Two weeks ago we shared our Children’s Hospital makeover project, and this week we started installing the room. We’re still waiting on about 40% of the deliveries, so wide room shots will have to wait. In the meantime, here are four simple, affordable DIY holiday projects we completed for the space.
These projects were designed to be removable, kid-friendly, and cheerful without being fussy. They also had to be quick to build and install since we were working on a tight timeline in a busy hospital environment.
- A faux fireplace with real branches
- An interactive paper bulb garland
- Gilded cardboard letters spelling PEACE
- A gradient-painted menorah
1. A Faux Fireplace With Real Branches
We made a faux fireplace to create a cozy focal point in a recess beneath the TV. A real fireplace wasn’t an option in the room, so we built a lightweight, removable panel instead. We started with a thin plywood board cut to size and stained it gray.
Instead of painting a fire, we incorporated real wood for texture. I gathered fallen branches and split a few on the table saw so each piece had a flat side to sit against the plywood. After arranging them to mimic stacked logs, we let them dry, then sealed the halves with several coats of spray poly to make them less crumbly.
Once the glue dried we reinforced the logs by screwing them in from the back. Sherry painted simple flame shapes with a terra-cotta orange paint. We debated adding more colors but liked the clean, graphic look of a single tone, so we left it minimal.
To keep the fireplace fully removable, we used 3M Command Velcro strips to secure the panel in the alcove. A few small mantle decorations finished the scene. The handmade chevron stockings we added were a donated touch that made the space feel extra special for visiting families.
2. An Interactive Christmas Light Garland
Next to the faux fireplace is a fresh wall where we hung two more projects. The first is a paper “Christmas lights” garland that’s interactive: kids can color bulbs and clip them up like a clothesline display.
Sherry cut cardstock into the rounded shapes of vintage string-light bulbs and glued silver paper “sockets” to the clothespins. We strung them on silver twine so they read as a string of lights when clipped up. The bulbs are easy to remove and replace, encouraging kids to add their artwork to the display.
To get things started, our daughter colored a few bulbs before we arrived. While installing, a 10-year-old named Jessie colored several more and even made a small self-portrait on one. Seeing kids engage right away was the best possible response.
3. Vintage cardboard “PEACE” letters
Above the garland we hung a “PEACE” sign made from craft-store cardboard letters. We wanted a calming word to anchor the room, so cardboard letters were an inexpensive, lightweight option that would still feel substantial when finished.
I carefully cut along the top edge of each letter and smoothed the sides with a sanding block to remove roughness. Sherry sprayed the edges with gold paint to give them a metallic rim, then painted a gradient in the centers using several shades of blue—from turquoise to deep navy. The mix of gold edges and painted blues gave the letters a vintage, slightly weathered look that fooled a few visitors into thinking they were metal rather than painted cardboard.
The final pieces feel light and approachable but look like thoughtfully made décor, which is exactly the tone we were aiming for in this calming family room.
4. A Gradient Menorah
Sherry carried the blue gradient theme over to a menorah. We found a simple white menorah and gave it a quick spray-paint treatment to produce a graduated effect: dark blue at the base, aqua through the middle, and leaving the top white. The result is a subtle, modern take that ties into the room’s palette and took only a few minutes to execute.
Those are the four holiday touches we completed so far. We’re still working through a larger to-do list that includes window treatments, a cozy armchair, di-cut trees for the ledge, wreaths in the kitchen area, tablecloths and centerpieces, cork boards filled with messages, and a few more hanging art pieces.
Working in the hospital has been humbling. Observing the staff and getting small glimpses of the difficult work they do every day has been eye-opening. It puts holiday decorating into perspective and reminds us how meaningful a small, welcoming space can be for families facing hard times. We’re grateful for everyone who helps make that difference.
Update: we’ve compiled favorite holiday decor finds for inspiration and budget-friendly options to help you create similar looks at home.