Winter decorations can make your house feel more Christmassy, more welcoming, and simply more homey. At this time of year, almost all the shops and stores will have their winter decorations on display, but some of them can be more expensive than most of us are willing, or able, to pay. An affordable alternative is to make your own. It’s much more cost effective, and these winter decorations look amazing, beautiful and are fun to create. You can even get your little ones involved in making them.
Jam Jar Votive Holders
These jam jar votive holders are really easy to make, but they look absolutely amazing. Gather up your used jam jars, wash them and dry them. Tape a line about a fifth of the way up the jar. Cover the bottom of the jar in glue and dip it into glitter. Let it dry and take the tape off. You can add twine, and other decorations. You can then put sand into the jar which will secure the votive candle. You could also use an artificial candle if you prefer.
Front Door Decorations
This is a really simple front door winter decoration idea. All you need is two lengths of ribbon, and some tacks. You can tack the ribbon across your door and hide the tacks on the sides of the door. You can add a wreath for a more festive look, or you can make a big statement bow using more ribbon. You could use co-ordinating or contrasting ribbons for the bow, and maybe even tie in some oversized candy canes as well.
Framed Bauble Wreath
This framed bauble wreath is really easy to make, and you can pick up materials for it in second-hand stores. All you need is a frame, a few Christmas baubles, paint, and ribbon. You can paint the frame in whatever colours you want – go all out festive, sparkly or subtle, it’s entirely up to you. When the painted frame is dry, put three baubles on co-ordinating ribbons, at different lengths, and staple the ends to the back of the frames. Attach an oversized bow on the top of the frame, and it’s all done!
Dried Orange Garland
This dried orange garland is simple to make, and it’s a wonderful winter decoration that will add some wintery spice fragrance to your home. You’ll need some oranges, cinnamon sticks, sprigs of rosemary, and a length of twine. Measure out where you intend to hang the garland, and then add on an extra ten inches.
The first thing you’ll need to do is prepare the oranges. Slice them into 1-2cm thick slices and pat them dry with kitchen towel. Preheat the oven to 140 degrees, or 120 for a fan assisted oven. Line two baking trays with parchment paper and lay the orange slices on the trays. Bake in the oven for three hours, making sure that you turn them every thirty minutes.
When the orange slices are cool, you can start threading the twine through. Rather than simply threading the twine through the slices, make a loop, and push the loop through the middle of the orange slice. Put a sprig of rosemary, and a cinnamon stick through the loop, and tighten the twine. Repeat this step at regular intervals along the twine and secure the ends. Hang the garland wherever you want and let the scent of this winter decoration fill your home with festive joy.
