 |  |
This year I was nominated to perform the ultimate Christmas makeover of my dental office on a beer budget: $100. Of course, I could easily spend thousands making a space into the categorical Santa's Workshop, but where's the challenge in that? Frugal is my middle name -- and I honestly pride myself in finding the best for pennies on the dollar.
Before heading to my two favorites stores, The Dollar Tree and Michaels, I had to decide exactly what Christmas theme to go for: Winter Wonderland? North Pole? Vintage? Modern? Traditional? Religious? There are so many Christmassy themes!! However, I decided to go for The Traditional with a modern twist -- decor with contemporary undertones all the while screaming nostalgia.
Although I did purchase some ready-made decorations, most of the office will be bedecked by my own DIY creations. And here's how you can recreate a couple of them at home!
Before heading to my two favorites stores, The Dollar Tree and Michaels, I had to decide exactly what Christmas theme to go for: Winter Wonderland? North Pole? Vintage? Modern? Traditional? Religious? There are so many Christmassy themes!! However, I decided to go for The Traditional with a modern twist -- decor with contemporary undertones all the while screaming nostalgia.
Although I did purchase some ready-made decorations, most of the office will be bedecked by my own DIY creations. And here's how you can recreate a couple of them at home!
DIY Christmas Jardiniere (Vase)
Ok, ok, I know I could have entitled this project DIY Christmas Vase, but doesn't Jardiniere sound so much fancier?!
What You'll Need:
Vase (Dollar Tree)
Red/Green/White Excelsior/Packing (Michaels)
Christmas Ribbon 2.5" (Dollar Tree)
Apple Cinnamon Potpourri
Jazzy Fake Christmas Flowers (Michaels)
Glue Gun & Glue
How To:
First flower arrange: decide which flowers you want in each vase. I purchased 6 vases and a ton of flower separates without much thought. Then when I got home, I played with different arrangements, deciding which flowers would go together in each vase.
Second, measure and cut ribbon according to the circumference of the mouth of the vase allowing about 1/2-1" overlap.
Next, place about an inch of hot glue at the very lip of the vase. Quickly, but neatly, place the long edge of the ribbon along the glue, making sure that the edge of the ribbon is even with the lip of the vase. Continue around and finish with overlapping the ribbon enough to make it look like a continuous band of ribbon. (I only glued the top edge and it seemed secure without having to place any glue on the bottom edge of the ribbon).
Fill bottom 1/3 of the vase with excelsior and firmly press down. Fill remaining 2/3 of the vase with potpourri.
Lastly, flower arrange -- place stems of the Christmas flowers within the potpourri and excelsior, making sure that the stem feels somewhat secure so that it's not shifting all over the place if moved.
Waalaa! You've created a beautiful DIY Christmas Jardiniere!
What You'll Need:
Vase (Dollar Tree)
Red/Green/White Excelsior/Packing (Michaels)
Christmas Ribbon 2.5" (Dollar Tree)
Apple Cinnamon Potpourri
Jazzy Fake Christmas Flowers (Michaels)
Glue Gun & Glue
How To:
First flower arrange: decide which flowers you want in each vase. I purchased 6 vases and a ton of flower separates without much thought. Then when I got home, I played with different arrangements, deciding which flowers would go together in each vase.
Second, measure and cut ribbon according to the circumference of the mouth of the vase allowing about 1/2-1" overlap.
Next, place about an inch of hot glue at the very lip of the vase. Quickly, but neatly, place the long edge of the ribbon along the glue, making sure that the edge of the ribbon is even with the lip of the vase. Continue around and finish with overlapping the ribbon enough to make it look like a continuous band of ribbon. (I only glued the top edge and it seemed secure without having to place any glue on the bottom edge of the ribbon).
Fill bottom 1/3 of the vase with excelsior and firmly press down. Fill remaining 2/3 of the vase with potpourri.
Lastly, flower arrange -- place stems of the Christmas flowers within the potpourri and excelsior, making sure that the stem feels somewhat secure so that it's not shifting all over the place if moved.
Waalaa! You've created a beautiful DIY Christmas Jardiniere!
Be weary of the little ones! Livia kept on trying to pull the little glitter balls and berries off.
Cinnamon Pinecone & Ornament Basket
What You'll Need:
Woven Christmas Basket (Michaels)
Bag of Cinnamon Pinecones (Michaels)
Various Christmas Ornaments (Michaels)
Red/Green/White Excelsior/Packing (Michaels)
How To:
Fill 1/3-1/2 of the basket with excelsior. Randomly place pinecones and ornaments until they are nicely peeking over the basket. And...
You're done!
Place basket wherever you'd like to add a fragrant Christmas touch!
Woven Christmas Basket (Michaels)
Bag of Cinnamon Pinecones (Michaels)
Various Christmas Ornaments (Michaels)
Red/Green/White Excelsior/Packing (Michaels)
How To:
Fill 1/3-1/2 of the basket with excelsior. Randomly place pinecones and ornaments until they are nicely peeking over the basket. And...
You're done!
Place basket wherever you'd like to add a fragrant Christmas touch!
RSS Feed
