Last Minute Holiday Gift & Decor Ideas {with links}

December 22, 2014

Ok, it’s crunch time. If you’re still in need of a few Christmas gifts or need to add a few more decorative elements to your home, I’ve got a great round-up of quick and easy gift and decor ideas.

You are definitely going to be inspired so get ready to gift and decorate!

LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS

First up is this amazing DIY blanket scarf from Amy of the MomAdvice blog. Read this easy tutorial and then hop in the car and head to your local fabric store to grab supplies to make a scarf or two for someone on your list..including you!

tip: In a pinch you could also cut up a holiday tablecloth and get the same results!

This Grown Up Hot Chocolate is an easy gift to put together and is something both men and women will enjoy.

tip: you and find all of the ingredients for this at the grocery store

I showed you the Christmas Candy Tubes I made for my family a couple of weeks ago but wanted to share them again in case you need a quick gift for the mailman, grandkids or the hairdresser. Instead of filling your tube with candy like I did, fill it with money, lottery tickets or even a jewelry.

tip: if you can’t find mailing tubes at a store, cut up the cardboard inserts that are in your rolls of gift wrap

When all the big box stores are sold out of cold weather goods, head to your local thrift store on Christmas Eve and pick up a few sweaters so you can make some adorable DIY Mittens like these.

How cute are these DIY Wine Goblets. A trip to the Dollar Store and the Sharpies you already own and you’ve got a great gift. A

Add a bottle of wine or DIY Coasters to Up-Style your gift.

And don’t forget how easy it is to turn a plain mug into an awesome Ribbon Wrapped Mug Christmas gift.

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS DECOR IDEAS

When it comes to last minute holiday decorating, head to the yard and clip a few branches and sprigs of greenery. Coat a few of the branches with white spray paint and add the bundle to a decorative vase.

Yvonne over at StoneGable created these beautiful arrangements and has even more last minute decorating ideas to share with you over on her blog.

Take that left over ribbon you have lying around and wrap a few of your everyday pillows for a quick and easy Christmas Pillow update for your sofa like Cassie from HiSugarplum did!

If you’re holiday centerpiece still needs to be done, use a few of the wrapped gifts under the tree to create a Gift Box Centerpiece. So cut and so easy!

All it takes to create an ornament display for your mantel at the last minute is a few ornaments and a glass container.

Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags

December 21, 2014

It’s happened to the best of us! The gift shopping is done and you sit down to wrap all your gifts only to realize that you don’t have any gift tags on hand.

Option 1 is to head to the Dollar Store or Wal-Mart and pick up some not-so-cute tags

Option 2 is to stay in your pajamas and print some of these free downloadable gift tags.

Here are FIVE of my all-time favorite printable gift tags.

I love the retro feel of these tags! 21 Free Printable Christmas Tags from Shanty 2 Chic

A bit of crafting is required but these adorable ornament tags as well worth the work. Ornament Gift Tags from Please Note Paper

The beautiful calligraphy tags will look fabulous on a gift but I think they would also make a great Christmas card. Gorgeous Calligraphy Gift Tags from The Hive Studio

I love the whimsy and artsy feel of these tags. Holiday Gift Tags from Kelly Murray

Lia and I were in the Scotch Most Gifted Wrapper Contest together in 2012 and this is just some of her amazing designs. Chalkboard Christmas Gift Tags by Lia Griffith

Happy Wrapping!

All Wrapped Up For Christmas

December 20, 2014

T-minus 5 days and counting until Christmas.

The Christmas shopping is all done and boxes have been shipped. Things are starting to settle down around here and that has given me a chance to get most of my holiday gifts wrapped.

I love wrapping gifts and it was so much fun this year to coordinate my gift wrap with my holiday tartan plaid theme.

Here’s a look at my 2014 Holiday Gift Wrap and a few tips that will help you put the finishing touches on your own gifts.

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Christmas Decor / In The Bedroom

December 19, 2014

Happy Friday!

I wanted to pop in today and share how I decorated our bedroom for Christmas.

My goal was to keep things simple and incorporate my holiday tartan plaid theme in some way. I also wanted to use the JOY marquee sign I made last month at the Home Depot Do-It-Herself workshop.

I hope you enJOY the tour!

Since the color foundation of our bedroom is black and white, it was easy for me to add in red, green and plaid along with a few holiday touches.

I love lots of pillows on the bed and also love to mix patterns and colors. The black and white sheets came from HomeGoods are my absolute favorite. I also purchased the red pillowcases from HomeGoods.

The black shams and quilt came from Target and the red and white patterned pillow covers and green velvet cover are from Ikea.

I added some silver decor, all purchased at Hobby Lobby to my night stand. During the day I move the disco ball to the ottoman at the foot of our bed so it sparkles in the sun.

The JOY sign is a project that blogger and woodworker Ana White developed for the Home Depot workshop series. To make my sign unique, I added the molding trim and outlined each letter with gold metallic paint.

The light have a timer so the sign comes on in the evening and goes off right before we go to bed.

Our black armoire was the perfect perch for the JOY sign and I hung some greenery and ornaments from each corner to make it feel really festive.

{and check out that red and hot pink throw I snagged at C.Wonder for 50% off. It just so happens to be my signature color combo–yeah me!}

I hung a wreath on the head of the bed and kept it simple with a red and white bow.

I drape the reversible scarf/throw I purchased from Purple Peridot over the foot of the bed when I’m not wearing it.

The red pillow covers are from Ikea and the black and white striped monogrammed pillow was a gift from my friend Tina who blogs at Encore Creations.

Thanks for stopping by.

Grab a cup of cocoa and come back tomorrow when I’ll be sharing my holiday gift wrap and a few gift wrapping tips with you.

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Holiday Welcome Basket

December 18, 2014

Hello there! Who else besides me is wishing for a snow day?

I could really use a day with no commitments, sitting in front of the Christmas Tree, reading my ever-growing stack of magazines.

Speaking of relaxing, many of us will have family coming to hang out and relax at our homes for Christmas.

One of the ways I help holiday guest feel comfortable in my home is by making them a Holiday Welcome Basket. I fill the basket with items that will make their stay comfortable and enjoyable.

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DIY Monogram Drink Stirrers

December 17, 2014

I love to personalize our small little cocktail cart with monogrammed cocktail napkins and barware. The newest additon to the cart are my DIY Monogrammed Cocktail Stir Sticks which you got a glimpse of when you saw my mug wraps.

After seeing and wanting these monogrammed cocktail stick on Horchow but not wanting to pay $65.00 for them, I knew I this could be an easy DIY project.

After gathering all my supplies, it took me about 15 minutes to make 25 personalized stir sticks and all for less than $9.00 !

To make your own monogrammed stir sticks, here’s what you’ll need:

Plain Wood Drink Stir Sticks {this Etsy shop is currently on vaca but you can ask to be notified when they open back up}

Assorted Adhesive Letter Stickers {available from craft stores and always remember to check the sale section for these}

Mod Podge {to seal you stickers to the stick)

I love how easy these were to make and plan on making more to give as gifts!

Happy Crafting!

2015 Pantone Color of the Year–Marsala

December 15, 2014

Today is day 22 of my 30 Days of Holidays series but I just had to change the focus a bit from all the Christmas themed post to share the 2015 Color of the Year with you along with my thoughts on the color.

Pantone, the leading color indicator in the areas of design, interior and fashion names a color of the year each December. The unveiling of the color is a big deal and is usually greeted with great applause. For 2015 Pantone has selected a color called Marsala that is getting mixed and not so favorable reviews. Count me in with those that were shocked and aren’t embracing the color.

Here’s how Pantone describes Marsala…

A UNIFYING ELEMENT

The impactful, full-bodied qualities of Marsala make for an elegant, grounded statement color when used on its own or as a strong accent to many other colors.

A TASTEFUL HUE

Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness.

A HEARTY YET STYLISH TONE

Add elegance to any room by incorporating this rich and welcoming hue in accent pieces, accessories and paint. Marsala’s plush characteristics are enhanced when the color is applied to textured surfaces, making it an ideal choice for rugs and upholstered living room furniture.

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