A Homemade Christmas. Tina Barseghian

that can be sewn can be turned into a lovely sock. Just turn the two cut-out pieces of fabric inside out and sew the pieces together with a sewing machine or with a very secure hand stitch. Then, hem the edge of the open top. Turn your stocking right side out, and it’s ready to go.

      SWEATER SLEEVE STOCKING

      1. Choose a sweater that you don’t wear anymore and cut off the sleeve.

      2. Sew one end of the sleeve together securely, so it can hold all of the goodies.

      3. Pick out a contrasting or complementary yarn and whipstitch a decorative edge that will also prevent any unraveling.

      4. Embellish as you wish.

Hang an Alternative Stocking

      In lieu of the classic felt or knit stocking, try mixing it up with these fun alternatives.

      Refresh the tradition of the Christmas stocking by choosing an unconventional container for your stocking stuffers. You might be inspired by different cultural traditions, decorating themes, or personal enthusiasms. Just as you would a traditional stocking, hang them from the mantel, a stairway, window ledge, or doorframe; or place them on a side table.

      Red silk slippers: This exotic option can be found in most Chinatown shops or on the Internet. Simply sew a loop around the heel end of the slipper, hang it with a ribbon or some twine, and fill with goodies.

      Striped athletic socks: For the sporty family, here’s a clever substitute. Choose white socks with red or green stripes to match the holiday décor.

      Oven mitts: Perfect for any cooking enthusiast, an oven mitt is sturdy, colorful, and roomy enough to hold a lot of Christmas loot. The large thumb slot is also a great place to hide that small yet special gift.

      Christmas tights: Red-and-white striped tights will look especially cute when the feet are filled with bulging goodies. Children’s sizes should have plenty of room for stretch.

      Rubber boots: Most colorful galoshes have hooks at the top, so they should be easy enough to hang. Just don’t feel pressured to fill the entire boot with treats!

      Clogs: It is believed that the Dutch actually started the “stocking” tradition by leaving their clogs—stuffed with carrots and straw for the reindeer—by the hearth for Santa Claus to fill with treats. Why not go Dutch and set out clogs?

Decorate with Leaves and Branches

      Let nature decorate your home during the holidays with leaves and branches.

      The sculptured shapes of bare branches, artfully arranged in your home, can make a stunning display. Leafy evergreen boughs bring the outdoors in—and smell delightful.

      Miniature trees: Sculptural branches that look like miniature trees (with plenty of offshoots where ornaments can hang) can be found on the ground in your yard or at the local park. Once you find the perfect branch, pluck off any residual leaf matter, then place it in a vase that will hold its weight (no water necessary, of course). Try spray painting the branch white for a more elegant look. You can leave it bare, and enjoy the shape as is, or decorate with ornaments.

      Pine: The aroma of pine boughs immediately evokes Christmas. Drape full branches across your fireplace mantel, bedroom bureau, or kitchen counter au naturel, or fancy them up with little red and silver ball ornaments.

      Holly and Mistletoe^*: Symbolic of everlasting life (along with ivy which all stay green throughout the winter), holly and mistletoe are holiday favorites. The sharply scalloped edges and bright red berries of holly branches make them ideal for display. Use florists’ wire, which is readily found at craft and hobby stores, to make an arrangement (a posy or spray). Hang mistletoe from a well-placed doorway, with a long red or silver ribbon to make it noticeable.

      Incorporating brightly colored fruit into the décor is many an interior designer’s secret weapon. Fill a deep, clear vase with oranges or apples and use it as a natural centerpiece. Or nestle winter fruits like oranges, clementines, and pears among pine boughs for cheerful pops of color.

Weave a Wreath

      Symbolic of the circle of life, wreaths are welcoming and festive.

      You can be creative with the type of wreath you want to make, and where you want to hang it. Hang one on your front door, on an interior door, in a big picture window, from a staircase, or on a fence in your yard. Table wreaths can be centerpieces, candle surrounds, or simply ornamental.

      Start with a base, readily available at craft stores in styles from natural (grapevine or willow) to manufactured (wire or foam), or make it yourself. Then affix your wreath materials using florists’ wire, hot glue, or twine.

      Greens: Pine boughs, eucalyptus, bay leaves, ivy—the smell of fresh boughs or herbs will waft through the house when you hang a fresh green wreath. You can also add a few carefully placed white or silver ornaments.

      Dried: Dried flower or foliage wreaths have a vintage feeling that is especially charming over the holidays. Choose “everlasting” blooms or leaves that keep their color when dried—whether roses from your own garden or classic stems, such as yarrow, that you can find at craft stores. For an especially rustic feel, try incorporating some raffia leaves.

      Personalized: Wreath embellishments are limited only by your imagination, so why not make a wreath that reflects your personal interests or style? Any object, multiplied by two dozen or more and attachable to a circular frame, can be used to make a wreath. Possible wreath materials include peacock feathers, Christmas lights, extension cords, ball ornaments, beads, gumdrops, buttons, crocheted doilies, paper leaves, silver-sprayed zip ties, small pieces of driftwood, tiny wrapped gifts, soaps, and even Barbie dolls!

      Miniature: Using twigs from your own yard, construct mini wreaths to encircle candles. Or attach a ribbon loop and hang them from doorknobs.

      Even the simplest of wreaths can be enhanced with taffeta, velvet, or silk ribbon tied in a large, lovely bow. If your bow-tying skills are lacking, just take your chosen ribbon to the local florist—make sure there is plenty of ribbon for the florist to work with. For a minimal fee, the florist will tie a beautiful bow for you and add wire to the back so it can easily attach to your wreath.

Grow a Holiday Plant

      Bring your home to life with winter blooms.

      Fresh-cut flowers are beautiful, but ephemeral—a Christmas plant, however, will keep on blooming through the season and beyond. Pot one of these traditional winter-blooming plants in a fetching container; keep it watered and happy during the year, and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful blooms that flower just in time for the holidays. Plant it outdoors after the holiday season is over and watch it thrive in your yard.

      Poinsettia^*