The holidays are almost here, and if you’re still figuring out how to turn your home into the perfect party space—or if you’ve suddenly found yourself hosting an unexpected gathering—don’t worry! We’ve put together some simple tips and tricks to help you quickly jazz up your home with items you likely already have or can easily find. Let’s make your holiday hosting stress-free and festive!
Deck the Halls in a Flash
If you’re on the hunt for some last-minute decor ideas that will wow your guests, we’ve got you covered! These festive touches are not only easy to pull off but also use items you probably already have on hand—or can grab without breaking a sweat. Get ready to add a little holiday sparkle to your space in no time!
⭐ Mason Jar Snow Globes: Here’s a quick and charming idea to add a festive touch to your decor: grab some mason jars or affordable snow globes from Dollar Tree. Start by filling each one with about an inch of fake snow. Don’t have fake snow? No problem! You can use granulated sugar (avoid powdered—it’s too messy!), paper shreds, cotton balls, or batting. Next, create your scene by adding miniature decor items like tiny trees, figurines, or houses, and nestle them slightly into the “snow” for a cozy look. Prefer a natural vibe? Swap out the miniatures for cranberries, pinecones, evergreen sprigs, or holly for a rustic, festive touch. For an extra magical element, cut the top of the jar lid, glue an upside-down electric tealight inside, and let it illuminate your little winter wonderland.
⭐ Festive Garland: This year, why not swap out heaps of fake greenery or tinsel garland for a fresh, stylish alternative? Grab your thickest ribbon and create a custom garland in any length you need. Add a touch of dimension by tying knots at intervals along the ribbon. To make it even more festive, incorporate leftover decorations like ornaments, pinecones, or even gift tags with clever holiday quotes or sayings.
⭐ Gift Wrapped Decor: Chances are, you already have plenty of frames and small decor pieces around your home—so why not give them a holiday makeover? Grab some leftover wrapping paper and turn those everyday items into festive decor! It’s a quick and easy way to add holiday cheer without buying anything new. Just be mindful not to wrap too many items, as it could start to feel cluttered.
⭐ DIY Candle Holders: No time to shop for holiday-themed candles or fancy candle holders? No problem! Turn ordinary bowls, vases, or glasses into festive candle displays with a few simple steps. Gather any vessels you have on hand (the more varied, the better!) and fill them with leftover holiday items like small ornaments, bows, pinecones, greenery, or ribbons. Add a candle to the center—electric candles are recommended for a safe and worry-free glow. For an extra festive touch, decorate the candles themselves with holiday-themed stickers or gift tags you have lying around.
⭐ Holiday Throw Pillows: Give your throw pillows a festive makeover by repurposing holiday scarves, blankets, or shirts as pillow covers! Simply wrap them around your everyday pillows for an instant seasonal upgrade. Depending on the original pattern of the pillow, you can even get creative by blending the existing design with a touch of holiday flair for a unique, eye-catching look.
⭐ Pipe Cleaner Wreath: Need a quick and easy way to add a festive wreath to your front door—or anywhere in your home? Try making a pipe cleaner wreath! All you need is a ring (styrofoam, wooden, or even one crafted from thick foil) and a pack of colorful, holiday-themed pipe cleaners. Simply twist the pipe cleaners around the ring to create your design. Not only is this an affordable and eye-catching decor idea, but it’s also a fun activity to get the kids involved in!
⭐ Christmas Card Display: If you and your friends are big on exchanging holiday cards, why not turn those heartfelt greetings into festive decor? Simply string them along a decorative ribbon and hang them up! These card ribbons look stunning draped over doorways, arches, or even a large hutch. Not big on card exchanges? No problem! Head to your local store and grab a selection of festive cards to hang on the ribbon instead. Take it a step further by adding a couple of hanging pens—guests can write holiday messages before they leave, turning it into a memorable and interactive activity. Alternatively, pre-fill the cards with heartfelt holiday notes for your guests to take home as a thoughtful keepsake.
⭐ Upside Down Wine Glasses: For a versatile and creative holiday decor idea, try turning wine glasses into festive displays! Simply flip the glasses upside down, fill them with seasonal items, and use the overturned stem as a base for a candle or decorative piece. Think of these as elegant, DIY snow globes. To assemble, you can start by arranging small festive items—like fake snow, pinecones, ornaments, water beads, or greenery—on a small plate or coaster, then place the wine glass over them. Alternatively, fill the glass itself with your chosen items, cover the opening with a sturdy plate or coaster, and gently flip it over. Make sure the plate or coaster completely covers the glass’s opening to avoid spills, but avoid using one that’s too large, as it can detract from the sleek look.
⭐ Window Displays with Sheer Fabric: Create a warm and inviting glow around your windows with this simple yet elegant idea. Start by finding sheer fabric—neutral tones like cream or white work beautifully—which you can easily pick up at a craft store. Wrap the fabric around small twinkle lights to create a soft, illuminated effect. No craft store nearby? No problem! Repurpose sheer clothing items like scarves or shawls for the same dreamy look. To keep things hassle-free, secure the fabric and lights to your window using suction cup hooks, which are easy to attach and remove when it’s time to clean up.
⭐ Cozy Blanket Displays: To complement your festive accent pillows, add a touch of warmth with cozy basket displays placed throughout your home. Start by gathering a few baskets and filling them with soft, inviting items like blankets, sweaters, scarves, or even extra tablecloths you’re not using. Then, layer in some holiday charm with accents such as ornaments, pinecones, holly sprigs, small wrapped presents, ribbons, or stockings. For an extra magical touch, wrap the baskets in small string lights to create a gentle glow. Just be sure to arrange the lights safely, avoiding any smothering to prevent a fire hazard.
5 Minute Mantel Magic
If you have a fireplace, it’s likely to become a cozy gathering spot for your guests at some point during the evening—even in places like California! This makes the mantel a perfect focal point for some festive decorating. With a little creativity, you can transform it into a show-stopping display that will impress your guests and spark conversations.
A quick safety note: All fireplaces, including electric ones, pose potential fire hazards. Be mindful of how you decorate the mantel, ensuring nothing flammable is too close to the heat source.
🕯️ Gift Box Display: Got leftover wrapping paper? Put it to good use! Gather some of those empty gift boxes (bonus points if you have a variety of sizes and shapes!) and wrap them up. The key to making them stand out is to go all out with elaborate ribbons and bows. Once wrapped, arrange the boxes artfully across your mantel for an eye-catching holiday display. Want to make it even more fun? Turn the display into an interactive game by tucking small favors or clues inside the boxes for your guests to discover.
🕯️ Holiday Book Display: Are you an avid reader? If so, you probably have some holiday-themed books—or at least a few with festive covers—tucked away in your collection. Now’s the perfect time to let them shine! Create a charming display by arranging your books and accenting them with holiday touches like ribbons, bows, ornaments, greenery, or sprigs of berries. For an extra cozy vibe, add electric tea lights or string lights to illuminate your arrangement.
🕯️ Holiday Frame Display: Start by gathering frames from around your home or pick up some affordable ones from Dollar Tree or similar stores. Use wrapping paper, ribbons, or other holiday craft supplies to decorate the frames for a seasonal touch. Next, fill the frames with holiday cards or festive images and arrange them on your mantel. For added visual interest, elevate a few frames using books, boxes, or small stands to create a dynamic and eye-catching display.
🕯️ Bowl Display: Remember those candle holders you created using bowls and vases filled with small festive items? Why not make a few extra to adorn your mantelpiece? You can coordinate the design with other displays around your home for a cohesive look, or mix it up to make your mantel a unique centerpiece.
Grab-and-Go Holiday Favors
Sending your guests home with a small token of appreciation is a thoughtful way to show your love and gratitude during the holidays. The best part? These gestures don’t have to break the bank or take much time to prepare. With a little creativity, you can whip up meaningful and budget-friendly thank-you gifts that your guests will cherish!
🎁 Candy Cane Sleighs: To create these adorable mini gifts, start with a couple of mini candy canes. Lay them down with the curved hooks facing upward and glue them together to form a sleigh shape—the hooks will act as the front of the sleigh. Once the glue has dried, load up the sleigh with small gifts, candies, or cards, tie everything together with a festive ribbon, and voilà! You’ve got a “sweet” token gift for each guest.
A quick note: While the candy canes may look delicious, it’s best not to eat them if glue was used. For an entirely edible version, skip the glue and instead use a kitchen torch to lightly melt the sides of the candy canes, then press them together. The melted sugar will act as a natural adhesive, creating a sleigh that’s as tasty as it is cute!
🎁 Small Toiletries: Small gifts like hand sanitizer and lip balm make thoughtful and practical tokens for your guests. To add a festive touch, dress them up with printable wraps, wrapping paper, ribbons, or stickers. Not only are these gifts easy to customize for the holidays, but they’re also useful items your guests can enjoy long after the party is over.
🎁 Book Related Gifts: If your friends and family are avid readers, there are plenty of thoughtful gifts that will make them feel extra special this holiday season. Festive bookmarks, holiday-themed editions of books, curated holiday reading lists, or small book lights are all fantastic options. Can’t find holiday-themed versions? No worries! Gather a few reading-related goodies and present them in a holiday-themed or book-inspired gift bag.
🎁 Drink Kits: DIY drink kits are always a hit and make for a thoughtful, customizable gift! Two popular options are hot cocoa kits and apple cider kits. For a hot cocoa kit, start with a packet of hot cocoa mix or transfer the mix into a festive baggie. Add a variety of toppings like marshmallows, chocolate chips, peppermint chips, or chocolate pieces in another decorative bag. To take it up a notch, you can pair the kit with a mug, or simply package everything together in a festive wrap.
For an apple cider kit, include a small bottle of apple juice. Since unfiltered apple juice works best, you might need to divide a larger bottle into smaller, single-serving containers. Add a spice mix on the side—either homemade (simple recipes are readily available online) or store-bought from companies like Aspen Mulling Company.
🎁 Holiday Stationery Kits: This idea is one of our favorites—and it’s perfect for a last-minute gift! Simply head to your local office supply store and pick up a few small items like sticky notes, paper clips, pens, and pencils. Bundle them together with a festive ribbon, and you’ve got a thoughtful, practical gift that’s both easy to assemble and full of holiday cheer!
🎁 Coloring Pages/Crayons: We didn’t forget about the kids! Instead of braving the crowds to hunt down coloring books during the holiday rush, why not print your own? You can find free printable coloring pages online or purchase unique, themed packs from Etsy for something extra special. Once you’ve printed the pages, bind them together using a spiral spine, a 3-ring binder, or even just a couple of staples. Pair the coloring book with a small pack of crayons and some festive stickers, and you’ve got a delightful, easy-to-make gift that the kids will love!
Dual Purpose Decor and Favors
Looking for a way to combine decor and party favors? We’ve got you covered! This clever approach not only saves you time and effort but also makes cleanup a breeze as guests take their favors home with them. It’s a win-win for hosting with style and ease!
❄️ Ornament Place Cards: Put those leftover ornaments to good use by customizing them with your guests’ names! Keep it simple with a Sharpie or go all out with paint, stickers, and other craft supplies to make each one unique. Once the party is over, your guests can take their personalized ornament home as a keepsake to display on their desk or add to their holiday decor. For an extra touch of flair, use fillable ornaments and add small candies, bows, or even handwritten sayings for your guests to enjoy later.
❄️ Personalized Coasters: Transform ordinary coasters into thoughtful, personalized keepsakes! Start with any coasters you have on hand—they don’t have to be festive, though holiday-themed ones can add extra charm. On the cork side, add a personal touch by writing small greetings or customizing each one with your guests’ names. Not only does this make the coasters more endearing, but it also adds a playful touch when you remind your guests to use their custom coaster throughout the event.
❄️ Small Blankets or Scarves: Give the gift of warmth—perfect for your holiday gathering and beyond! These don’t have to be holiday-themed; small blankets or scarves work beautifully. Wrap each one lovingly with a festive bow to show your guests how much you care. Not only can they use them to stay cozy during your party, but they’ll also have a thoughtful keepsake to take home and cherish for years to come.
❄️ Decorative Wine Bottles: Here’s a super fun idea to add a personal touch to your holiday decor: decorate your favorite wine bottles! Let your creativity shine—cover the bottles in glitter (just brush on glue and dip them for a dazzling effect), dress them up with custom holiday stickers, or use paint and markers to create a one-of-a-kind design. For an extra-special touch, print custom labels featuring your guests’ names.
As the holiday season brings joy and togetherness, we want to take a moment to thank you for allowing us to be part of your celebrations for another year. Your support means the world to us, and we’re honored to be a part of your holiday traditions. From all of us, we wish you a season filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Happy Holidays, and thank you for being such an important part of our journey! 🎄✨