Christmas Decorating Ideas

This Scandinavian-style greenery "chandelier" is an eye-catching way to draw guests to a holiday cocktail or buffet table.

A bright display for your staircase, using fragrant juniper.

A fragrant and colorful addition to your tabletop.

<>When suspended from the ceiling, this impressive, ornament-laden ring of greens will thrill your guests.

Unwrap a new wreath idea this year. Cover small containers, such as old jewelry boxes, with weatherproof paper, which will hold up outdoors, unlike wrapping paper; seal with all-weather tape. Add decorative bands in contrasting colors, if desired, and tie with ribbon. Attach to a flat wooden wreath form (ours is 18 inches) using a hot-glue gun. Affix a satin bow.

Pinecones and evergreens belong together, especially in holiday garlands. Here, we've shaped them into rosettes.

Lattice-weave baskets tied with red ribbons overflow with evergreen boughs and holly branches.

A delicate-looking wreath that creates the magical effect of candles flickering in the snow is easy to make and surprisingly sturdy.

Delicate snowflakes disappear quickly if brought indoors. To capture their sparkling essence for your holiday party, re-create them in glitter, which won't melt away, on a sheer organza tablecloth overlay.

With their motion frozen in clear glass glitter, coniferous trees and reindeer encircle hurricane lamps lit from within by tall, rose-hued candles. Here, the candleholders are elevated on glass cake stands, then faux snow is dusted around them.

Drape this delicate garland over your mantel, banister, or mirror this holiday season and enjoy this magical -- and long-lasting -- holiday swag well into the new year.

Satin ribbon provides a wide range of shades with which to form these beautiful facsimiles. Their hardiness makes them a delightful choice for a fine (and everlasting) indoor wreath.

Step aside, holly and mistletoe -- or at least make room for something new. The carnation is a surprisingly elegant and easygoing choice for holiday displays. This wreath of white flowers with burgundy-tipped edges offers a warm welcome.

Tiny bulbs create a striking modern display when placed in frosted cylindrical vases. Wrap ribbon around the bottoms of the vases and affix with double-sided tape. Loosely coil a single strand of lights in each vase, and then send the plug end over the back lip of the vase and run it behind so it's hidden. Use lights that have been tested for safety (look on the label), and always unplug the strand when left unattended.