hanging up holiday cheer by the yard

Get your people together for a crafty afternoon to make handmade garlands.

- KATHY BARNES

These projects use simple household items and basic crafts store supplies that will have you snipping, painting, and threading your way to a happier holiday.

felt ribbon candy

This garland is as pretty (and tempting) as those classic ribbon candies in Grandma's cut-crystal dish. A double layer of folded felt creates the striped look of the original. Beads-some painted and others wrapped with yarn-look like gumballs and peppermints.

paper bag poinsettias

Grocery sacks are the ideal weight to make boughs of poinsettia-inspired flowers and holly leaves. Painted flower shapes get some seasonal bling with metallic cardstock centers. Add shimmery highlights on the leaves with a gold paint pen.