Getting your home ready for the holidays goes beyond hanging a stocking or trimming a tree. With family and friends spending extra time together, why not create a feeling of coziness around the house? The Danes have a word for this warm winter mood: “hygge” (pronounced ”hooga”). This word loosely translates to taking pleasure in soothing things and enjoying a comforting, warm atmosphere at home with loved ones. There are many ways to get in the spirit, without spending a lot. Here are our favorite “holiday hacks” using common household items.
Display Your Good Cheer
If you have a gallery wall in a hallway or gathering room, greet your guests with this easy decor hack: Swap out the photos or artworks in the frames with some in a seasonal spirit. Use colorful greeting cards saved from years past, treasured holiday photos or photos of friends, kids’ winter drawings or snowflake cut-outs, bits of wrapping paper, or festive words!
Roll Out The Fun
Cold weather calls for indoor activities—it’s the perfect opportunity to gather the gang together for a night of games or movies. If you’ve got a bar cart, turn it into a mobile command center and wheel the fun anywhere. Load it with your favorite board games or movies! Stock it with snacks like fresh popcorn, festive cookies, or hot cocoa. You can decorate it with a mini potted tree, garland for a festive flair, or add chalkboard sign.
Wonder at Winter
Bring a little holiday magic into any room with a glowing snowy scene on a mantle, shelf, or tabletop. Collect an assortment of candles, lanterns, strings of lights, holiday-themed salt and pepper shakers, figurines, or even small toys. Nestle your festive items among “snow drifts” made of cotton or a piece of white fabric to craft a fun display (be sure to use non-flammable LED candles or electric lights or wax warmers for safety).
Share The Warmth
Hosting a holiday meal? Here’s a way to make it even more memorable! Personalize inexpensive ornaments and hang them on the back of chairs to mark each place in lieu of traditional place cards. Guests can keep them for their own holiday décor and remember the special time you spent together. Add on a cozy fleece throw at each place for loved ones to take home at the end of the evening—you’ll warm their hearts and keep them toasty all winter long.
End on a High Note
For a fancy finish to a dinner party, buffet, or open house, serve sweets from an elevated dessert station presentation. Stack small plates on top of overturned bowls on larger plates to create a tiered effect. Raise a dish on a pedestal made from a pillar candle holder, or layer a small plate on top of another larger plate in a contrasting pattern. Mix and match holiday themes and colors, if you have them. This display isn’t just a pleasing aesthetic—the goodies will be even easier to reach!
Inspired by the hacks you see here? All of these products are from the affordable Better Homes and Gardens collection at Walmart. Visit www.walmart.com/betterhomesandgardens for these and other beautiful holiday items for your home!