Remember when we excitedly shared that we were invited to write a regular column for Richmond’s R. Home magazine? Our first piece is now in print, and we’re thrilled to show you simple holiday decorating ideas that use ornaments in fresh, unexpected ways. You can click here to view the three-page story; below are our photos, easy instructions, and a few behind-the-scenes notes.
First, a quick look at what being contributors involved. We were asked to create three DIY projects for each issue. Since our first assignment was the Christmas issue, we brainstormed a variety of ornament-based concepts. We faced a few challenges: for one, we had to source holiday ornaments in early September, and we also styled and photographed everything in our own home (that’s where the magazine shoots take place). We figured it out as we went, and the finished pieces make us very happy. Now for the projects!
Idea #1: A Seasonal “Place Card” Our first twist on a classic glass ornament was to write guests’ names on them with a paint pen to create festive place cards. Below is a candid shot of our setup that we grabbed over the photographer’s shoulder:
One behind-the-scenes detail: our pretend guests had short names (Ross, Ella, Lisa, Bill, etc.) because we weren’t sure at first how easy it would be to write longer names like Nicolette or Margaret on the ornaments. It turned out to be pretty painless, so there’s no need to uninvite long-named relatives this holiday.
These personalized ornaments also make charming gifts. Simply write each family member’s name on an ornament, package them in a festive box or stocking, and present them as a thoughtful DIY present. Recipients can hang them on the tree, display them in a bowl, or use them on the mantel to mark stocking spots.
Idea #2: Ornament Magnets For this project, we glued magnets to ornaments so they could hold holiday cards on the fridge—much more reliable than lining cards on a table where drafts or pet tails might knock them down. We initially tried craft glue, but it took too long to dry. Switching to Liquid Nails solved the problem and sped up assembly.
A little behind-the-scenes note: it was tough to find current holiday cards in early September, so we pulled cards from our keepsake box (spot the one with Burger as a reindeer) and made a few using colored paper and glitter stickers. Ornament magnets also make lovely small gifts—tie a few together with velvet ribbon or present them in a glass dish or bowl for a polished look.
There you have it: two easy, affordable ways to add holiday cheer to your home quickly. We shared a few more ideas on the bottom of the third page of our magazine spread—click the image in the link above to zoom in and read them. We’re excited to bring you our next column, which will be full of DIY art ideas. Stay tuned.
Update: You can view a curated list of our favorite holiday decor finds in our online roundup—many items are under $15.