DIY Christmas Decor – Luminaries are created using frosted cylinder vases and white twinkle lights.

Loosely coil a single strand of clear mini-lights on a white cord in each vase. Run the plug end over the back edge of the vase and behind it so the cord is out of view.  Of course, always use lights that have been safety tested (read the label), and always unplug the strand when the display is left unattended.

This idea is great for a stand alone vase, but looks even better when vases of varying sizes are grouped, as shown above.  When combining vases into a group, always use odd numbers for the most powerful visual effect.

You could also use vases of the same height and display them in a row for a different look.

The bottoms of these vases have gold ribbon wrapped around the bottoms and affixed with double-sided tape. A second ribbon (narrow) is the fastened over the first to give more visual interest.

Such an easy DIY Christmas decor idea, but it looks so sophisticated!  Photo Credit: Martha Stewart

Colorful Christmas Tree Decor packs a powerful visual punch, especially when you combine purple, pink and blue (with gold accents). What a striking color combination, and it looks fabulous on a Christmas Tree.

The gold accents are really essential. They add that necessary bit of glam that really makes this look pop. We love the way the toss pillows on the sofa coordinate with the Christmas tree decorations so perfectly.

The candle arrangement on the cocktail table is so pretty and such a perfect match for the tree. A silver and gray feather weather encircles three candles –  two ivory pillar candles of differing heights and a shorter gold pear shaped candle. A few pine cones are lightly sprayed gold and added around the wreath for festive embellishment, along with some elongated decorative glittered gold leaves.

Then pink and purple glass balls are positioned around the wreath for that powerful punch of color.

And for the perfect Christmas Tree topper – purple, blue and gold feathers spraying up from the top of the tree.

This color combination has definite feel good factor. Makes you want to steal this Christmas tree decor idea for your tree, doesn’t it?

A dining room (0ne of several) at the White House, decorated for Christmas 2012. It looks so… well, relatively normal. You could almost picture any family sitting down to Christmas dinner here… (well, any middle-upper class family…).  Its kind of intimate in its own way. And very traditional.  Can’t you just see the Obama’s sitting here for Christmas dinner? And the President sneaking turkey scraps to Bo (their dog) under the table…?

How does your Christmas dining room decor compare to this…? Do you prefer this dining room to yours for Christmas?

Christmas Decor in Words… a wonderful Christmas decor idea. And these are the most important words of all.

This plaque from Dayspring, fashioned and stylized to look like a Christmas gift, bears the most important message of all at the Christmas season, and an important reminder: “Jesus is the Gift”.

May we all remember this as we get caught up in all the festivities and activities of the Christmas season.

What a wonderful idea to incorporate into your Christmas decor.

Capture imagination with these out door Christmas ideas to create a candle-scape using old fashioned lanterns in your front yard.

Clustered on a table, a mix of lanterns greets holiday guests as they come up the walk to the front door. Be sure to include a range of different styles and sizes of lanterns for better visual interest. Elevate some lanterns if required to vary heights.

Sprinkle in natural items for embellishment like twigs, rocks, pine cones and small evergreen branches.

And of course, always abide by candle safety precautions and use care when using candles. Never leave a burning candle unattended.