While it is easy to get stressed out about holiday entertaining, remember the most important thing is to take some time to enjoy this special season. Sure, you want the food to be delicious and the table setting to look beautiful, but you also want to be able to enjoy your own party.

One way to slow down and get into the holiday spirit is to set aside some time to create easy-to-make holiday decorations that you can use to make your parties more festive. Handmade wrapping paper and gift tags add a distinctive touch to gifts under the tree, while hand-decorated ornaments and candle holders make great home decorations and terrific party favors.

Decorating guru Genevieve Sterbenz, author of Faux Chic: Creating the Look You Want for Less and Instant Gratification – Cards: Fast and Fabulous Projects, offers holiday decorating tips that are fun for the whole family.

As Genevieve points out, “you don’t have to be a crafting diva to have a handmade holiday. You can easily find the supplies for these simple projects at any craft or discount store, and best of all; you don’t need any special skills.” Here’s Sterbenz’ suggestion for what to include in your crafting toolbox. “You’ll use these items over and over again,” she says. “Store your craft supplies in a plastic bin so you always know where to find them. And Pilot Gold & Silver Markers make a great addition to any craft tool kit.”

* Pilot Pen Gold and Silver Markers
* Different types of glue and a hot glue gun
* Colored paper and card stock
* Rubber stamps in a variety of motifs and ink pads
* Glitter
* A good pair of scissors
* Decorative touches such as crystals, beads, feathers, pine cones and greenery

Put these items to good use in the following easy-to-do holiday projects.

Crystal Bright Ornaments – These personalized handmade ornaments are simple to make and great fun for kids to create. Featuring a crimson feather encased in a clear glass ball ornament, then personalized with the recipient’s name and dusted with glitter, they will quickly become family keepsakes. You’ll need a clear glass ball ornament with a removable metal cap, a red feather, micro glitter in red, 1/2 yard red velvet ribbon (1/2-inch wide), scissors and a Pilot gold marker.

Directions: Remove the cap from the ornament. Insert the feather into the neck of the ornament, fluffy end first, until the entire feather is inside the ball. Leave the quill end resting in the neck of the ornament. Sprinkle in a pinch of glitter and replace the cap. Handwrite a name or a holiday phrase on the front of the ornament. Run the ribbon through the hook in the cap and tie a bow.

Shimmering Candle Holders – These embellished candle votives can become festive tokens of appreciation, or used at home to create a warm, holiday atmosphere. You’ll need candle holders in clear or holiday colors, and Pilot silver and gold markers.

Directions: Wash and dry votive holders. Use markers to draw a design or message of your choice directly on the glass – such as “Peace” or “Joy.” Add a balsam-scented candle for the perfect seasonal gift. Line up a row of decorated votive holders on a mirror for a great table centerpiece. Use larger candle holders on your mantle, or use them to dress up the buffet table.

Snowflake Napkin Rings – Inexpensive napkin rings can be easily crafted for holiday feasts, and kids will love working their magic with modeling clay. You’ll need a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, a rolling pin, oven-baked polymer clay in pastel blue, a toothpick, a snowflake-shaped cookie cutter, a wooden skewer, gold and silver markers, and 1/2 yard of satin ribbon in coordinating color (1/4-inch wide).

Directions: Line the cookie sheet with aluminum foil and set it aside. Use the rolling pin to roll out the clay ¼-inch thick on a clean, flat work surface. Press the cookie cutter into the clay and lift it up. Use a toothpick to create your own impressions within the clay as desired, and place on the lined cookie sheet. Use the skewer to poke a hole in the center of the snowflake. Follow manufacturer’s directions for baking the clay. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and allow the clay to cool. If you previously created impressions on the clay, trace the markers over the designs to add sparkle and color. To turn the snowflake into a napkin ring, tie a 10” piece of ribbon around a rolled-up napkin, then thread the ribbon ends through the center hole to the front side and tie a double knot to finish. Trim ribbon ends to finish. The napkin rings can also be used as place cards. The clay shapes make wonderful tree ornaments and package decorations as well.

Pilot Pen’s Gold and Silver Markers come in medium and fine point and are available at Staples, Office Depot, Rite Aid, Fred Meyer, Meijer, Albertsons, Brooks, Wal-Mart and other fine retail outlets. More of Genevieve’s Tips, images and ideas are available at SterbenzSparkleTips@gmail.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content