you choose to light the candles, ensure there are no tablescape components at risk of catching fire!
5. Handmade Ornament Garland
Stringing up holiday odds and ends, bells, and ornaments is a very simple way to create your own handmade ornament garland.
Using regular twine or holiday gift-wrap string, you can lightly tie bows onto candy canes, gingerbread cookies, ornaments, or handmade snowflakes.
Then, affix those dangling items to a main line of twine or string and hang that up near your table or central gathering area. If you are so inclined, make multiple ornament garlands and deck the halls with them!
If you’ve exhausted your candy cane supplies, we recommend making gingerbread cookie “ornaments” or salt-dough ornaments to fill out your garland. Here’s a very simple 3-ingredient recipe for making your own salt-dough ornaments.
We wish you a happy holiday season and hope you and your household have fun decorating for your small-scale holiday celebrations this year. If you need any additional items to round out your holiday decorating ideas, browse our catalog or give us a call.