Handmade Holidays

Paper stars are versatile as well as beautiful holiday decorations, looking good in any size, in any colour and anywhere you care to hang them. These ones are ready made from House Doctor, but you can easily make your own—check out this YouTube tutorial to get started.

(photo: house doctor via pinterest)

Handmade Holidays

Each Christmas I buy panettone from the local Italian deli—one of those little traditions that make the holidays so sweet. Take a virtual field trip to Italy with this Saveur article about the town of Pinerolo, where the aroma of panettone fills the air all year round. Or try baking your own, with this recipe for Classic Italian Panettone over at Food 52.

(photo: luisa morón—get her recipe for the panettone in the pic here)

Handmade Holidays

Had to share this sweet DIY Merry Pine Garland by Amy of Homey Oh My while we're all still in holiday decorating mode—tutorial here.

(photo: homey oh my)

Handmade Holidays

Love this idea for low key holiday decorating—mini trees in a row. These ones are from House Doctor, but it's definitely a craft project you could do yourself.

(via bolig)

Handmade Holidays

Pretty and easy to make, this handmade gelt is decorated with cacao nibs, orange zest, and candied ginger before being wrapped up in silver or gold candy papers. Find 24 more Hanukkah dessert recipes over at Martha Stewart here.

(photo: aaron dyer for martha stewart)

Handmade Holidays

Every Monday this month I'll be sharing something you can make or do for the holidays—things that will hopefully make this time of year a little more personal and special. Today it's a tutorial on how to make these lovely asymmetrical organic wreaths—head over to Local Milk here for details.

(photo: local milk)

Handmade Holidays

A Christmas tree doesn't always have to be an evergreen.


(photo: house of pictures via bo bedre)

Handmade Holidays

These Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies are a sophisticated take on a traditional holiday cookie — and ideal to give as gifts or keep on hand for company (if you can manage not to eat them all). Recipe over at modern wifestyle.

(photo: katrin björk of modern wifestyle)

 

Handmade Holidays

These DIY Christmas tree drink stirrers are a cute addition to a holiday party — find out how to make them over at The Merrythought.

(photo via the merrythought)

Handmade Holidays

Throughout the month of December I'll be sharing holiday inspiraton on automatism — beautiful ideas for decorating, gifting, baking and more. Hope it makes the season a little more special for you.

(photo by jeroen van der spek, styling by cleo scheulderman for vt wonen)

Handmade Holidays

Home baked goods are always a welcome part of the holidays, but right now I'm really liking this pretty Cranberry Swirl Bread by Jonathan Stiers of the lovely The Stiers Aesthetic — a nice change from the usual sweet desserts.

(photo by jonathan stiers)

Handmade Holidays

Love this pretty nature-themed holiday table decor — a fresh take on a season that tends towards the sparkly. Great way to get your little ones involved in the decorating, too, either making snowflakes or painting pinecones.

(via deens by way of pinterest)

Handmade Holidays

Love this idea of a group of simple wreaths hung from ribbon in front of a window — so pretty and quite easy to do, too. More here on Femina magazine.

(photo by frederikke heiberg)

Handmade Holidays

Every Wednesday in December, there'll be a Handmade Holidays post, where I'll share an inspiring craft, activity or recipe to make the holiday season a little more personal and fun. Enjoy. To get things started, have a look at this round up of Christmas tree alternatives for small spaces over at Domino.

(photo by michael wiltbank)

Handmade Holidays

Give your home a delectable holiday aroma with lovely homemade simmering spices — recipe here.

(via how sweet it is)

Handmade Holidays

A charming idea for an advent calendar — little matchboxes suspended from a bough, with a thought inside for each day. How to here.

(via the merry thought by way of elle decoration norway)

Handmade Holidays

A pretty holiday idea for a small space — a little greenery, lovely cards photos and a sweet note, displayed simply on a wall. 

(photo and design by erin boyle for gardenista)

Handmade Holidays

Welcome to this year's edition of Handmade Holidays, a series of special gift posts that I'll be running throughout December. Each post will offer an idea on something you can make or do for the holiday season — it might be a pretty gift, decorating inspiration, festive food or even music suggestions to get you in the spirit of things. It's all about getting creative, having fun — and giving from the heart. Hope you enjoy it!

(photo via bakerlady)

Easter Eggs

These gold-dipped marble eggs over at Style Me Pretty are an elegant alternative to the usual pastels seen at this time of year — find out how to make your own here.

(photo via style me pretty)

Handmade Holidays

Feeling crafty? This pretty twisted felt garland is the perfect way to while away a cold December afternoon — and you can adapt it to make bracelets and necklaces for holiday wear, too (great for stocking stuffers). Tutorial over here at Purl Bee.

(photo via purl bee)