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Easy DIY Christmas Decorating Ideas for Shelves & Tables

December 21, 2023 by GSInteriors 3 Comments

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Are you looking for fun and creative ways to add some festive cheer to your home this holiday season? Creating your own DIY Christmas decorations is a very budget-friendly option to get into the holiday spirit this time of year. Not only is it a great way to get into the spirit of the season, but it’s also a fun activity to do with family and friends. In this blog post, I’ll share some creative and simple ideas for some DIY Christmas shelf décor that will add a personal touch to your home. I’ll also share some of my other Christmas season DIY craft projects. So, let’s get started!

White and green miniature christmas village

Make a Minimalist Nutcracker

Minimalist white painted nutcracker DIY displayed on a mantle

Painting a wood nutcracker is one of the easiest ways to add a unique touch to your own Christmas decorations. This is because you can fully customize this DIY Christmas shelf décor idea to your taste and color scheme. I decided to use simple white paint on mine to create a minimalist look. You can easily find unpainted wooden nutcrackers at most craft stores like Hobby Lobby, Michael’s or even Amazon. 

To get started, you’ll need a few basic supplies:

  • Wooden nutcracker
  • 120 grit sandpaper
  • Tack cloth
  • Spray paint of your choice (make sure it’s the kind with a built in primer) 

Create your own minimalist nutcracker in two easy steps:

  • First, use the sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges or imperfections on the nutcracker. Use the tack cloth to wipe away the excess wood dust.
  • Second, in a well ventilated area, apply 2 to 3 coats of  spray paint to the entire nutcracker. Make sure to apply thin coats to avoid dripping. Allow the paint to dry completely between coats. 

The best part about this project is it takes very little time and effort, yet has a lot of impact. I placed it on our mantle however it would also look great on open shelves.

Christmas Coffee Table Styling with a DIY Black Vase 

DIY Black hobnail vase styled on a round golden tray with pinecones and evergreen sprigs

I created this DIY black vase last year, out of a vase I found at the thrift store, air-drying clay, and some black paint. I love the sort of hobnail look I created and the rustic look it adds to my holiday décor, along with some simple pinecones, contrasted with the classic festive gold tray. Not only do I like this vase on a coffee table, it would also add to any DIY Christmas shelf décor. Here are a few simple but effective Christmas coffee table styling tips to help get you started:

1. Add a festive tray

A gold or silver tray can instantly add a classic touch of holiday cheer to your coffee table. It also helps contain all of your coffee table décor, making it look organized. 

2. Use seasonal decor 

Add some Christmas-themed decor to your coffee table, such as small figurines, nutcrackers, or holiday-themed candles. 

3. Incorporate natural elements 

Bring some of the outdoors inside by adding natural elements to your coffee table decor, such as pine cones, poinsettias, or evergreen branches. You can use faux greenery like I did, if it’s easier. I really liked the look of these frosted tree branches I picked up at Michaels. 

4. Use festive colors

Incorporate traditional Christmas colors like red, green, and gold into your coffee table décor by using items like ornaments, garlands, or small presents. 

5. Keep it simple

Remember, less is often more when it comes to home decor. Stick to just a few key elements on your coffee table to avoid a cluttered look. 

Christmas Bowl Filler

If you’re looking for a simple but effective way to add some holiday cheer to your home, consider decorating with Christmas bowl fillers! These small decorative items can be used in a variety of ways to create a festive display in any room of your home. It would also be an easy centerpiece for a festive dining room table. You can even use items you found out in nature, or have in your home already. Here are a few simple steps to create a gorgeous Christmas bowl filler: 

1. Choose your bowl 

First, select a bowl or container that will serve as the base for your display. This can be a traditional bowl, a dough bowl, a wooden bowl like mine, a vase, or any other type of container that you like. 

2. Select your filler

Next, choose your Christmas bowl filler. This can be anything from small branches and pinecones, cinnamon sticks, to candy canes, and holiday-themed ornaments.

3. Add your filler

Once you’ve selected your filler items, simply add them to your bowl or container. Be creative with your placement – you can mix and match different fillers, or create a pattern with your items.

4. Add some greenery

To add some extra depth and texture to your display, consider adding some greenery or evergreen branches to your bowl filler.

Christmas Village DIY

Minimalist Christmas Village DIY displayed on a floating shelf

Something about miniature little homes makes me so happy this time of year. The Christmas village is a classic decoration, and is a great DIY Christmas shelf décor idea. I have a simple white village, and added my own touch with a collection of bottle brush trees and twinkle lights. Here are some of my tips for creating an adorable Christmas village this year: 

1. Choose a location

Decide where you want to set up your Christmas village. This could be on a table, open shelf, mantel, or other flat surface. 

2. Plan your layout.

Before you start setting up your village, plan out the layout. Decide which buildings and accessories you want to use and where you’ll place them on your surface. Do you want the tallest building in the middle and shortest on the ends? Or a more a-symmetrical layout? It’s up to you and that’s the fun part. 

3. Place your village and accessories.

Once you’ve placed all your miniature buildings first, then add your accessories like bottle brush trees. I like using a variety of miniature trees in different heights and color variations to create interest.

4. Add lighting

To create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, add some lighting to your village. This could include string lights, LED candles, twinkle lights,  other types of Christmas lights. 

With these steps, you’ll be able to create a beautiful and festive Christmas village that will bring joy and cheer to your home during the holiday season.

Decorating around the TV for Christmas

frosted picks and faux antlers arranged underneath a television decoratively

Decorating around the TV can be a bit tricky, especially because they aren’t the prettiest things in our home, but are a necessity for most of us. With a little bit of creativity, you can create a festive and cozy holiday atmosphere in your living room. Here are some tips for decorating around the TV for the holidays: 

1. Start with a theme 

To create a cohesive and stylish look, start by choosing a theme for your holiday decor. This could be a traditional red and green color scheme, a rustic woodland theme, or a modern black and white palette. 

2. Add garland or greenery

Drape garland or greenery around the TV to add some holiday charm. This could be a simple evergreen garland or something more elaborate, like a string of felted wool balls or a garland made from popcorn or cranberries. I had these frosted picks from Walmart and faux antlers from Michaels.

3. Hang stockings

Hang stockings from the mantel or shelf beneath the TV, if this is your set up. This is a great way to add a festive touch while also keeping things organized and tidy. 

4. Use decorative accents 

Add decorative accents, such as candles, figurines, or ornaments, to the area around the TV. This will help to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. 

5. Incorporate lights 

Add some holiday lights around the TV to create a warm and cozy glow. This could be a string of fairy lights or some battery-operated candles. 

6. Display Christmas cards

Use the area around the TV to display holiday cards from friends and family. This is a great way to add some personal touches to your décor. 

7. Keep it simple

When decorating around the TV, it’s important to keep things simple and uncluttered. Avoid adding too many decorations that could be distracting or overwhelming. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to create a cozy and festive atmosphere around your TV that will bring joy and cheer to your living room during the holiday season.

Christmas Bathroom Ideas

Wooden bathroom vanity tray styled with festive tree decorations and a pine scented candle

When it comes to decorating for the holidays, don’t forget about your bathroom! Adding some festive touches to this often-overlooked space can be a fun and easy way to spread some holiday cheer throughout your home. Here are some tips for decorating your bathroom for Christmas: 

1. Add some holiday towels 

Swap out your regular towels for some festive holiday towels in colors like red, green, and white. 

3. Add holiday touches to your vanity

Add some festive life with greenery like pine boughs or holly branches in a vase to your bathroom vanity.  I like the rustic touch a wood tray adds to our vanity this time of year. I used the rest of my bottle brush tree collection along with a holiday candle to give my bathroom a festive touch.

 3. Incorporate holiday scents 

Use holiday-scented bath products, such as peppermint or gingerbread-scented bubble bath, to add some holiday cheer to your bathroom. 

With these tips in mind, you can easily transform your bathroom into a festive and cozy space that will bring joy and cheer to your home during the holiday season.

In conclusion, DIY Christmas shelf décor is a great way to add a personal touch to your holiday season. Not only is it a fun and creative activity, but it can also save you money and reduce waste. With endless possibilities and a variety of materials to choose from, you can create unique and beautiful decorations that will impress your friends and family. Happy holidays and happy crafting!

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Filed Under: DIY Projects, Home Decorating, Uncategorized

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Courtney C Scholz

    December 21, 2023 at 5:51 pm

    So Beautiful and CALM! Love it!

    Reply
  2. Alicia

    December 21, 2023 at 7:23 pm

    Great ideas! And I love all the different trees in the village.

    Reply
    • GSInteriors

      December 22, 2023 at 5:17 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

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