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If you’re feeling crafty, we have some festive ideas to brighten up your home.
Christmastime is probably the only time of the year when you’re looking forward to doing some crafts. Maybe you make your own Christmas cards or are in a homemade-gift Kris Kringle. But once the tree is up and there are some lovely festive aromas floating about, we tend to leave our homes as they are.
Why not focus some of that creative energy on your interiors this festive season. We’ve got five DIY ideas for different rooms in your home so you can sprinkle a little sugar and cinnamon and spice (metaphorically speaking) throughout the house. These aren’t strictly Christmassy ideas either, you can tackle them any time of year – but who has the time?
Tie a bunch of eucalyptus and leave in a vase by the bath or, if you’re feeling adventurous, tie it beneath your shower head. This is something a friend of mine did and not only did it make for a lovely bit of greenery in the bathroom, the hot water and steam brought out the clean aromas of the eucalyptus so it smelled extra fresh after a shower.
Okay, so this is almost not DIY because it’s too easy but guests will talk about it for years to come. Create a little mini beauty hamper with hand cream, pillow spray, essential oils, a candle, some soap, a book you think they’d like – whatever you like really. Pop them all into a little basket with a face cloth at the bottom so your guests can relax and unwind as soon they come in the door. Note: Only do this for guests who you want to have over again and again, because they’ll certainly be back after receiving one of these. The Nature of Things Lavender essential oil, €16, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, €25.50, Grown Alchemist cleansing soap bar, €19
If you’re tired of the bad jokes and even worse paper hats, make your own Christmas crackers with some wallpaper samples, cardboard rolls and ribbon. Get the full instructions here.
If you are not in any way green-fingered, fear not – you can still make your own chic wreath that’s simple in design (and in making. Ferm Living have been giving us some ideas, just a plain hoop, dried flowers and a ribbon and the hall will be decked. Deco frames, €45 for three, Ferm Living
This is a great way to avoid the mess of wrapping paper and ribbon (much of which is not recyclable) on Christmas morning. Make the little ones their own sack with some pillowcases and ribbon. Just put a few stitches of the ribbon near the top to ensure it doesn’t get lost. Every year they’ll be able to spot their own sack brimming with gifts from Santa. Then you can wash and put away for another year. Stripped flannel pillowcase, €15 for two, Zara Home, Floral print pillowcase, €7.99 for two, Zara Home, red velvet ribbon, available from any good haberdashery.
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