Ready to get creative with gift wrapping?  Check out these holiday gift wrap ideas:

Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas

Have you been using the same ol’ holiday gift wrapping paper for years and are ready for something new?  If you take the time to create your own wrapping paper is it a really great way to show someone that you really took the time to make their present special.

Some great items for creating gift wrap are: scissors; ribbons; glue; glitter; small Christmas balls and rubber stamps

Tissue Paper:

Choose the color you’d like to wrap your gift up in and wrap it up in tissue paper.  You can use a ribbon of a similar or matching color or combine different colors of ribbons and tie them around it.

Tin Foil:

Get really creative and wrap a gift with tin foil.  After you’ve wrapped the present you can glue a gift card with a poem; rhyme; sentiment or picture to the middle of the gift to add an extra special touch for the person you are giving it to.

Paper bags:

Most people have some paper bags at home.  If you do, creating adorable wrapping paper is easy and affordable!  This is a great activity with the kids and you can use many of their arts and crafts supplies to spice up the bag.  Use markers, paints, crayons, glitter, rubber stamps and whatever else you can think of to add personalize the gift bag for the recipient.

Personalized wrapping paper:

Take printed photos of the recipient and print them on your computer, then glue them to the gift.  You can cover the whole gift package with pictures or add just one or two for an added touch.

Cellophane:

Another popular idea is to use colored cellophane as wrapping paper.  There are so many things you can do to wrap a gift in cellophane.  For example, a popular idea is to take homemade cookies on a plate and warp them up with cellophane and a ribbon.  Candies in a mug wrapped with cellophane is another popular gift.

Make a curly cue bow:

Open your scissors up so that you have one blade to work with.  After you have tied your ribbon onto the gift by simply using a knot or bow, place the blade at the bottom of the bow where there is extra ribbon and press firmly with your thumb on the inside of the ribbon and place your index finger on the blade on the outer side of the ribbon.  Then run the blade up to the top of the ribbon, now you’ve made a curly cue.

There are so many different kinds of wrapping paper you can buy, literally thousands, but there is only one creative holiday gift wrap idea, and that is one made with love and care.

A Christmas wreath always seems to add the final touch to the front door or any room decor.  Here are some ideas for Christmas wreath decorating or how to make your own.

How To Make A Christmas Wreath

If you’re looking at purchasing a traditional Christmas pine wreath they are quite expensive and it seems that every year the price increases.  There are some simply ways to decorate or create your Christmas wreath at home, here are some ideas.

Decorate a Picture Wreath

Here’s a great idea:  Create a picture wreath.  Purchase a simple, undecorated, starter wreath from a local craft supply store.  Use your favorite family photos.  Take each photo and poke a small hole at the top of each picture, then put a different color ribbon through each photo.  Then tie each photo onto the wreath and hang it on your front door.  Your friends and family will love to have a look at your family photos and will marvel at how creative you got with your wreath.

Make Your Own Wreath:

Here is what you will need for this project:

- acorns, wire, candy canes, holly, pipe cleaners, can of snow and Christmas tree branches.

Take the wire and form it into a circle. Twist the two ends of the wire around each other to secure the circle.  Tie the Christmas tree branches around the wire using the green pipe cleaners.  Take candy canes, holly and the acorns and add them to the branches using wire or hot glue from a glue gun.  Use the can of snow to spray on the Christmas tree branches.  Now you’ve got a beautiful wreath to hang on the front door. Spray the Christmas tree branches with artificial snow. You have just created a beautiful Christmas wreath to hang on your front door.

Make a Popcorn Wreath

Another idea is to make a popcorn wreath with a Christmas photo of your family in the middle.  Take some thick thread and string popcorn together.  Decide how large you want the wreath so that you can determine how long the popcorn chain should be.

Form a piece of wire into a circle and secure it at both ends.  Double up your popcorn chain and wrap it around the wire.  Your Christmas family photo can be placed in the center of the wreath.

There’s no limit, you can make animal wreaths with photos of your pets; ornament wreaths, candy wreaths, jingle bell wreaths, Christmas ball wreaths or any kind of Christmas theme you’d like.

There are so many ways to make or decorate your own Christmas wreath you are only limited to your imagination.

Many people are bored with the traditional look of the tree at Christmas.  Here are some great Christmas tree theme ideas to really spice up the season.

Unique Christmas Tree Ideas

Christmas has so many wonderful traditions, one of course being the Christmas tree.  Many people are now using the tree to express their personality and so it has become very popular to create themed trees.

Here are some examples of themes you could do:

1940′s Tree

Find old black and white photos from your parents era and use them to trim the tree with.  Old jewelery, 45′s of favorite songs, vintage ornaments and cars all make great trimmings that reflect that time.  You can use a lace tablecloth as a tree skirt.  To top the tree, how about a 5 by 7 inch black and white photo of a favorite singer or band leader of the 40′s.  Now you can rock around the Christmas tree.

Patriotic Tree

For those who are patriotic a white tree decorated with red and blue ornaments will work well.  You can use a flag for the tree skirt and a flag or maybe an eagle as the tree topper.

Elvis Tree

If you’re an Elvis fan and happen to have collected 45′s of your favorite songs you can tie a ribbon through the centers and hand them on the Christmas tree branches.  Most Elvis fans will have a doll or some sort of memoribilia that will go well atop the tree.  No doubt you’ll want to have a ‘blue’ tree.  Try to find some material with a guitar or a guitar pattern on it to use as a tree skirt.

Some other unique ideas for Christmas trees:

• Decorated in all gold or all silver using ribbons and ball ornaments.
• Covered in white turtledoves.
• Full of musical instruments.
• Full of angel decorations.
• Candle tree (but be very careful with fire near a tree!)
• All the characters from the Muppet show.
• All kinds of shapes and sized of stuffed animals.

If you like to have the traditional Christmas tree then why not too both?  Showcase your themed tree in your front window and keep the traditional tree in your living room.  The possibilities are really endless with creating a themed tree.  Involving the whole family is a great way to create a special memory for everyone involved.

For the patriotic person, a white tree with red and blue Christmas ornaments.  Add a red, white and blue flag blanket as a tree skirt, and at the top of the tree you may want to place a small flag or perhaps an eagle.

An Elvis fan who has a collection of his 45’s may want to trim the tree by putting white  ribbons through the center of the 45’s and hang them on the branches.  Surely, an Elvis fan would have a doll or some other Elvis memorabilia to place on the top of the tree.  Of course, the tree would have to be “blue.”  As for the tree skirt, try to find a blanket or fabric which features a single guitar or several guitars.

Another great idea is to have a 1940’s Christmas tree.  Trim the tree with old pictures from mom and dad’s era; old 45’s of their favorite songs; shoe ornaments reflecting that time; vintage car ornaments; and jewelry as well.  For a tree skirt, you can use a lace table cloth.  Atop the tree, a framed 5×7 picture of mom and dad’s favorite band leader or singer would be perfect. Now you’re really rockin’ around the Christmas tree.

Knowing how to make a Christmas tree ornament can save you some money, and it’s fun too.  Here are three ornaments you can make from things you’ve got around the house.

Make Ornaments With Items Around Your House: 3 Examples

It isn’t cheap to buy a bunch of decorations or ornaments for the holidays.  There are things you can make at home with less cost, here are three cute ideas for things you can make using things around the house.

1. Paper Tree Ornaments:  Cut a Christmas tree out of white construction paper.  Let your child personalize each one by coloring, adding his name, glitter, drawing, etc to make it look like it has ornaments on it.  You can use these trees and string them together for the tree or make a holiday border in a child’s room.

2. Stocking Ornaments:  You can use whatever material you have on hand to make your own Christmas stocking ornaments.  Using different style and color fabrics will make them very colorful and bright.  Take some ribbons, bows or beads and hot glue them on, personalize it by writing or sewing on the child’s name.  When the stocking is finished, take fabric cut into a loop and sew it onto the stocking for hanging.  Hang them on the tree with pride!

3. Cookie Ornaments:  Bake up cookies to hang on the tree using whatever cookie cutters you have available.  If you don’t have any cookie cutters, don’t worry, you can make your own designs.  For example, a pretzel shaped cookie can be easily hung on a branch or decorated with ribbons.  Take a small piece of your favorite dough and rool it out to about three inches, then take the two ends and overlap them at the top to form an upside down letter ”Q”, or any loop shape.  When you’ve got the pretzel fully baked, you can take some ribbon and tie it through the hole and then hang it on the tree.

It fun to make homemade holiday ornaments, not only does the family enjoy it but it lets your child get creative and work his imagination.  There is always more meaning attached to something that is handmade, and it’s a wonderful way to spend more time with your children.  You can also give handmade ornaments as gifts!

So take a look around your house before you go out and spend cash on Christmas ornatments.  It will surpise you that you’ll have things you can use without spending a cent.

Making Christmas Decorations With The Kids

Chistmas holidays are like no other time of year, filled with family and friends.  It’s also a happy occasion because the kids are home from school and it’s a time when great memories that last a lifetime are made.  Taking some time to make Christmas decorations with your kids will be something they will remember for a long time.  Here are some ideas how to start:

1. Christmas Card Holder:  Everyone gets lots of Christmas cards and it can be a challenge figuring out where to store them.  Use an empty tissue box for storing holiday cards.  First, cut the top off the box, then wrap it in Christmas paper.  You can also decorate the outside with holly, ivy and ribbon.  Put your holidays cards inside and you’ve got a great looking storage container for them.

2. Table Centerpiece:  An affordable and easy craft you can do with the kids is to take Christmas ornament bulbs of different colors and sizes.  Take a large glass bowl or vase and add the bulbs, you will need to assist smaller kids in doing this so they don’t break the bulbs. You could also add some holly to decorate it more. This makes a beautiful and colorful holiday centerpiece for the table.

3. Paper Chain:  Take several colors of construction paper and cut them up into strips.  Attach the ends together to form a circle and glue, staple or tape them together.  When you make the next one loop it into the first one to form a chain.  You can do this in Green and Red or just let the kids pick whichever colors they like.  If you want you can wrap it around the tree when it’s long enough.

4. Tree Skirt: You can easily make a tree skirt by taking some felt material that is cut to the right shape, add some bows, sparkles, beads or whatever you have available to make it an original skirt.  For an added touch you could decorate it with trim.  The kids would maybe like to have pictures of Santa and put them along the rim of the skirt.  You could also make a skirt from a quilted type pattern, using different colors and plaids.  This skirt could also be used for a base for poinsettias.

5. Chain of Candy: Kids have fun stringing popcorn and beads around the tree, why not use Lifesavers candy?  Let the kids choose the colors and you could even make it a little lesson by making patterns.  Different color ribbons and twine will give it a Candlyland touch.  You can use candy canes as well.  Since both candies can come wrapped individually, you can take a needle and ribbon (twine or whatever you use) and run it through the wrapping.  When the holidays are over, you get to eat the fun candy chains.

Creating decorations a great way of expressing that the holiday spirit is alive in your home.  Kids love making crafts, the holiday ones will have special meaning and they’ll be proud to display their work.  By creating your decorations your home will be a reflection of who lives there instead of just full of bought sentiments.

If you are like the majority of people, you do not have a lot of time during Christmas to make special decorations. You can make your holiday decorating quick and easy and create a festive atmosphere in your home without spending a lot of time and money, leaving you more time to enjoy the Christmas season with your family. Here are some Christmas decorating tips that are free and inexpensive that will require very little effort:

Use festive tableware for every meal during the month of December. Search your cupboards and drawers and get out anything that looks remotely festive. You can also shop discount and one-dollar stores and find many items for Christmas that you can use every year. You can add to your collection of holiday tableware each year and soon you will have many types of dishes that will make your holidays special.

Try decorating with bows. Ribbons tied around chairs, plants, candlesticks, drapes, stairs and doorknobs make wonderful decorations. Place bows and ribbons in many locations throughout your home for a festive look that is quick and easy. The bows and ribbons do not have to be green and red. You can try many colors or match the bows and ribbons to the colors you have in your home. Choose ribbons that you can reuse each year. When Christmas is over, pack the bows and ribbons carefully so that you can use them again and again.

Put a holiday wreath on every door in your home. Use real pine, holly, and grapevine and decorate with berries, fruit and pinecones. If you purchase artificial wreaths you will be able to use them year after year.

Arrange many candles around the room and turn the lights off during holiday meals. You will create a special, festive atmosphere that will be remembered and anticipated by your family each year. A fire in the fireplace each night will add to the holiday spirit. You can also arrange candles in your bathroom and around your bathtub. Watch small children carefully when you decorate with candles.

Christmas decorating does not have to be difficult or expensive. Simple decorations throughout your house will make fond memories for your family and will be anticipated year after year. Make sure to put out plenty of scented potpourri and scented oils in various locations throughout your home.

When throwing a Christmas party for your friends, you want it to be great.  Planning ahead will help you throw a wonderful party where everyone has a good time.  Here are some Christmas party ideas for adults to get you thinking about what to do at your party.

Party Ideas For an Adult Christmas Celebration

It’s the Christmas holiday season and you’ve decide to have a few friends over to celebrate the season.  Here are some Adult Christmas party ideas that will help you get started.

Light the fireplace; put on your favorite Christmas CDs; hang mistletoe in every doorway, and you are ready to begin. Depending on how many guests you will have and how much room you have you may want to choose a buffet or a full out dinner.  Buffet is often the preferred and of course easier choice. You can even get your guests to contribute by asking them to bring a dish along they can share.

The Buffet – What Will We Serve?

A twelve foot sub or hero works well and is easy.  Served hot or cold, it will be enough to serve everyone you have invited.  Another option is to make a few dishes of your own and then invite others to bring along a dish as well. Some examples of popular side dishes are: pigs in a blanket; stuffed mushrooms; chicken rolls, or bite-sized kiss puffs which come in a variety of flavors, as well as knishes. Have on hand your favorite wines, water, colas and of course egg-nog.

The Buffet – How Will It Be Served?

Have a separate table set up in your living room or dining room and place all food on there. Have Christmas plates, napkins and your flatware laid out at the beginning of the table and ready for guests.  You save time doing this and guests don’t have to search for what they need.  Tip: This makes clean up easier for you as well.

A decorated table also adds to the party decor.  Here are some suggestions: Choose a solid color tablecloth; red, green or white.  Christmas placemats can be added as a nice touch.  A crystal bowl filled with beautiful ornaments is a great centerpiece.  Of course it wouldn’t be complete without candles so add two Christmas candles to either side of the centerpiece.  Why not pin garland around the edges of the tablecloth to make it even more decorative?

Party Games – What Can We Play?

After a great buffet dinner and some desert, it’s time to play some party games.  Adults may enjoy charades or a Christmas sing-a-long. Or, how about playing musical chairs but with a twist? The men get down on one knee while the women walk around to the tune of Jingle Bells.  When the music stops, each woman has to sit on a man’s knee. This game is simple but so much fun you’re guest will end up doubled over with laughter.

Of course, it’s just not Christmas without Santa.  Arrange to have someone dress up as Santa’s villain.  Have him wear a wig and a mustache that turns up to his nose.  He could give away gag gifts, or anything that’s funny and appropriate. This is the kind of Christmas party your guests are sure to remember for years to come.