Ways To Get Ideas For Creative New Christmas Decorations

If you're anything like me, you're house and Christmas decorations seem to look the same every year. Tell yourself that this is the year that you change things. Don't necessarily do away with what has been a tradition in your family, just look for new and creative ways to add to it. The question is, where do you come up with new ideas?

As we approach Christmas, everyone's looking for their Christmas decorations and new Christmas decorating ideas. It's such a wonderful time of year, a magical season where thoughts of peace on earth, kind feelings and laughter abound. Let's look at some ideas to kindle your creative side.

Going to a production of the Nutcracker Suite is a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Many theaters in large cities sell unusual, Nutcracker-themed Christmas decorations in their gift shop.

Go to the mall, right after Thanksgiving. Their lavish displays can help inspire you with new ideas for Christmas decorations.

Baking cookies can do double duty if you set aside a portion of the batch to make into ornaments. Use a pencil to poke a hole for ribbon hanging before baking. Cookies and Christmas decorations in one fun activity.

Bake a gingerbread house. There are many recipes and patterns available in magazines. Use a variety of small candies, candy canes, gel icing, frosting and other edibles. String popcorn to use as "lights" for roof edging.

The best thing about any ideas that involve cooking is that they become family activities. Even my boys love to help with cooking as long as we're making something fun like Christmas cookies. They won't come anywhere near me if I'm cooking a roast.

Outside lighting is one of my favorite Christmas decoration projects. If you have a porch or balcony, try weaving strings of lights around railings. Trees can be transformed into living Christmas decorations. There's no reason a potted plant on your balcony cannot be given the same treatment.

If your apartment is on the fourth floor, and you have no porch or balcony, use a staple gun (do not staple through the wire!) to dress your windows from the inside. Very pretty!

Many communities have whole neighborhoods participating in blocks of Christmas decorations and light displays. Visit one for inspiration if you have the opportunity. Kids love them.

In fact that's another one of our favorite family activities. Every year on Christmas Eve we gather everybody in the van and drive around the well decorated neighborhoods. Not only is it a beautiful sight, but it's a great way to get ideas for next years decorating at my house. Just be sure to write down you ideas or you'll likely forget them before next year rolls around.

The Nativity is one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations. An oval-shaped mirror placed beneath brings this display to life. Think of places in your home where this might be shown to best advantage. A buffet, coffee table, mantel or entry hall are good locations.

Make a wreath. Make garlands. String cranberries and popcorn for garlands or the Christmas tree. Explore the dried flower aisles of a craft store. You'll find many combinations of colors and textures to make festive vase displays in each room of your home.

Poinsettia and Christmas cactus plants make beautiful Christmas decorations. If you take good care of them, they last for years.

Craft stores carry many types of wreath bases, and more Christmas decorations than you can shake a stick at! Many craft stores have handouts with pictures and instructions of Christmas decorations you can make with their products.

Christmas decorating ideas are all around you if you'll just open your eyes and look. Stores can give you ideas for Christmas table decorations. That doesn't mean you have to buy the one on display. Just use it as inspiration to make your own. Yes your house can look great full of cheap Christmas decorations.

Now's the time to get busy! Spread the joy!