With Christmas just around the corner, we put together a festive roundup of holiday projects we’ve created over the past few years as bloggers. It’s a mix of old favorites and newer experiments—perfect for sparking ideas for your own celebrations.
First up is a table-decorating series we shared last year. Below are a few of our favorite seasonal place settings and centerpieces that combine texture, metallic accents, and simple, elegant styling. For each setup we aimed for a balanced, inviting look that feels both festive and approachable.
Here’s how we dressed our tree the last two years, leaning into tone-on-tone textures and gleaming metallics for a sophisticated but cozy look. We layered ornaments of different sizes and finishes to create depth and gentle sparkle throughout the branches.
A small holiday treat my husband made for us while we were decorating a few years back became an instant favorite—simple, charming, and easy to recreate at home. It’s one of those little extras that elevates a decorating session into a memory.
Last year we made airy ornaments from inexpensive supplies like feathers, glue, and glitter. They felt delicate and sweet, and blended nicely with our metallic ornaments to add contrast without overwhelming the tree.
This year’s tree included a few new DIY elements—dried fruit slices and faux lemons wired to branch tips for a whimsical, textured touch. These small details make decorating feel creative and personal.
We also love the idea of turning ornaments into place cards. A simple paint pen on a plain ornament creates a lovely, personalized favor guests can take home. It’s an easy way to add a thoughtful keepsake to your table without much effort.
Another clever reuse: glue small magnets onto ornaments to display holiday cards on the fridge. It’s a festive, space-saving way to celebrate incoming greetings all season long.
For a touch of winter white, paperwhites are hard to beat. They’re simple to plant and bring fresh blooms and fragrance to any room—an elegant complement to greenery and ornaments.
We also experimented with moss and metallics on side tables, using craft-store moss and a few silver ornaments to create low-maintenance arrangements that still feel festive and refined.
We also tried a playful ornaments-meet-edibles display that’s perfect for entertaining—pretty, practical, and quick to assemble when guests arrive.
This year our console table got a festive refresh with lush greenery, green ornaments, and a dramatic feather tree that set the tone for the entryway. Small accents like these go a long way in creating a welcoming seasonal atmosphere.
Our den received a subtle seasonal update with a simple wreath and hurricanes filled with ornaments—an understated way to make a room feel holiday-ready without going overboard.
On the living room mantel we mixed ornament-topped candlesticks with DIY labeled stockings for a cozy, personalized display that looks handcrafted but polished.
That wraps up our holiday roundup—an assortment of ideas that are easy to try at home, from DIY ornaments and place cards to table settings and seasonal florals. We hope these projects inspire you to add a little sparkle and warmth to your own celebrations. Drop by again soon for more festive posts between sips of eggnog.
Update: You can also browse our favorite holiday decor finds for budget-friendly pieces and inspiration—many options are under $15.