Making Christmas decorations fun and easy

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/12/2003 (7965 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR Debbie — We are on the tightest budget this year but it is a tradition in my family to buy or make a collection of new Christmas tree ornaments to mark the year and to give as gifts. Have you any suggestions that would be suitable for kids of all ages?

–Vivian H.

DEAR Vivian — Here is a simple and inexpensive idea. Large, clear plastic or glass Christmas balls are available by the box in most hardware stores. Carefully remove the metal tops and set aside. Fill the insides with a variety of different materials. Try dried articles such as shredded coloured paper, tinsel, cotton balls, even feathers. For glitter and sparkle, first spray a little glue into the ball and then add sprinkles of the amazing choice of shiny powders and glitters. You can also colour these glass balls with paint. Use glass paint and drizzle a little inside, turning the ball so that the paint coats the interior. Experiment with more than one colour, but don’t use much paint as the excess will gather at the bottom of the ball. You can also stencil small designs with paint or spray snow onto the outside of the balls. If painting, invert on newspaper till dry, and then re-insert the metal tops for a unique collection of ornaments.

DEAR Debbie — I’m looking for a way to decorate my table that will go with a more modern approach to decorating. My living /dining room colours are shades of brown from cream to chocolate, with turquoise and orange as accent colours on seat cushions. The usual seasonal reds and greens look horrible.

–Lisa McM.

DEAR Lisa — There are numerous ways to bring a festive note to your home without settling for the traditional reds and greens. Use an all-white colour scheme and accents of silver and gold, both of which look gorgeous in contemporary settings alongside any combination of colours. Begin by taking a walk, preferably in a wooded area and pick up an armload of long, thin twigs and pine cones. (They are available at craft stores if you are locked in an urban jungle.) Spray-paint them white and you’re ready to make a simple centerpiece. Display the twigs in a large, square, glass vase. Don’t add water. Drop some of the pine cones into the bottom of the vase and use them to anchor the twigs. Also distribute the cones on the table around the outside of the vase. Another option is to tie the twigs into a bundle with a fat chocolate brown or white ribbon. Decorate the ribbon with silver glitter.

Choose a collection of angels, bells, reindeer — anything that you love and that has a feeling of seasonal cheer. Display them in groups on the dining table or end tables, sitting on a piece of mirrored glass. The reflective quality of the mirror will magnify the illusion.

Look for the newest lighting designs. Fibre optic light displays are becoming more popular and thus easier to find. As only one light source is required for multiple points of light, the system is extremely energy efficient. It’s also user friendly, as there is only one bulb to replace. Gone is the frustration of figuring out which light bulb is dead, or discarding miles of used light strings when they have burned out. There are fibre optic Christmas trees, Santas, angels, and miniature town buildings. These would all enhance a modern décor.

Be creative and make yourself a new tradition of holiday colours.

The Painted House column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please e-mail your questions to askdebbie@painted-house.com. Check out Debbie’s website www.painted-house.com. and watch Debbie Travis’ Painted House on W, and Debbie Travis’ Facelift on HGTV. For more ideas look for Debbie’s newest books, Kids’ Rooms and Bedrooms.