This Christmas, deck the halls with a classic red and white color combination inspired by candy canes. From festive crafts to spirited decor, here are 10 minty-fresh ways to celebrate in style.
Put your front door on display with a holiday wreath that hints at the festive decor inside. This jaunty red and white design is a clever way to repurpose paper staws. Attach them to foam board with hot glue for an almost-effortless but super impressive statement craft. This wreath is right at home on a front door, but it'll happily take up residence on a mantel, bookshelf, or other interior focal point of your choosing.
Photo: Chelsea McDonnough
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Leftover craft jingle bells inspired this adorable melted bead candy cane project. Simply arrange red, white, and green beads in a candy cane shape, pop them in the toaster oven, and watch the colors meld together. Since they're small and lightweight, they make great ornaments and gift toppers. Have extra beads? These cookie cutter ornaments are also fun to make.
Photo: One Little Project
Don't overlook nooks and crannies throughout your house! This tiny tree perched on an end table and dotted with red and white ornaments is a pretty way to add Christmas spirit to an overlooked corner. Better yet, the pro-look orbs are super simple to make: wrap strips of ribbon or fabric around foam balls, secure with straight pins, and add a loop for hanging. Get the how-to here.
Photo: A Place of My Taste
It's the most wonderful time of the year: gift-giving season! Skip the long lines at the store and opt for a heartfelt handmade gift instead, like this candy cane-inspired herb planter. A basic tin can or mini galvanized pail becomes a giftable herb planter with a little imagination and the addition of striped rope. Insert your favorite herb and attach a cute tag, and your rope-wrapped tin is officially a wow-worthy gift.
Photo: Better Homes and Gardens
Warm up by a roaring fire and feast your eyes on these darling burlap and striped fabric stockings. Make or buy a basic burlap stocking, then apply showy embellishments like stars, snowflakes, pom-poms, and zig-zagging ribbons. For fun, let each family member choose their own fancy flourishes.
Photo: Craft Passion
A sweeping winter garland can easily turn a simple mantel into a Christmas showcase. Alternating red and white yarn pom-poms strung together remind us of a classic popcorn and cranberry chain, only better -- it'll last for seasons to come!
Photo: The Happier Homemaker
Make the Project
Decorative lanterns are an uber-versatile investment since they can be styled a million different ways. For Christmas, fill lanterns with an assortment of shiny red ornaments, and use a scarlet ribbon to tie on a sprig of greenery and frosted pinecones. It's a traditional look that pleases wherever its placed.
Photo: Remodelando la Casa
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You've strung up the garland but your stairs still look a bit bare. Don't fret! Here's a sweet way to add a little pep with zero fuss: wrap empty packages in a variety of red and white papers, then create little gift stacks on each step. With today's assortment of gift-wrap papers, you can mix and match colors and patterns to coordinate with virtually any Christmas palette.
Photo: Craftberry Bush
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This cheerful wreath combines two favorite symbols of Christmas: candy cane and holly berry. To make this jolly wreath, wrap thick striped ribbon around a foam wreath form and secure with hot glue. Once the wreath is covered, make the berries by gluing red glitter to painted foam balls, then attaching to the wreath with hot glue and toothpicks.
Photo: Polkadot Chair
Make the Project
The weather outside may be frightful, but it only takes a few Christmas touches to make an entry look delightful. This kick-your-boots-off space may be petite, but it smartly makes the most of space while taking its design cues from a classic color combo. A metal pail filled with red and white ornaments tucks beneath the bench, and a tiny potted tree leaves enough room for sitting. Above, a row of hooks becomes a gallery in which accessories like a scarf, lantern, and chalkboard are displayed, and garland layers atop a picture rail.
Photo: The Happy Housie
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