The 12 style hacks of Christmas
Limit the holiday stress with these speedy tricks for festive flair
Here are 12 “hacks” of Christmas to help you navigate some of the stresses of the season by giving you some less expensive, easier and more practical ways to get that special holiday magic for your home.
Just remember — it’s not about making it perfect, it’s about making it special and collecting moments. 1. Make an entrance
In each place I’ve lived, I’ve worked to make the entryway welcoming. Statement pieces are great, but it’s the details that will round out your vignette. Don’t rule out discount stores for some of the basics — candles, baskets and mirrors.
Tip: Place potpourri, candles or sachets in this area to keep it smelling nice. 2. Wrap outside the box
Mason jars, spaghetti sauce jars and pickle jars work well as packages for holiday gifts from the kitchen. Fill them with nuts, trail mix, cocoa mix and mini marshmallows, favourite candies, dried fruits, peppermints or cinnamon sticks. Cover the lid with a square of fabric or scrapbook paper, trim and fold under the lid and secure with tape.
Tip: Keep a basket of these by the front door to share with friends and neighbours. 3. Light the way A topiary dressed in white lights sets the scene. Pick up a couple of inexpensive plastic planters (I chose dark ones because they look like pottery), two tomato cages (one-stop shopping), two 6-foot strands of garland and two strings of 100-count white lights.
With a pair of strong wire cutters, snip off the largest ring of the tomato cages, leaving the vertical wires so they can be tucked into the planter. Wrap the garland and lights along the tomato cage.
Tip: Place a brick or two in the planter to keep it steady. 4. Presents that pop
Christmas is the perfect opportunity to show off your own wrapping skills and make the gift recipient feel extra special. I love the natural look of plain brown kraft paper (often $1 at discount stores) adorned with ribbons in holiday plaids. Personalize gifts with a special message or a line from a favourite holiday song in silver or gold ink.
Tips: Use double-sided tape for a professional look. Flatten wrinkled ribbons with an iron set on medium heat. 5. Scents of the season
Stir your guests’ senses with a pot of DIY holiday potpourri simmering on your stove, featuring lemon, orange, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, sprigs of fresh rosemary and fresh cranberries.
Tips: Don’t let the pot boil dry. Add more water as needed. Before slicing, press and roll the fruit several times to release the juices. 6. Gather ye cones
Neighbourhoods and parks are full of pine cones this time of year, so keep a bucket or bag in your vehicle and fill it up. Try them in centrepieces and garlands, as ornaments or even firestarters.
Tip: If you gather pine cones outdoors, bake them on a foillined baking sheet at 200 degrees for about 30 minutes to rid them of any pests. 7. Ice like the pros
How to decorate holiday cookies like a professional? Condiment bottles. They allow you to ice cookies with more ease and control.
Tips: After you fill condiment bottles with icing, set them in a pan of warm water to keep the icing fluid. Let each colour dry on the cookie or dessert before adding the next colour. 8. Photographic memories
Really like that family photo? Take a pic. Make it the contact photo for that person in your phone. You’ll always have the image.
Tip: Crop the photo to show each person if you have more than one family member in your contact list. 9. Don’t sweat the wreath
Make unique holiday wreaths using old kid-sized sweaters that you don’t mind recycling wrapped over a traditional foam ring ($5-$10 depending on size) or a pool noodle ($1). Position the sleeves the way you want them, then pin in place with T-pins.
Tip: Keep pins on the side of the wreath that will face the wall or door. 10. Hung with care
Fresh garlands are still a Christmas staple. I made kidfriendly garlands using gum- drops for one and pompoms for another. These were discount store purchases strung on sturdy dental floss.
Tip: Buy inexpensive greenery and enhance it with your own custom-made garlands. 11. Fireside beauty
If you have a fireplace, it’s a natural centrepiece for Christmas decorating. Mix vintage and new decorations. Don’t shy away from the discount stores. An unexpected piece might fit right in with your carefully decorated vignette.
Tip: The Christmas palette of red and green has grown to include many shades of both. Enjoy mixing in barn and cranberry reds, forest greens and woodsy browns — plus plaids that feature combinations of colours. 12. Smarter storage
Store your ornaments a new way. Egg cartons can handle smaller, delicate ornaments. Paper or plastic cups protect larger ornaments.
Glue plastic cups to a large piece of cardboard, then stack those in a large crate. And what about all of that wrapping paper you’re going to buy at the postChristmas sales? Hit the discount stores again and snag a couple of tall, plastic garbage cans to keep your rolls of paper neat and organized. Then tuck them away in a closet until they’re needed again.
Tip: To keep wrapping paper rolls neat, hold them in place using the cardboard cylinders found inside rolls of paper towels. Just cut open one side of the cylinder, then wrap it around the paper roll. No more mess.