Christmas Decorating Ideas
Christmas Decorating Ideas questions and answers
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Q: What are some great Christmas decorating ideas besides the traditional red & green?
We love to have holiday parties and this year we are in our new house and I really want to go over the top. We always have a huge tree and we have a great staircase that I want to do garland and lights cascading.
Have you done anything unique or seen anything unique that you can pass along? I love the smell of candles & potpourri as well but always seem to fall in the same trap of "traditional".
I would love some great centerpiece ideas as well!
Thanks for your help!
A: we also have a big staircase, I took copies of old sheet music and folded it into a cone shape and used wide holiday ribbon to attach the cones to the stair well and filled the cones with ivy and Holli for a great affect. Cost was low, then I did the same to the back of my dining room chairs and around door nobs in the house. It all tied together well. Also try using children's toys to hold candles. I use a big red fire truck every year. I just place tea lights in clear glass votive holders and line up along the back of the fire struck and set the truck in the center of my table. Christmas is about the kids so incorporating some of that into the theme is easy and fun.
Best advice just try to use what you have.
Q: where can i find ideas for outside decorating for christmas?
i was looking for some cheap cute decorating ideas for christmas if anyone has any or knows where i can find some please let me know i love christmas but am not very creative thank you
A: try BHG.com Better homes&Gardens magazine
Q: Big, Bold, Blow your mind outdoor christmas decorating ideas?
Every year we have a decorating battle with our neighbours. This year we need something big, but affordable in order to win. They have put out a giant light up snow globe and we need to beat that. Ideas?
A: A snow globe runs about $150-$200. Assuming this is your budget, lets get funky with your yard:
1. Lights and Sounds Light Controller - there are many versions out there, but the one you want is the one you can get from Sams Club or WalMart because you want to be able to upload MP-3s to it ($75)
2 Make mini tree using strands of lights and floral easels. You can buy them at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. They cost about $2 each. The goal is to wrap about 3 strands of lights around them and put them in your yard.
If you use LEDs, you can get more lights on the L&S machine. If you use traditional incandescent lights, you will not be able to get many.
The difference though is cost. LEDs cost much more than incandescents lights. However, you are trying for mind blowing effects.
Go to Home Depot and purchase as many LED 50 strand lights as you can afford. If you use these, you can stretch the amperage capacity of the L&S.
Presuming it will handle 14 amps, you would be able to get 300 strands of LEDs connected. If you use traditional incandescents, you will only get 40 strands or so.
Connect lights to anything that doesn't move to the circuits on the L&S player. Turn it up and enjoy the show.
NOTE: You will need extension cords and other parts that can play havoc on a budget.
Q: Some inexpensive christmas decorating ideas???
This will be my first christmas in my own place and I can decorate it completely by myself, but with my own place comes a very tight budget, what are some ideas for decorating (tree, outside, dining room etc....)
A: Okay, easy. Go find a cedar tree in the woods, easily done by driving into the country, also gather pine cones, cut pine from tree, cut some holly from a bush and cut some magnolia if possible. Use all this throughout your house with only buying some ribbon to make boews. String popcorn and cranberries for your tree plus go to local pre-schools and ask children to make you some decorations for you tree. Cheap, elegant and simple.
Q: Decorating ideas for String/Christmas lights?
Anyone have any cool ideas for decorating with christmas light year 'round?
A: Place them, bunched up, inside wine bottles (I like the look best without labels, but you can do it either way) then plug them in. Really pretty and of course, inexpensive!
Q: Christmas cake decorating ideas... please help me!!!!?
I am always chosen out of our family to decorate the christmas cake. Last year i made it into a fireplace shape and everyone loved it this year i cant think of another idea. I've looked in loads of books and all over the internet but i still cant come up with any good ideas. PLease think of ideas or ones you have done in the past. Thanks any ideas welcome!!! Thanks again
xxxx
it needs to be something that no-one really does. or something that they never see.
A: Perhaps a world globe -- to represent how Santa travels the globe delivering presents to kids all over the world......
Q: christmas decorating ideas? 10 pts for best answer!?
i know its a little early, but me and my roomate want to decorate our room and the front of our door when we come back after thanksgiving for christmas. but we dont have any good decorating ideas... can someone give me some please? thanks to anyone who answers!
A: You can put some garland up on the door, I personally like a wreath. You can buy them pretty cheaply at a thrift store (family dollar, odd lot, wal-mart). I put small white and red bows on my green wreath. I have another wreath for my side door that is run on batteries, it turns red. I also put a large red bow on my gate outside. You can do that for the door in lieu of the wreath and they are cheap. You can get the plastic light sculptures that look like a Christmas Tree, or Santa, or a Candy Cane. They are white plastic with colored lights and are reasonably priced. I have the candy cane and the tree.
You can hang holly and green garlands in the room. (Holly looks like mistletoe, good for kissing under...). You can get a miniature lighted tree for the room. Stockings to put up on the wall with your names on it. Candy canes in a Christmas mug look festive as well.
If that doesn't do it for you check out the following websites:
http://www.christmas-decorations-gifts-store.com/
http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/decorating/index.shtml
http://christmas.gocurious.com/decorating/2.html
Q: Does any one have great christmas decorating ideas for the home?
A: I like to stick to the traditional red and green. I do the tree in white lights, red balls, red bows then red and green table covers and garland around the house. I also have tiny tree that I decorate the same. I like to replace normal things with Christmas things too...like place mats, pillows, napkin holders, candles, pictures, centerpieces...everything. Christmas only comes once a year so I make the most of it. The dollar stores usually have great stuff for really cheap. Have fun!
Q: I need some good decorating ideas for Christmas!!!?
I need some easy, cheap, pretty ideas for decorating for Christmas.
I also need a good table setting (center peice) 10 POINTS FOR THE BEST ANSWER!
A: One simple cheap thing I do is wrap art work. Find a picture that is hung on your wall and wrap it with beautiful Christmas paper, add a decorative ribbon or bow and rehang it. For a centerpiece just use greenery and pine cones and lots of red candles. Simple and elegant.
Q: Christmas decorating.....?
any Christmas decorating ideas for someone on a budget? Or ideas for things children can make (food or decoration)
Thanx!
A: Keep things simple. Many people have way too many decorations both inside and outside their homes. Less is more.
Keep your decorations balanced throughout the house. Many people tend to crown all their decorations in one place; this is not always a good idea.
Avoid inflatable decorations. The neighbors pets may deflate them, or a sudden storm may relocate them at your neighbors. If you choose to use them, make sure they are securely tied down, and think about removing them if severe weather is in the forecast.
Use lights. This means a string of icicles across your roof or around a column, not spot lights or lights on every last thing in your yard. You may have a tree you want to light in the yard, or you may want to buy some of the wire framed figures like reindeer or snowmen, but be aware of the space these require, and the power they use. This also applies to indoors, use a few strings of lights on your tree with lots of other non-electrical ornaments, tinsel, and handcrafted ornaments if you have children who are "crafty".
Choose white lights, colored lights (single color or multicolor), or both in equal amounts. Many people have a mash of random lights; this does not look good. This goes back to balance.
Turn off the lights occasionally; do not leave them on 24/7. A good guideline may be as follows: Outdoor lights are suggested from an hour before dusk until midnight. Indoor lights might be on from 4pm[16:00] until midnight on weekdays and 8am[08:00] to midnight on weekends. On Christmas Day itself, all lights may be left on throughout the whole day if you like.
Finish the job. Don't let your tree be half bare, if you want to wrap an outdoor tree make sure you can even cover the entire thing, all the way to the top.
Put your indoor tree in front of a large window that overlooks the front yard. This is an easy way to add cheer to your yard without leaving the house.
Place candles in windows. Try battery-operated or electrical bulbs that look like candles so you don't burn your house down. This is another easy way to add cheer to your yard without leaving the house.
Put a wreath on the front door. Make sure it is securely attached and tasteful, not overstuffed with junk or too large. Again, decorate the outside - from the inside. If you want, you may buy some foil giftwrap, maybe green or red with Christmas designs to cover a door, giving it a welcoming Christmas look.
Time things right. Do not put up your decorations too early or take them down to late. Many people seem to be in a race to get decorations up earlier every year, so here are some suggested dates for putting up the decorations and taking them down:
no Christmas before Thanksgiving; Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is early enough for decorations to be displayed anywhere, even in your home.
no Christmas after January 6th [epiphany] but it's best to take the majority of stuff down by New Year's. This also applies to the wearing of Christmas related clothing or accessories, the playing of Christmas music, and the airing of Christmas TV shows.
Avoid mixing and matching icons. A nativity scene may not be appropriate very close to a Santa Claus and his reindeer display.
Include plenty of generic winter icons. Snow flakes and snowmen are a symbol of the winter season, and there is no conflict between religious or commercial decorations.
Be original. Do not copy your neighbors. If you like something they have done, mimic it, but make sure to also do something additional that is unique or only do part of what they have done.
Do not compete. No one else should decide what your yard or house looks like, it's your property and your money so it's your decision, do what you like.
Use common sense and care when erecting outdoor diplays or attaching lights to the eaves and roof of your home. The job of installing them can be dangerous, and emergency room visits are common for holiday decorators.
Keep electrical cords out of walkways, wet locations, and pinch points. If you don't have exterior electric outlets, do not be tempted to run the extension cord out a window or door where it may be damaged, and do not try to light more lights than the cord is rated for.
For the Outside:
Choose a few permanent elements to use year after year, examples include: a string of icicles across the roof line; a string or two around a column in a spiral type fashion; a "cage" style light grid on a bush; two reindeer near a tree.
Choose another few smaller elements to use for one or two years, examples include: a wreath on the front door; an extra string of lights around a door or window.
For the Inside:
Choose some permanent ornaments to use year after year, these can be simple shiny colored balls or ornaments that have a personal significance; remember not to use too many.
Choose one or two new ornaments to add each year, perhaps one new one for each member of your family or each child[make it a tradition]; make sure they mix well with the ornaments you have.
If someone gives you an ornament as a gift and you don't want to keep it, put it on the tree for that year only, then dispose of it[by next year they will probably have forgotten]
Every few years, evaluate the ornaments you have, discard those you no longer want or those that have no significance. Remember less is more and keeping the number of ornaments reasonable will look much better than using too many, also it will make it easier to enjoy those that you love.
Lights on your tree are not absolutely necessary, if you wish to leave them off, feel free to do so.
Garlands are a tricky subject. A popcorn garland might be fun to make and nice to look at but difficult to clean up especially if you have young ones or pets. Feel free to lose the garland all together, also get creative, some people find a festive ribbon to drape in a tree or make their own and knit or crochet a custom decoration. These techniques can also be used to decorate a banister or indoor column.
It's often much better to have a few expensive, well made decorations than too many cheap, tacky decorations. Well made ones can last for years to come and be appreciated time after time. Good examples of this include Austrian crystal tree decorations.
Christmas markets, especially European ones, are a great source for gorgeous handmade decorations.
Don't buy all your decorations at once, if you are decorating for the first time, buy a few inexpensive decorations. Then, after the holiday many stores will have drastically lower prices on many things. Buy a few more at this time each year until you feel you have enough decorations. As with the ornaments, periodically analyze decorations. Discard the ones that you no longer enjoy, might be broken, or that no longer serve their purpose. Keeping these fresh is almost as important as keeping them balanced and meaningful.
Use safe methods of hanging lights. If you use a ladder, be careful, and use it properly [1].
Use only outdoor rated extension cords for exterior lights, and do not try to attach too many lights to one cord.
Q: christmas decorating ideas for dorm door?
our dorm's having a door-decorating contest! and i was wondering what interesting ideas anyone might have to offer -- the popular idea thus far is the "christmas present" (decorating the door like a present) but i wanted something different that won't be overdone :)
any ideas?
what makes you assume just because i'm in college that i drink...?
for your information no-name (who obviously can't even go by your real name? real cool) the only answer i thumbed down (which i have every right to do!) was the beer response because i am not a drinker and that is an immature, ridiculous, hypocritical response about college students. and if you noticed, you got thumbed down for your smart-*** remark, which was completely unnecessary.
A: These are kinda corny ideas but here goes:
You could try to decorate it cabin fever style. With knitted material. Then attach some pics with safety pins. You should plaster it with glitter and white feathers, pics of moose's and reindeer's, lyrics of Christmas songs. *shrugs*
OR
Do a naughty or nice door.
Separate it in half with ribbon and tie it like a bow. Then in each cube have naughty ideas and on the nice side good ideas. Make the number of your door as the 'gift card'... wrap the back ground with gift wrap. And then add some holly and berries to your door. Brainstorm a little.
O another idea, would be to make a calender out of your door . With each day, you could fill in a wish you have for your school or the world. Positive thinking quotes maybe? Who knows..You never know who it could influence or effect it could make people think as they pass by your door. Make a Statement!
GLuck
Q: cheap christmas decorating ideas?
I want to know how to decorate my room for christmas. We already have a real christmas tree and everything, but i want to decorate just MY room! Anyways, i love penguins so yeah. :)
A: you can wrap empty boxes with wrapping paper and put them in your room ad decorations, or get a small Christmas tree and decorate it, or little ornaments your parents arnt using you can take over. you can put lights up in your room. use your imagination and you can crate anything.
Q: Christmas Decorating Ideas for my office...?
Ok so i work in a really fun office. Every year we decorate our department in a themed way for the holidays. last year was candy land and the year before they did christmas in July... So we're trying to think of a really fun creative way to decorate for the holidays so we can win first place! Can anyone help with a good themed idea to decorate our department????
A: Hollywood theme: mirrors, prada bags, heels, fluff, tinsel etc.
Bollywood theme: Indian pillows, mirror balls, incense and trees decorated with Indian theme
Enchanted Forest: Birds, Birch tree branches, fairies, bird houses etc.
Ski Lodge: Flannel, black and red check design, teddy bears, skis, ski poles, sleds, snow flakes, hot chocolate, etc.
Winter Wonderland: I'd do this ALL WHITE... snowflakes, trees, put some white rabbits (fake of course) in there.. etc.
Q: I am going to decorate for Christmas soon. Anyone know of any sites for ideas on decorating for the holidays?
I am a Christmas-holic. I love getting the house ready for Christmas. I would like to have a really traditional decorating scheme. I would love some ideas on things I can do to dress up the place.
A: http://www.christmas-celebrations.com/decorating.htm
http://www.traditionalhome.com/home_decorating.html
These two sites are wonderful. I've used them both, at different times, for other holidays and gotten raves! Good Luck! and Merry Christmas.....
Q: German glass birds (clip on style). decorating ideas for Christmas this year ?
I was thinking of using a small tree that died over the winter that was in my backyard. Any ideas for an indoor display ?
A: Paint it silver