I’m really not sure what is happening around here….
….but I’m more excited about Christmas this year than I’ve ever been.
Maybe it’s the thrill of hope.
Or a weary world rejoicing.
But this year I’m all about decking the halls and Christmas candles and playlists and coffee in Santa mugs and putting together a stocking full of treats for a golden retriever named Buddy.
(total aside: let me know if you have any amazing dog stocking ideas)
And if your heart is weary?
And if you need a little encouragement?
You have come to the right place.
I have extra Christmas joy right now.
Just for you.
This week I’m sharing Christmas in the blue and white living room and my favorite Christmas playlists and Christmas decorating ideas outside. And today?
Here are 7 simple ideas to add a little Christmas to your home at the last minute.
1. Fill a dough bowl with Christmas
Hello Christmas easy 101.
Take a dough bowl (or a large basket) and place it in the center of your coffee table or dining room table.
Then open up one of the tubs in your attic and dump everything into it.
Literally.
Yes.
Just open and dump.
Then you can arrange it to make it cute.
That’s it. It will take you five-minutes and your coffee table will be decorated and everyone will tell you how Christmas decorating brilliant (and innovative) you are.
2. Make your vases cozy
Do you have an old sweater that you were going to donate?
It can live a new life on your vases.
This will take you five-minutes and a pair of scissors to make your Christmas decor a little cozier.
Then leave them up until February because winter needs cozy, too.
Here’s the step-by-five-minute-step for this DIY.
3. Make a mini tree
I bought these trees at IKEA years ago.
They are the cutest and easiest trees to decorate with.
But if you weren’t shopping with me all those years ago at IKEA, here’s a simple DIY for you:
- Buy mini flower pots
- Paint them white (or leave them terra cotta)
- Put a piece of styrofoam into the bottom
- Take apart an old garland or mini-tree and take the pieces and stick them into the pot
- Cover the styrofoam with burlap
- Instant mini trees
4. Make a DIY Christmas tree
This is the easiest Christmas tree DIY ever.
All you need is pieces of old garland.
And hot glue.
And a star.
You can see the entire 5-minute DIY here.
5. Tuck ornaments into drawers
If you have anything in your house with mini-drawers, this is a great decorating idea.
Just open the drawers.
And add ornaments.
This is the most commented Christmas decor in my house this Christmas.
I just added trees and ornaments to the drawers at different heights.
6. Put it under a cloche
This is one of my simplest, easiest ways to decorate for Christmas.
Just take a cloche and put something under it.
Something Christmasey.
Instant merry and bright Christmas decor.
7. Scrabble Christmas Tree
This might take sliiiigggghtly longer than five minutes, but it’s SUCH an easy Christmas decor.
It’s the easiest of the easiest.
All you need are scrabble tiles and a chalkboard.
You can see the DIY how-to here.
You got this friend.
Simple and easy Christmas decor.
Sprinkled with joy.
Extra from me to you.
I'm feeling full of the Christmas spirit! Thanks for all the ideas.
When I saw your scrabble Christmas 🎄 last year I knew I had to make one right away. It is one of the most commented items in my house. So easy to make and such a great treat.
My golden retriever loves the Zippy Paws burrows; the spiky rubber balls that squeak, or light up or both; the soft flex gripper balls with a handle; and Benebone wishbones to chew on. I'm sure your Buddy will appreciate anything that Santa brings. Thanks for the Christmas decorating inspiration.
[…] KariAnne Wood […]
I'm loving all the ideas. Your ideas are always brilliant but I think they're getting even better. If that's even possible. Loving these cozy and "old fashioned Christmas" feeling decor ideas.
I'm always looking for ideas that my early teenage granddaughters might like to do and you just gave me some great ideas! I know it will be fun doing these crafts with them. Thank you so much!!
Dumping the remainder of my pinecones into my dough bowl right now! Christmas Hugs!
#1 Check, #6 Check. I have a round bread bowl filled with multi-textured turquoise ornaments sitting inside a wreath on the bottom shelf of the coffee table. Also, I have three angels in a cloche. Originally they were facing inward a la weeping angel from Dr. Who, but I got scolded for that (too creepy). Now they face outward, wings touching. Simple, cheap, festive. My tip is to look for garland in the plant aisle instead of with the Christmas decorations. It's cheaper and looks more real. Bought some boxwood garlands for the double mantle and put more turquoise ornaments throughout (aren't those cheap tubes full of unbreakable ornaments great!)
Brilliantly easy Christmas decor, that's what I love! Great ideas KariAnne!
Target has adorable dog toys. My two goldens are getting the string of lights, the lump of coal and mugs of hot chocolate . This brand comes with a note that they will replace toys that do not hold up. For holiday pup treats, daughter slices sweet potatoes very thin and bakes them in a low oven until either chewed or crispy.
So many great ideas. Love the scrabble tree. Rachel.
I put a Santa under one of my cloches and the next morning I found a sticky note attached from my husband who's always up for a good laugh, and it said "Will Santa survive until Christmas or will he die a slow, agonizing death due to suffocation?" LOL Just thought that you might enjoy a chuckle!!
I'm feeling the little trees they are so cute! Hopefully this will be my last Christmas craft, unless you show us something else easy and adorable. Thank you!!!!!
I have friends moving to ft worth in December what kind of plants it flowers grow best outdoors in Texas? I want to send her a gift to grow in their new home and remind her of CT Thanks much
I like simple!!!
The thrill of hope and a weary world...time to rejoice!! Merry Christmas KariAnne!!! xoxo
All i have to do is see your posts and i find something i want to do, thanks for all you help, i am having a really good time this year celebrating my Jesus birthday!
Thanks, KariAnne, for giving us so many cute ideas! That "scrabble" tree is something I am going to make for a gift. You always add such a bright spot to our day! We appreciate you so much! Bless you!
Where did you get the cute little needlepoint Merry Christmas pillow from...it is perfect for a stocking stuffer and adding joy here and there.
I put pomegranates in my oblong dough bowl, then added oranges decorated with cloves that my 4 year old granddaughter helped me make. To finish I added just a few sparkly ornaments to jazz up the whole display.