Candy Cane Candle Centerpiece

Materials:

• Candy canes
• Candle
• Ribbon
• Wood (optional)
• Hot glue gun
• Nail

Directions:
Hot glue the candy canes to the candle.  Wrap ribbon around the candy canes and tie into a bow.  Optional, place the candle on a small piece of wood.  To make it extra sturdy, hammer a 4" nail through the bottom of the wood and then stick the candle on the nail.  This will help to make sure the candle does not slide off the piece of wood.

Creative Money Card

I was trying to think of a creative way to give my Niece and Nephew (they are ages 9 and 5) cash for Christmas.  They also live across the U.S. so I planned to mail it to them.  Instead of just opening a card with cash inside, I wanted it to be a little more exciting for them.  So this is what I came up with...

Start by taping together all of the money. Then roll the money into a tight roll.

Make two small holes towards the top of the card.  Slide a zip-tie through hole #1, then the money, then hole #2.  Close the zip-tie until it tightly secures the money in the card.

Add a little tab by taping it to the final piece of money.  Finish by taping the bottom and sides of the card so it stays sealed shut while they pull the money out of the card.

Small Herb Garden

Fresh herbs add so much flavor, so I like to have a small herb garden with my favorite herbs.  This year I did basil, rosemary, and parsley. 

I've had mint in the past and just as a note if you are considering it, you MUST put it in a seperate container.  Mint spreads quickly and will take over any area that you plant it.  To help keep in contained, just be sure to put it in it's own potted container.

I also love herbs because they take very little maintenance.  Just make sure they get a lot of sun, the soil stays moist and the herbs will continue to produce.

I also made these cute little signs with wine corks and wrote the herb on them with a sharpie marker.

Holiday Card Display

Are you looking for a new way to display all of the holiday cards you receive this year? 

I use ornament hooks to hang the cards on the garland and lights wrapped around my banister.  This way everyone can see them and even pick them up if they want to look closer.

I found the spiral ornament hooks at Deals (40 for $1). 

Keepsake Ornament

This is a great way to turn your wedding invitation, birth announcement, etc. into a keepsake that you can cherrish every Christmas!

Materials Needed:

• glass ornament
• wedding invite or baby announcement or any other meaningful items
• scissors

Directions:
Simply cut the invite into strips, roll them tightly (once they are in the ornament the will loosen and unroll some), then drop it into the ornament. You can add a variety of accents-ribbon, pearls, glitter, charms, beads, sand, flower pedals, etc.