MY MEDALLION
For many of us, getting our homes ready for the holidays is one of the highlights of the season. We pull out our favourite decorations and get to work, slowly transforming our space into a winter wonderland. If you were hoping to get a little more creative this year, or add more personal touches to your home this holiday season, why not try a few budget-friendly DIY projects? Here are our tips for some easy decorations to add more holiday spirit to your home.
A Space-Saving Christmas Tree Alternative
If you love the idea of having a Christmas tree but would rather not sacrifice the floorspace, there are some great alternatives that yield a similar look. You can use washi tape to create a tree-shaped design, apply a decal, or arrange string lights right on the wall. You can also stack presents in the shape of a tree (real or faux presents would both work), for a whimsical, 3D take. If the tree itself isn’t essential, we’ve seen sprigs of evergreen artfully arranged in a vase that look lovely and festive, as well as common house plants and potted trees decorated with ornaments. Check out this HGTV article for forty more space-saving tree alternatives!
Layer Your Lighting
Take advantage of the fact that the sun sets earlier this time of year and cozy up your interiors by layering on the lighting. This is the time to use all of your battery-operated candles, string lights, lanterns, and pre-lit garlands. Spread them around each of your rooms that could use a little brightening; it will help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere you can enjoy every evening. Keep in mind that your candles and lanterns do not have to be specifically holiday-themed; just pull out whatever you have and make good use of it.
Use Wrapped Gifts As Decor
We love this idea because it’s such a clever one: instead of piling up wrapped Christmas gifts in a corner or squeezing them all under the tree, why not use them as decor? They’re beautiful to look at, thanks to the mix of colourful wrapping paper, sparkly ribbons and bows, and patterned gift bags. Spread these throughout your home or arrange them creatively in one or two rooms—whatever look most appeals to you. Just be sure to keep those gift tags visible so you remember which present belongs to each recipient.
Hang A Wreath Indoors
We love taking advantage of every opportunity to bring a bit of the outdoors inside. In this case, we suggest hanging a wreath indoors; the natural ones don’t have to cost a lot and you can often find a good deal on faux wreaths in December. While you can certainly hang your wreath over a door, it will look good in a number of other places too: try a window, bookcase, kitchen cabinet, or even over your bed. Dress it up with a bit of ribbon by tying a simple bow—you can even coordinate it with your holiday decor. A wreath also looks great as a centerpiece for your table, especially when it surrounds a candle or two. If you’re crafty, you can even make your own, either using a traditional wreath form and adding greenery to it, securing it with wire, or using an assortment of materials from a craft store. There are so many fun DIY options too! You can make wreaths out of pinecones, leftover ornaments, balloons, and peppermint candies. Check out this article for 81 fresh ideas!
Choose A Winter Woods Theme
Not only has the Nordic/Scandi style been in fashion for the last couple of years, this winter woodland look perfectly suits Canadian interiors. It uses lots of natural elements and is quite textural, which adds a lot of warmth and coziness to your living space. We love the winter woods theme in particular because of its longevity; there’s no need to dismantle your decor immediately after Christmas, as this style can last (and not look at all out of place) throughout the winter months.
The best thing about these holiday decorating ideas is that they’re modestly priced and won’t take away from your gift-giving budget.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow the Medallion blog for more home decor suggestions for the holiday season.
