Budget Christmas Wrapping

Newspaper and Garden String

Turn yesterday's news into graphic wrapping paper. Pair it with green garden string for an eye-catching combo. I aslo use grocery paper bags and raffia for bows for a natual look, raffia can be purchased in many colors.

Make the Wrap Part of the Gift

Wrap a kitchen gift or present for the foodie on your list in a colorful dish towel.

Map It

For larger gifts, use a map of your hometown, favorite vacation destination or dream getaway — it's the perfect wrap for jet-setters or adventurers on your list.

Mix Textures

Put small pieces of interesting paper to work. Ridged cardboard adds textural interest when paired with brown Kraft paper. Pretty gingham ribbon adds color.

Recycle a Past-Its-Prime Shirt

Cut the back off an old shirt and wrap the shirt front around the gift. Simply secure the sleeves on top with string.

Brown Paper and Woven String

Brown Kraft paper is a great anytime gift-wrap. Keep some on hand for wrapping gifts throughout the year. Give it holiday appeal with red twine or ribbon and fragrant cinnamon sticks.

Tissue Paper and Leaves

Arrange leaves between sheets of recycled tissue paper and secure the wrapping with glue and twine.

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Holiday Decor

Gold and Champagne for the Holidays

Sherri Shepherd's Gold and Champagne Holiday Motif

Designer Michael Russo's holiday theme pays homage to historic Harlem and this home's history as a former restaurant and speakeasy.

White and Silver Christmas

In this incarnation, Father Christmas is dressed all in white and holds silver beads and sprigs of green.

Sherri Shepherd's Gold and Champagne Holiday Motif

Designer Michael Russo decorates Sherri's Harlem brownstone drawing on a jazz-inspired theme. He relies on a color palette of gold, champagne and ivory to complement the home's already warm ambiance.

Trisha Yearwood's Simple Southern Christmas

A Southern-style Christmas is about fresh greenery, fresh fruit, fresh flowers and plenty of good food. Designer Brandon Branch draws on these for inspiration as he makes over Trisha's Nashville home for the holidays.

Trisha Yearwood's Simple Southern Christmas

Through a creative blend of evergreen wreaths, floral bouquets, garlands of magnolia and traditional Christmas ornaments, Brandon Branch transforms Trisha's home into a sea of flowers and holiday greenery.

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Christmas Gift Toppers

Evergreen Foliage and String

Gather a few lengths of string, tie up the gift and tuck a couple of sprigs of foliage under the bow.

Cinnamon Sticks and Braided Raffia

Tie the gift with braided raffia, thread ribbon under it and add a bundle of cinnamon sticks.

Dried Fruits and Raffia

Glue three dried orange slices together in an overlapped row, tie the gift with raffia and glue on the orange slices.

Holly Sprig and Vintage Ribbon

Tie the gift with bright vintage ribbon and tuck a holly sprig with a few berries under the bow.

Pinecones and Raffia

Tie the gift with raffia, wrap a little thin wire around the base of each cone and tie them to the bow.

Ribbon and Buttons

Wrap recycled ribbon around the gift and glue different-sized buttons onto the ribbon.

Raffia and Dried Leaves

Gather a few lengths of raffia, tie the gift and glue a few dried, flattened leaves just under the bow.
This is one of my favorite, the leaves look like a flower!

Threaded Buttons

Thread odd buttons onto a very thin length of ribbon and tie the ribbon around the gift.

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Entertaining/Holiday Table Ideas

Modern Mood

A green and brown table can be a welcome departure from the traditional red and green of the season. Stylishly wrapped gifts serve as place cards.

Time to Sparkle

A holiday table with sparkle is as simple as adding low arrangements of red blooms and laying on the crystal stemware. A decorated mantelpiece contributes to the setting without cluttering the table.

Pattern Plays

Pull that holiday china out of the cupboard and use it often during this festive season. Layer it with your regular china for a lavish look.

Serene Setting

With green as the dominant color, this table is elegant but undeniably festive. A centerpiece of hydrangea blossoms arranged over greenery in the shape of a cake is a surefire conversation starter.

Flight of Fancy

Ornaments make great party favors. A clip-on bird with a feathery tail perches on an overturned compote. I love this idea.

Beautiful Berries

Cranberries aren't just for Thanksgiving. Mounded in a glass bowl, they can serve as a place-card holder.

Classic Christmas

Blue and white china with fresh yellow roses is a classic combination any time of year. During the holidays, add a touch of red detail and evergreen branches for seasonal notes.

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