Festive holiday accents

Stuck for a unique gift idea to complete your shopping list? Perhaps you are looking for a hostess gift or merely some final touches to add to your own holiday décor?

No need to fret. No need to sweat. These ideas are a sure bet.

Whether you prefer your holiday décor over-the-top or opt for a subtle decorating scheme, these gift ideas compliment any style.

For glitzy gifts, gold charger plates at ($7.95 each) can be used to display an array of pillar candles surrounded by decorative crushed ice ($11.95) or decorative snow. And voilà, a quick decorative project in minutes. For the décor enthusiast on your gift list, buy all the ingredients, and wrap them up. For a festive variation with an original edge, replace the candles with tall stem glasses in various heights at the centre of the charger plate, fill them with crystal gel, add floating candles and shimmering sparkles. Instead of placing small wreaths in a bay window, or above the mantel, use silver beaded snowflakes ($7.95 each).

For creative contemporary gifts, silver glass votive holders and vases are sure to do the trick. These elegant beauties are so versatile they can be used all year and can be integrated into almost any décor. For the holidays, simply add red or white spiral branches. The small votive holders are $12 each, the vases are $30.

For a traditional look with a modern edge, go for a Holly Hurricane vase for $17, which contains cranberries. You can fill it with holiday items like coloured Christmas balls, crystal gel, decorative snow, sand or rocks.

For a touch of nostalgia, garnish a mantel, a shelf or a window with exquisite glass icicles. The large icicles are $2.95 each and the small ones are $1 each. I added snowflake bits (available at craft stores) with double-stick tape to the smaller icicles.

Holiday Decorating Tips

Bring the outdoors in with greenery throughout the house. Use fresh elements like pine or juniper branches, poinsettias and eucalyptus seed sprigs. You can place greenery over picture frames with a bow for a simple yet stylish touch. If purchasing artificial greenery, invest in quality rather than in quantity, so that it can be reused. Pinecones, cinnamon sticks and nuts can be painted gold, copper or silver.

Candles are essential to set a festive mood, and make great gifts. You can never have too many. Adding beads, beaded cuffs, wire or gold leafing can turn plain candles into works of art. Pretty paper can be glued to plain glass votive holders to transform them into gifts. Ice candle-holder moulds can be used to light up a welcome path. And try adding cranberries to a floating candle display.

Gift wrapping can be done with fabrics, holiday dish towels, tablecloths or wallpaper. The gifts can be embellished with beads, wire, fancy wool, plain hemp string or with basic paper snowflake cut-outs.

Treat yourself to a new keepsake each year. Some people collect Christmas villages, snow globes or old-world Santa dolls. I like to add a new snowman to my collection on the mantel and surround it with a fresh garland of pine branches and berries.

When buying decorative items, ask yourself whether they can be integrated into everyday décor. Clear glass vases, for example, will suit your home year-round.

Happy holidays!