10 Days Until Christmas: creating a Holiday Centerpiece Your Family Can Argue Over (literally)

DIY Holiday Centerpiece: created by Michael George from Epicurious

Chances are for the holidays you have family coming over, and/or friends. Even on Christmas sometimes tensions run high (hopefully not between friends, but rather family). So if great Uncle William is hammered, and Sister Eliza is fuming because Mother Dearest was critical again while at dinner, why not have the festivities surround a gorgeous centerpiece. This do-it-yourself(er) is from Epicurious.com and it’s creator is Michael George (the Artistic Director of FlowerSchool of New York. It’s quite easy to do (for the know how click the picture) and a real room and table brightener. Even in the midst of calm, chaos, anger, annoyance, or drunkenness (disguised as holiday cheer) beauty is always appreciated.

11 Days until Christmas: the Brits have Bridget Jones, Mark Darcy & Crackers

DIY Christmas Crackers

In many parts of Europe, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, Christmas Crackers are a enduring holiday tradition. Not so much in the United States, but I have brought them to our family for this Christmas. If the allure of the “Crack” ing sound and the goodies inside (small trinkets or sweets) prove to put smiles on everyone’s faces, then they will probably be an on-going tradition at my home. Now I purchased my Crackers. You can get them anywhere. But for those of you who want to really put the personal touch on Christmas, click the picture for the DIY Crackers you see here posted on Our Big Earth. This is great project to get kids involved in too. The point is, is that not EVERY THING has to be the same, and that includes Christmas. Inject at least one new thing, for my family it’s the Christmas Cracker…and see if everyone’s reaction warrants a new holiday tradition.

14 Days until Santa: a Little Way to Decorate Big for Christmas

Christmas decorating with ribbon

I don’t know if you can tell but I love ribbon, crafts, and decorating for Christmas. When I saw the cute easy way to add color to your holiday decor using ribbon, I had to let you know about it. Click the picture for the How-To, but it’s rather simple. The craft requires ribbon, tape or tack and a paper medallion (or anything else you’d like…like a small bow). Here is my advice: 1) click the link, 2) get the How-To, 3) stop reading, and 4) get going and decorate.

By the Way: Congratulations to Deeba, editor of Passionate About Baking as being the first annual Blog of the Year winner!!!

15 Days until Christmas: Gift Wrapped Originals

Musical Gift Wrap Paper

This may be presumptuous of me, but I’m assuming you’re not done gift wrapping presents (or purchasing them for that matter). Or is that just me? Instead of running to Target to get manufactured wrap, why don’t you show off your creativity? Country Living has come up with one of many great ideas for custom gift wrap, like above. To find the how-to just click the picture. However, the above gift wrap is sheet music that has been enlarged on a copier (Jingle Bells to be exact, but any Christmas song will do) onto thick paper. Presto!!! This is the result. I love it! Think creatively this Christmas, we all have that capability within us.

P.S. Tomorrow I will announce the Blog of the Year winner. I can’t wait!!!!!!!!

 

17 Days Until Santa: An Idea for All those Wine Lovers and their Corks

http://curbly.com/diy-maven/posts/9455-make-a-wine-cork-wreath

Wine Cork Wreath

As most of us know the holidays involve a lot of alcohol. What we also know, is that the other days of the year involve (in accumulation) a lot of alcohol too. If you’re a wine drinker and a wreath lover…like I am, this may be the project for you. I introduce the Wine Cork Wreath. I don’t think Curbly’s Wine Cork Wreath is just for the holidays. I see it hanging in a home’s cocktail area or outside the wine cellar door all year long. The how-to is at the link, but for your ease I’ve attached the accompanying video too. Enjoy!!! Salud!!

P.S. This is the last day to vote for The Blog of the Year. Every vote counts for the finalists. Voting closes tomorrow at around 5:00 p.m. Central Standard time. Good Luck ladies!!!!

19 Days Until Christmas: The More the Merrier

Seating in our home is always an issue when the holidays come. We usually invite more people than we have formal chairs in our home. While our basic chair design is nice, I never thought about taking a cue from the brides for a holiday. Then I found this. How simple and elegant. A nice fabric slip cover + red satin ribbon+faux greenery and pine cones (or real if you like) + possibly some wire (or other adhesive) to adhere the greenery into the knot of the ribbon = the beginning of a beautiful formal holiday table design. With ideas like these, what’s not to love about Christmas.

BTW: Is there anyone who has been doing this in your home for the holidays? If so…what has been the response from your family and guests?

P.S. Don’t forget to vote for one of our Blog of the Year finalists. Voting ends this Thursday, December 9, 2010. The winner will be announced Saturday, December 11, 2010.

20 Days until Christmas: A Cute Unique DIY Ornament

http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-christmas-ornaments.html

Sweet Savannah DIY Ornament, a real score

Part of having holiday decor that stands out to not only your guest, but your family, friends & most importantly…you, is originality. I have to say I stumbled upon the most unique and cutest DIY ornament idea from Sweet Savannah. If you have a Scrabble set that has been sitting around due to your limited immediate vernacular that yield  only three to four letter words, or you have quite the disposable income, give this a try. These ornaments are sweet, simple, and creative (click the link or the picture to be taken directly to the directions). Heck, maybe if you have enough time you’ll be able to put together longer words that personify Christmas.

P.S. Don’t forget to vote for one of the Blog of the Year finalists. Voting Closes This Thursday the 9th at 5:00 p.m. The Competition is heating up!! I love seeing all the finalists’ loyal supporters and their comments.

 

24 days until Santa

 

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/holiday-ideas/easy-holiday-wreaths

 

DIY Sugar Coated Fruit Wreath from Good Housekeeping

In keeping with the DIY theme for Blog Revue’s Christmas countdown (because we know all bloggers are at their core about doing it themselves), I could not resist this sugar-coated wreath. Sugared fruit is a mild obsession of mine during the holidays (it has a little to do with M. Stewart). I simply love the look. Therefore, when I came across this easy to make wreath from Good Housekeeping I had to let you know about it. For the “how-to” click the link or the image above. Sugared fruit can add elegance to any household. If you do it once, and properly…you’ll have a wreath to hang for many winters to come.

By the way: don’t forget to vote for the blog of the year, and make one of our finalist’s year. You can cast your vote on the Finalist page at the top of the Blog Revue home page!!

 

 

Christmas Count Down: DIY Christmas Card Board

http://www.houseandhome.com/design/diy-christmas-card-board

Christmas Card Board from Canadian House & Home

I’m a sucker for Christmas. While it’s not December 1 yet it’s still after Thanksgiving. Therefore, a Christmas count down is in order. While Blog Revue is committed to highlighting the best and most committed bloggers around, the site is taking a brief detour this holiday season. As many of you started the frenzy of shopping on Black Friday, gift giving and home decorating are on your priority lists. But not all great gifts for friends, family, and even yourself are necessarily found pre-assembled in a mall. Hence the Christmas Card Board. Follow the link to Canadian House & Home above and learn how to easily create a custom made board for your home or someone else’s that will transcend the approaching holidays and the years to come. Christmas is about cozy feelings, hot chocolate, spritz cookies, thoughtful gifts, gatherings with your friends and family and a beautifully styled home. I think that this, just may help with some of that.