Filed under: Your Home, Projects, Fun Stuff, Holidays
It's the holidays! So why settle for the boring old overhead bulbs you rely on 365 days a year? Try any of these six chic, easy ways to warm up and light up your home this holiday season.The temps may be dropping, but that doesn't mean your home's lighting has to leave you cold. Wrap your indoor spaces in a blanket of warmth (not to mention a little bit of drama) with the help of these holiday lighting tips.
Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day; Thomas Loof for Real Simple.
Holiday Lighting Alternative #1: Faux Tabletop Candles
Everyone loves the look of a long table filled with family and aglow with dozens of tea lights. But with all that reaching and passing of delicious dishes, it can be a bit dangerous to be maneuvering around that many open flames. Thankfully, you can now incorporate LED lanterns and tea lights into your table setting, which create the same cozy atmosphere, without the fire hazard.
Holiday Lighting Alternative #2: Ball of Light
A surprising way to bring a glow to your home, a literal ball of light is also really easy to make. According to Real Simple, all you'll need is a bunch of strands of lights in any color you choose, and a dark plastic or rubber kid's ball about 12 inches in diameter. Wrap the first strand of lights around the ball as if you're winding yarn, rotating as you go. Connect the plug of the first string to the second strand of lights and keep winding. As you wrap, try to double back when you near the end of a strand so that all the cord connections are close together and easy to hide.
Holiday Lighting Alternative #3: Strings of Light
No longer reserved for wedding receptions and college dorm rooms, twinkle light strings are making a comeback in interior spaces, mostly in thanks to the increasing number of styles available. Some fan favorites include strings of paper lanterns, as well as more sophisticated styles like crystal and chandelier-type designs. But don't be afraid to create a dreamy look with the classic string of simple white lights, especially now that you can find them in LED styles that won't get too hot for indoor use.
Getty Images; KLRDesigns.
Holiday Lighting Alternative #4: Fireplace Candles
If you're the proud owner of a non-working fireplace, you can still create a warming effect with a display of burning candles. You can purchase a candelabra designed to fit into the hearth of a fireplace, but you can also create your own candle platform from pieces of flat wood and a standard log rack. Or you can simply place candles of alternating heights directly on the floor of the fireplace. Just make sure you choose candles with wide bottoms that can stand up on their own.
Holiday Lighting Alternative #5: Glowing Luminaries
We know you already have your outdoor holiday covered, but why not bring the look of candle luminaries indoors? Opaque jars or votives make great holders for tiny tea lights that will instantly warm up a space. We love the look of long rows of luminaries lined up along a windowsill or mantel -- a modern (and safer) twist on the classic look of holiday candles.
Holiday Lighting Alternative #6: Lights in a Jar
Creating a centerpiece or focal point for your home is easy with this casual, one-step design. Simply pile strings of white holiday lights into colored glass vessels and turn them upside down on the table. Another idea: Purchase a battery operated string of lights (any color will do) and bunch them into an oversized candle hurricane or mason jar.
Check out the rest of ShelterPop's Thanksgiving coverage!
Or if you're looking for crafts, our sister site Holidash has a fantastic video on corn table crafts!
And of course no Thanksgiving is complete without KitchenDaily's amazing Thanksgiving recipes.