Christmas

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what gives the half wreath its undeniable je ne sais quoi. Perhaps it’s its deconstructed, minimal aesthetic; or maybe it’s just a blatant disregard for convention that we find so attractive. Whatever it is, one thing’s for certain…this elevated look is affordable, accessible, and totally DIYable for all. Half wreaths are versatile in that they can be left simple, or embellished with as many blooms and baubles as your heart desires.

A classic circular wreath is pretty much the physical manifestation of infinite holiday joy, so why limit it to your front door? The possibilities for indoor wreaths are as infinite as their iconic shape, so today we’ve rounded up 6 of our favorite wreath locations that don’t require front door real estate. No mantel? No problem. Hang a wreath (or two, or three) on a blank wall for a celebratory look.

One of the most charming things about holiday decor are the stockings lined up across a mantel—but what happens if you don’t have a fireplace? Ah well, then of course you dot your staircase banister with them. What? No staircase either? Never fear! This clever idea taking over Pinterest works for everyone, no matter your architectural shortcomings. Decorative ladders in living rooms have been a big trend these last few years, usually used to hang blankets and throws.

Decking your halls with holiday decor can be tricky when you’re on a budget. That’s why it pays to be resourceful when it comes to spreading holiday cheer throughout your home. Luckily, some of our most humdrum home essentials actually offer ample decorating opportunity. With a little imagination, you can turn everyday items—like puzzle pieces, newspaper, and houseplants—into seriously stylish trimmings.

I did not grow up in a house that delicately opened gifts on Christmas morning. My mother did not collect all the intact gift wrap, fold it carefully and stash it away for another use. We were savages that ripped open presents with abandon. The more shreds I could get out of each box, the longer the unwrapping lasted, which made me a happier child. (My mother did, however, always save gift boxes—the kind you put shirts and pajama sets in—as well as gift bags because she was no fool.

In a day and age when social media and inspiration-heavy sites like Pinterest make you feel like everything you create for your home or how you decorate for the holidays has to be (literally) picture perfect and super chic, there are rays of hope that sometimes the internet is up for something slightly ridiculous. Case in point: the recent obsession with not-the-least-bit-elegant-but-maybe-pretty-great giant balloon Christmas lights.

For anyone who’s ever excitedly bought a tree that turned out to be a serious needle dropper/too heavy to carry up the stairs/completely devoid of any festive scents — this buying guide is for you. Aesthetics are one thing, but there is so, so much more to consider. You know the deal: you walk onto a Christmas tree lot, find a tree that seems like it’ll fit in your home for the right price and boom, you’re done.

If 2017 left you feeling like your life got flipped turned upside down, then you wouldn’t be the only one. And there’s a new (whimsical?) holiday trend to support the state of affairs, and we have Karl Lagerfeld to thank/blame. On Wednesday, Claridge’s unveiled their annual Christmas tree, a tradition which hospitality site The Caterer calls “one of the highlights of the London hotel festive season”, and this year, it’s… upside down.

Say goodbye to the tree skirt and hello to this unexpected accessory.

Sure, there’s the requisite nativity scene, the ornaments that have been passed down from your great-grandparents, and the Griswold family inspired display of twinkling lights outside. But sometimes all you need is a trip to the grocery store to deck out your house for the holidays (especially if you’ve been procrastinating putting anything up!).

As we’ve seen from her two Halloween decor tours, crafter and blogger Jennifer Perkins takes decorating for the holidays very seriously. And by very seriously, I mean incredibly bold, brassy, colorful and over-the-top! It should come as no surprise that she’s a master at outfitting the crown jewel of Christmas decor: the tree. In fact, she has over 100 trees, so she definitely knows what she’s talking about. Let her decor ideas inspire your own last-minute holiday touches.

Sometimes, more is more. For many, one of those times is Christmas, and all the decorating opportunities the holiday brings with it. If you’re more of a maximalist than a minimalist when it comes to decking your halls, feast your eyes on the following ideas— they’re a little OTT, but in the best way possible. Above: Why decorate one tree when you can trim six trees?

Some people have a true knack for gift giving and manage to think of a thoughtful and personal gift for everyone on their list. Then there’s the rest of us who struggle, procrastinate and, often, end up with gifts that are generic, uninspired or wholly unsuitable for the recipient. Well, here’s an idea to simplify your holiday shopping this year: get everyone the same gift.

It’s always fun flipping through an IKEA catalog, looking at all the new stuff, and imagining how it might look in our own home. Their winter holiday collection is an extra bonus this time of year, filled with festive decorations and — most importantly — fresh decorating and styling ideas. Above, garland hung from the ceiling above, and around doorways, is perfect when space is at a premium. Create a unique decorative element on the wall using leftover ornaments.

Go homemade! Not only can you get exactly the look you want, but it makes gift giving more personal. Here are thirty fabulous homemade holiday gift wrap ideas to make the people on your holiday list feel extra special without breaking the bank. 1. Foil Baking Gift Wrap: Hey Look 2. Raid Your Craft Stash Gift Wrap: A Lovely Lark 3. Polka Dot & Yarn Gift Wrap: Cotton & Flax 4. Neon Bow Gift Wrap: How About Orange 5. Pom Pom Gift Wrap: Katie’s Pencil Box 6.

In Mexico, Christmas festivities officially begin with the Posadas, a series of nine parties occurring every day from the 16th until the 24th of December. Posadas are said to have been invented by the Spanish priests who in their attempt to convert the locals to Catholicism began holding nine masses before Christmas due to the similar timing of the celebration of the birth of the Aztec god of war, Huitzilopochtli.