'Tis the season to upcycle

From handmade adornments to uses for everyday items, we've unwrapped a box full of creative ideas to refresh your festive season decorating. Trust us, yule love them all.

- By Mandy Allen

1. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

Set the scene for a personalised Christmas that celebrates creativity, thrifty repurposing and crafty tweaks to give old objects a new life.

The idea

Fancy candles can be eye-wateringly expensive. Impress your guests with a quick DIY that's merry and bright!

How to

Spray-paint the bottom ends of traditional white tapered dinner candles in shades of Pop Art pink and blue - or whatever works with your decorative theme.

The idea

Have a drawer full of paint swatches? Create colourful garlands to string across the fireplace, on a wall or to drape around the Christmas tree.

How to

Cut paint swatch cards into square pieces following the natural divide between the shades. Use a paper punch to make neat holes and string them up with festive twine or ribbon.

2. MERRY & BRIGHT

The idea

Level up your pinecone game with some spray paint. Neons, pastels or neutrals? That is the question...

How to

• Experiment with colour-blocking, ombre colour grading, metallics or solid shades by choosing spray paint in a few complementary or artfully clashing bright colours.

• Be sure to do your spraying in a well-ventilated area.

• Dab a paint brush into fine glitter and add sparkly highlights to the pinecone while it's still marginally wet.

• These can be hung up by attaching metallic string or thread, stacked in a clear glass vase or scattered on flat surfaces as part of a festive vignette.

TOP TIP

Remove the plastic or metal caps and hanger string from broken or worse-for-wear Christmas baubles, balls and ornaments and stick them onto your pinecones (or any other handmade festive decorations) using superglue or a hot glue gun.