60 best DIY Christmas ideas on the internet

From the tree to the table, these awesome ideas will bring the holiday spirit.

60 best DIY Christmas ideas on the internet

You’ve put up the Christmas tree, right? Posted all your Christmas cards, organised thoughtful gifts for your nearest and dearest, and planned the perfect menu for a light Christmas lunch (which will follow festive brunch with the neighbours before festive dinner at your in-laws)?

Oh, not yet? Don’t worry – nor have we, so we’ve pulled together the best festive hacks and Christmas themed DIY ideas we could find to make silly season celebrations a cinch.

DIY Christmas trees

1. Scandi style Christmas tree

Chic minimal Scandi style Christmas tree DIY
This minimal Christmas tree DIY is subtle but stylish. Image by The Merrythought for West Elm

Sometimes less is more! This chic Scandi style Christmas tree is perfect for adding the holiday spirit to any small space with minimal effort. All you need is a petite tree, a woven basket and a few fairy lights. Caitlin and Manda from The Merrythought put together this minimal Christmas tree DIY for West Elm. Check out the step by step tutorial here.

2. Modern Christmas tree

Colourful modern Christmas tree DIY
A mini forest of modern Christmas trees! Image by A Kailo Chic Life

Christmas needn’t be a traditional affair. Give your festive decorations a modern twist with a forest of mini Christmas trees in your favourite colours. To create this eye-catching DIY project, you’ll need paper mache cones. (You can find these at educational suppliers or craft stores like Spotlight). You’ll also need aerosol paint and metallic pens in copper or gold for painterly splashes to complete the look. Kara explains exactly what’s involved in her blog A Kailo Chic Life.

3. Fairy lights

Fairy light Christmas tree DIY
Luminous lights for a glowing Christmas. Image by A Pair and a Spare

It might be too hot for a fire on Christmas day in the Southern Hemisphere, but you can add an inviting glow to your living room with a luminous fairy light tree. Visit A Pair & A Spare where Geneva gives super easy to follow step-by-step instructions on how to assemble a fairy light Christmas tree on pine wood backing. Can’t fit 3m of plywood in your house? You could also attach 3M hooks directly to your wall in the shape of a tree then thread through a string of fairy lights for instant ambience.

4. Hanging herbs

Bunches of herbs hanging on string in tree shape
Festive and fragrant hanging herb tree. Image by Michael Wiltbank

An aromatic and rustic alternative to a traditional Christmas tree, this novel DIY is perfect for foodies. Bundle up your favourite herbs (make sure to pick varieties such as Rosemary or Sage that will dry well – no one wants droopy Parsley). Then, hang them with twine from a picture rail or wooden dowel. Bonus, this will come in handy if you run out of herbs while preparing Christmas dinner!

5. Cactus Christmas tree

Cactus Christmas tree with pom poms
Move aside pinetree! Image by Sugar & Cloth

Move aside, pinetree! You can transform any indoor plant into a Christmas tree with the addition of some pom poms, tinsel or other festive accoutrements. Sugar & Cloth prickles our fancy by transforming a humble cactus into a Christmas tree alternative with brightly coloured trim and super cute pom pom trim – check out their easy DIY instructions here!  Can we keep our plants decorated all year? Get some inspo on which plant to choose with our tips on the best indoor plants for Aussie homes.

6. Geometric Balsa wood

Balsa wood geometric Christmas tree DIY ornaments
Sleek and chic geometric wooden trees. Image by Fiddle and Spoon

Ensure Christmas is a classy affair with a modern minimalist balsa wood tree via Fiddle and Spoon. Chic and architectural, this DIY project promises a luxurious final product that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end boutique. These tree-riffic designs also make great table decorations when created in miniature. Customise the colours to match your décor.

7. Party fringing

Fringed Christmas tree DIY pastel and gold
Bring the party with festive fringing. Image by A Bubbly Life

Have a penchant for pastels? Then yule love A Bubbly Life’s fringed Christmas trees in mint green and bubblegum pink. Laurel shows us how easy it is to start with cardboard or paper mache cones. Just cover with fringing created from cut-up tissue paper strips. This DIY also works great with metallic tinsel if you’re looking for something with more glitz and glam.

8. Mini vignette Christmas tree

Tiny Christmas tree vignette DIY
A tiny-space tree. Image by Stone Gable

Apartment dwellers may not have halls to deck with holly, but they needn’t miss out on spreading Christmas cheer! Bring the fun of the silly season to a small space with this idea shared by Stone Gable. Check out the tutorial, complete with a list of all of the household items you could use to put together this fun-sized festive scene here.

DIY Christmas decorations

9. Bauble wreath

bauble wreath in provincial style farmhouse
Go big or go home with this bold bauble wreath! Image by Sweet Pickins

Your front door is sure to become the talk of the neighbourhood if you recreate this fun idea from Sweet Pickins. Steal a few of your kids’ pool noodles, invest in an abundance of baubles (Kmart has a great range), fire up a hot glue gun then get glueing to create this show-stopping wonder. We love the rainbow effect Sweet Pickins has created, but this DIY would also look great in one block colour.

10. Minimalist wreath

minimal Christmas wreath with candle
Clean and elegant Christmas style. Image by These Four Walls

Between presents, decorations and social occasions, most of us tend to go a bit overboard on Christmas. Cut through the clutter and give your back pocket a break with a chic and minimal wreath that can be assembled in minutes, and with very few materials, thanks to this step-by-step guide from These Four Walls.

11. Horizontal wreath

Horizontal wreath above table set for Christmas dinner
Elevate your table setting by elevating the decorations. Image by The White Company

Love a pendant light? How about a pendant wreath? This clever idea by The White Company is a stylish twist on a traditional decoration. For this suspended showstopper, you’ll need a wreath, some rope and a strong ceiling hook (hire a handyman if you can’t hang one yourself). Check out these Christmas table decoration ideas for more inspo. And, bonus, more space on the table for Christmas dinner! No complaints here.

12. Advent calendar

numbered brown envelopes in a basket
An exciting way to count down the days until Christmas. Image by Simplify Create Inspire

An advent calendar can make every morning feel like Christmas morning. Design your advent calendar however you want – be it with brown paper bags or bottle caps. Simplify Create Inspire has loads of ideas worth checking out. Fill up your advent calendar with notes, chocolates, and trinkets for your child or partner. What better way to count down the days until Christmas?

13. Mason jar lid and bauble wreath

bauble wreath in shape of Christmas tree on door
A little rustic, a little sparkly. Image by Funky Junk Interiors

A fresh wreath will generally last around two-three weeks maximum depending on how well you take care of it, and how much Mother Nature decides to crank up the heat during December. For an option that lasts forever and is a fresh take on tradition, this DIY is for you. Check out the full tutorial by Donna at Funky Junk Interiors here.

14. Tinsel wreath

Ho Ho Ho tinsel Christmas wreath
A very merry Christmas wreath. Image by Happy Thought

Your days will be extra merry with a tinsel wreath positioned above your mantlepiece! A cheap and cheerful DIY project, a tinsel wreath can be assembled in under ten minutes (which leaves you extra time to shop for all of those last-minute gifts!). Visit Happy Thought for the full tutorial, plus ideas on customising your creation.

15. Marble baubles

blue marbled Christmas baubles
Beautiful contemporary baubles. Image by Melissa Fenlon

According to DIY enthusiasts Alice and Lois, it only takes five minutes to make these stunning marble baubles! A must-do-DIY for anyone with a penchant for marble, these gorgeous baubles can be done in any colour to suit your festive decor. Visit Alice and Lois for the full DIY, plus plenty of other crafty Christmas ideas!

16. Clothespeg snowflakes

Glitter Christmas DIY ornaments made from clothes pegs
Sparkly snowflake stars. Image by Dream a Little Bigger

You can make Christmas ornaments from just about anything, as Allison from Dream a Little Bigger shows in this DIY project. Steal a few pegs from the washing line, and grab some glitter and glue to transform an everyday household item into a beautiful Christmas tree decoration! These stunning stars would also make great present toppers when attached to a gift with ribbon.

17. Personalised baubles

Easy-to-make personalised baubles. Image from Girl about townhouse

As you may know, we love a good #kmarthack, so we were impressed when we saw these lovely Christmas baubles! Caroline from Girl about townhouse says all you need is a bauble, sharpie, and some pretty ribbon. Spell out the name or initial of your loved one, and there you have it! A beautiful ornament you can also use as a fancy gift tag.

18. Painted pinecones

pink painted pinecones with glitter in vase
Pinecones with a pop of colour. Image by ShabbyFuFu

Hunting for the easiest Christmas DIY ever? Call off the search! Just forage for some pinecones (or twigs, or pampas grass, or palm leaves), pop down to Bunnings and grab some metallic spray paint then spray to your heart’s content! Instant luxe with natural charm and the possibilities are endless. Add them to a vase, arrange in a bowl or scatter over the table as a festive centerpiece. For tips on how to paint pinecones, visit ShabbyFufu.

19. Snowglobe terrarium jars

Snowglobes in jars
Snowglobe terrariums the little ones will love. Image by Jamie Silver

Part snowglobe, part terrarium, this is a great use for all those jars you’ll have leftover from feastive-season nibbles. Jamie Silver shows her process in this simple step-by-step guide.

20. Luminaire centrepieces

Berry and foliage tea light candle holders for Christmas
DIY candle holders that are totally lit. Image by Today’s Creative Life

December days are guaranteed to be lit with these simple yet effective centrepieces. Round up some mason jars, tea lights, greenery and cranberries and voila, your table is ready for Christmas lunch! Kim from Today’s Creative Life explains how to make these 5-minute DIYs here.

21. Ice light candle holders

tea light candles in ice holders with leaves
Fabulously frost candle holders. Image by Bo Bedre

While we’re not sure how long these would actually last on a hot Christmas night in Australia, we think these ice lights are super cool! Check out the tutorial from Bo Bedre here (just FYI it’s in Norwegian so you’ll have to translate!). For a longer lasting version of this fabulously frosty DIY, we recommend making the bases from resin with help from this tutorial.

22. Gold handlettering ornaments

Writing on bauble with gold marker
Stylish gold hand lettered baubles. Image by Ting and Things

There is something so elegant about gold lettering. In addition to making your own tree look fab, these glittering ornaments also make a great gift for friends, family and colleagues. Lorita at Ting and Things shows how easy it is to make these stylish DIY ornaments. Find the full list of supplies and instructions here.

23. Clay Christmas ornaments

clay Christmas ornaments
Simple and elegant. Image by A Pretty Fix

These clay ornaments have that perfect handmade look. Aren’t they pretty? And the best part is they’re easy to make! All you need are some air dry clay, letter stamps, and twine. You can also add watercolours to highlight your family members’ names. Jelica of A Pretty Fix shows five different ways to make air dry clay ornaments.

24. Car ornaments

classic matchbox car Christmas ornaments
Zoom into the festive season with these cool ornaments! Image by Please Note Paper

The motoring enthusiast in your household will get revved up over these wheely cool decorations. Rather than raiding your favourite little person’s prized Matchbox collection, we suggest purchasing some cheap car toys from your local $2 shop to complete this DIY. Visit Please Note Paper for the full list of materials plus a comprehensive how-to.

25. Giant baubles

gold bar cart with giant Christmas baubles
Baubles, bar cart and beverages! Image by A Kailo Chic Life

Supersize your Christmas celebrations with XL baubles! Fabulous stacked up in a pile, or perched atop a Christmas tree, these oversized and over-the-top ornaments are easy to construct with foam balls and a few other materials. Love this idea? Kara from A Kailo Chic Life has you covered with her simple step-by-step guide.

26. Festive pillow

Throw pillows wrapped like Christmas gifts
Turn your regular pillows into holiday pillows. Image by Jalynn Baker via HGTV

A quick DIY is all you need to turn your living room into a festive space. Simply wrap your pillows like a present; Perfect if you have Christmas-coloured ribbons lying around! You can even wrap your pillow with a festive flannel shirt you have on-hand. Here are some Christmas pillow ideas from HGTV.

DIY Christmas gifts

27. Bath salts

A gift to use all year round. Image by Sugar & Cloth

 

Handmade gifts remind your loved ones that you’re thinking about them. This ever-so-creative DIY from Sugar & Cloth combines homemade bath salts with sand art. If you don’t have any large jars laying around at home, you can buy some mini RAJTAN spice jars from Ikea.

28. Peppermint mason jar candles

scented Christmas candles
Smells like candycane! Image by A Pumpkin and a Princess

Is it even Christmas if your house doesn’t smell like lollies, spice, or fruit? A lovely way to ignite Christmas cheer in your household, this DIY project doubles as a handmade present. Crafty blogger A Pumpkin And A Princess says you’ll need soy candle wax, peppermint oil, and your creative juices to complete this project.

29. Embroidered notebooks

embroidered notebooks on printed fabric
A personalised gift is always well received! Image by Mollie Makes

You’ll have sew much fun picking out a design then embroidering it onto a note book, thanks to Mollie Makes! This DIY project can be labour intensive if you’re not an experienced sewer so don’t leave it until the night before Christmas.

30. Marbled tea light cups

pastel marbled tea light holders
Pretty marbled tea light holders. Image by HGTV

If you’re tempted by the marbled baubles above, get some other items in on the action! These plain glass tealight holders are easily transformed into unique pieces with just a bit of nail polish. Great for a bulk gifting. Chelsea explains how here.

31. Gingerbread lip scrub

gingerbread lip scrub in a jar
Get prepped for a kiss under the mistletoe. Image by Runway Chef

Between kissing grandparents and smiling for family photos, your lips need some love at Christmas time! Delicious and a skin care staple, this lip scrub is a fab stocking stuffer that you can make while you’re whipping up a gingerbread house. Alyssa shows us how on the Runway Chef.

32. Cookies in a jar

Cookie ingredients in a jar
Biscuits are always a good idea! Image by Crazy Little Projects

A ready-to-go recipe in a jar is a fabulous gift idea for your favourite time-poor food lover. Simply layer the ingredients and print out instructions so that it’s easy for the giftee to make, bake, and devour. Crazy Little Projects has an easy-to-follow cookie recipe plus printable tags to give your jar a professional touch.

33. Bath bombs

pastel bath bombs in ceramic bath
Maxo relaxo for the holiday season. Image by Inspired by Charm

Tis the season to be jolly and to relax in a bubblebath! Give the gift of pampering and relaxation this Christmas with a homemade bath bomb for anyone who appreciates a good soak. Customise the colour and scent with your favourite essential oils. You’ll find the full tutorial via Inspired by Charm.

34. Hot Chocolate baubles

Hot chocolate and marshmallows in baubles
Hot chocolate in an ornament? Yum! Image by Aycan of Little White Socks

Even on a hot summer’s night there’s nothing quite like a cup of cocoa to get into the Christmas spirit. This delicious DIY from Little White Socks is sure to impress; All you need is some hot cocoa powder, mini marshmallows, crushed candy canes and clear ornaments. Just pour the contents into a mug, add milk, and you’re all set!

35. Embroidered hankies

Handkerchiefs embroidered with kids' drawings
Immortalise your kids’ drawings. Image by diys.com

You can’t go wrong with practical gifts with a personal touch. If you have kids, why not trace their drawings onto handkerchiefs and embroider them? Your spouse is going to love a piece of your kids’ artwork to carry around. Grandma and Grandpa would love them, too! Other than doodles, you can sew on names or witty one-liners onto the hankies. Here’s how to do a standard stem stitch

If you’re not confident with your sewing skills, you can hire a local seamstress to do a bunch of hankies for you.

36. Christmas slippers care package

wine and sweets inside slippers
A Christmas basket with a twist. Image by Savvy Honey

Here’s a twist on your usual Christmas gift basket. Stuff a cosy pair of slippers with care package staples, such as lip balm, lotion, face masks, and chocolate. You’ll be giving your loved one everything they need for some pampering over the holidays. Check out these cute Christmas slippers basket ideas by Savvy Honey.

37. Framed handwritten recipes and letters

framed handwritten recipe
A thoughtful yet easy DIY gift. Image by Bless’er House

Your memorabilia don’t have to stay tucked away in your drawers. Take your most loved recipe or letter and display it in a beautiful frame. Here’s a quick guide on how to preserve ink on your framed handwritten recipes and letters.

38. Patterned coasters

mugs on patterned wood coasters
From wrapping paper to statement piece. Image by Plaid

Mod podge is your best friend when it comes to DIY gifts. Just look at these patterned coasters you can easily make with mod podge. Now all your spare wrapping paper and Christmas paper napkins don’t have to go to waste!

39. Christmas tea tree

Christmas tea trees
For tea lovers. Image by Thirsty for Tea

Tea lovers are going to adore this! Christmas tea trees are a clever way to display tea bags. Simply grab a styrofoam cone and glue gun, and construct your mini tree. Also, you can choose colour palettes and tea flavours fit for the holidays. Top it off with a large bow and star cutout, and you’ll have a gift your loved ones will be proud to display at home.

Festive food for Christmas gatherings

40. Antipasto Christmas tree

Antipasto grazing platter in shape of Christmas tree
Move over grazing table, this is a grazing TOWER. Image by Cafe Delites

A feast for your eyes and your stomach, this delicious DIY is quite possibly the best Christmas catering idea ever! Find a step-by-step tutorial that explains how to recreate this mouth-watering masterpiece at home via the CafeDelites website.

41. Rosemary wreath platter

Rosemary antipasto platter with cheese and olives
Pass this festive plate around! Image by Home is Where the Boat is.

Make the most of that lush rosemary bush in your backyard to create a rosemary wreath as the base for a festive antipasto platter. Trim a generous amount of rosemary, give it a rinse then assemble in a wreath shape on a circular plate. Garnish with olives, cheese, sundried tomatoes and any other finger foods that tickle your fancy. See more photos and HEAPS more festive food ideas at Home is Where the Boat is.

42. Sugar cone Christmas trees

Candy cookie cones
Waffle cones just got even better. Image by Coupon Clipping Cook

An enchanted forest where all the trees are edible? Sign us up! These delicious treats are a fun and delicious kid-friendly DIY. Stock up on your favourite lollies and let your appetite be the guide. The hardest part is not eating all of the ingredients while you work! Nancy from Coupon Clipping Cook shows us how in this recipe.

43. Christmas tree cupcakes

green Christmas tree cupcake DIY
No such thing as too much icing. Image by Manu’s Menu

Little bit of cake, little bit of green food colouring, whole lotta icing – these are just so cute! Manu’s Menu clearly has their cupcake piping technique down to a fine art, but if your baking skills aren’t quite there yet, just go heavy with the decorations. It’s all about the festive spirit, right?

44. Christmas tree meringues

green Christmas tree meringues
The sweetest little forest ever. Image by Bargain Mums

The silly season just got sweeter thanks to these adorable Christmas tree meringues via Bargain Mums. Serve these cute, bite-sized trees as part of dessert, or use them as an edible table decoration or gift!

45. Strawberry Santa brownie bites

Brownie bites with strawberry Santa hats
Christmas cuteness in bite-sized chunks. Image by I Heart Naps

You can give practically any food a Christmas-y makeover with the addition of a strawberry Santa hat, and brownie bites are no exception. Make brownies from scratch, or if you’re time-poor, opt for a brownie mix from the supermarket, cut them into small rounds, then perch a strawberry Santa hat on top, and you have the beginnings of a festive feast. Visit I Heart Nap Time for detailed instructions.

46. Cinnamon hard candy

cinnamon hard candy
A sweet present. Image by The Blond Cook

Spicy, sweet—cinnamon hard candy has all the fun and festive flavours you can ask for. By making your own cinnamon hard candy, you can put in as much or as little cinnamon oil as you want. Here’s a cinnamon hard candy recipe by Amy Brinkley of The Blond Cook.

47. Hot chocolate stirrers

chocolate dipped candy canes
Perfect for your coffee or hot cocoa. Image by Grace & Good Eats

These edible hot chocolate stirrers are genius. Just dip one of these into your hot cocoa or coffee, and you instantly get a holiday drink. To make the stirrers, dip the ends of peppermint sticks in melted chocolate. Then, sprinkle on some crushed candy canes or marshmallows misted with water. Here’s a 15-minute recipe by Grace and Good Eats.

Christmas gift wrapping ideas

48. Eco-friendly gift wrapping

A gift within a gift! Image by My Poppet Living

Furoshiki – the Japanese art of fabric wrapping – is a sophisticated change of pace to presents wrapped in paper. Use fabric in a pretty print or block colour, or purchase some cute teatowels, then wrap away! Get inspired about the possibilities of furoshiki in this tutorial by My Poppet Makes.

49. Calligraphy

Handwritten wrapping paper
Personalised paper for an extra special gift. Image by Boxwood Avenue

You don’t need to be a master calligrapher to create bespoke wrapping paper adorned with your favourite festive phrases (but it would certainly help!). Chloe from Boxwood Avenue says all you need to recreate this chic wrapping DIY is paper, a sharpie, and some silly season slogans. Finish with a striped ribbon and a sprig of your favourite herb.

50. Hand-painted gift wrapping

Pink painted gift wrapping
Add pizazz to your pressies with abstract painting. Image by Lay Baby Lay

Painterly brush strokes never looked so good! We love this DIY idea by Lay Baby Lay who transforms bland black paper into a work of abstract art with white and pink brushstrokes. She continues the artistic flair with an array of ribbons and fun finishing touches including mini trees and golden bells.

51. Star-shaped gift wrapping

star shared Christmas gift wrapping
For a star in your life. Image by A Pair and a Spare

Are you a star on the sewing machine? Then you’ll have no problem re-creating this stunning wrapping idea by A Pair and A Spare. Get going with a star template, then fire up the Singer to stitch together a star-shaped pouch. Fill with confetti or tinsel pieces for extra wow.

52. Animal gift wrapping

presents wrapped and decorated like animals
Almost too cute to unwrap? Image by Lia Griffith

Whether you channel the North Pole with a penguin present, or prefer to keep things closer to home with a gift resembling your favourite four-legged friend, animal gift wrapping is an adorable idea. Handcraft heavyweight Lia Griffith has done the hard work for you and has created animal stencils that you can download from her website and print at home. Thanks Lia!

53. Roller stamp prints

ikea lint roller hack for wrapping paper
Roll and go! Image by Handmade Charlotte

Did somebody say #IkeaHack?! Transform a humble Ikea lint roller into a stamp to decorate wrapping paper with this amazing tutorial by Handmade Charlotte. Once your stamp is assembled, apply paint and get rolling. It’s that easy!

54. Reindeer gift wrapping

Rudolph reindeer Christmas gift wrapping
This wrapping is a-deer-able. Image by Frog Prince Paperie

If Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is the most popular Christmas carol in your household, there’s simply no going past this wrapping idea from Frog Prince Paperie. It doesn’t matter what shape the present; Wrap it up in brown paper, add a red nose and some antlers and voila, Rudolph wrapping complete!

55. Simple gift wrapping

simple Christmas gift wrapping with stars
Simple and stylish gift wrapping. Image by These Four Walls

Brown paper packages tied up with string… if these are a few of your favourite things, you’ll love this simple wrapping idea via These Four Walls. Basic yet beautiful, the wrapping of these presents is elegant without detracting from the wow-factor of the gifts inside.

56. Sweater totes

wine bottles wrapped in sweater fabrics
Looking cosy. Image by That’s What Che Said

Have any stretched out or shrunken sweaters? Cut out the sweater sleeves and slip them onto some wine bottles. Then, add some nice ribbons. These cosy-looking wine bottle gift bags will surely make your friends smile.

Christmas drinks

57. Boozy popsicles

Christmas pudding icy poles
The cherry on top of Christmas dinner. Image by China Squirrel

These not-for-kids Christmas pudding and brandy ice pops will go down a treat after dinner! China Squirrel shows us how to make them on SBS Food.

58. Christmas pudding vodka

spice infused vodka recipe
Liquid Christmas pudding. Image by Jamie Oliver Magazine

Spice up Christmas drinks without overheating with this infused vodka recipe from Jamie Oliver. Perfect for a hot Aussie day with heaps of ice!

59. Cranberry mocktail

red cranberry mocktail
A bright and light beverage. Image by Say Yes

Let’s face it – for lots of us, Christmas involves lots of driving around, so a good mocktail is appreciated by one and all. Get refreshed with this cranberry concoction by Say Yes.

60. Beer Advent calendar

Beers wrapped in Christmas paper
Cheers to that! Image by Chasin’ Mason

What’s better than a surprise present every day? A surprise beer every day! Chasin’ Mason brings the Christmas cheer with this beer advent calendar.

But wait—there’s myrrh!

When should you take your Christmas decorations down?

Tradition states that your Christmas tree and decorations should be taken down on Twelfth Night to avoid bad luck (apparently tree spirits live in the foliage so, yknow, they’re trying to enjoy the holiday season, too).

Whether you believe in the superstition or not, don’t let your brilliant DIY efforts go to waste and salvage your favourite pieces for next year. Box up your baubles, wreaths and trinkets with clear labels, so you can easily retrieve them from storage.

PS. Kmart’s Christmas range includes specialised storage solutions for all your decor, wrapping, and even your Christmas tree if you love being super organised.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Header photos by: A Pair and a Spare / Alice & Lois / China Squirrel / The Merrythought


Need a little helper to deck the halls, or untangle all those Christmas lights? Find someone on Airtasker who can help out with any task you need done this holiday season.

House painting hacks

Painting your house can be made easier and quicker with a few ideas, tips and tricks.

House painting hacks

Giving your home a fresh coat of paint can give it an instant facelift.
But let’s face it, it’s not exactly an easy task. With prep, painting and cleaning up – not to mention time-consuming, some extra tips and tricks can make it less painful.

Here are our house painting hacks to help you refresh your home:

1. Plan

As much as we wish it was as easy to pick a weekend, go to Bunnings, pick up some paint and it’s all done by the Sunday night… it’s often not as easy as that. But if you properly plan, you can get pretty close to it.

You need to plan:

  • What and how to cover furniture
  • When are you going to paint –  a long weekend will give you an extra day
  • What tools you need e.g. spray gun, brushes, rollers, sandpaper
  • Who’s going to help you? If you need an extra hand, get there are plenty of painting experts who can help.

2. Paint

What colour you choose is a big decision to make so it’s important to do your research, talk to your local paint shop and also get as many samples as you can.

Paint the samples on the wall in big swatches and also some closer to the carpet line, if you need it to match. Then leave it for a few days and see which one works for you.

3. Rollers

If you’re using a roller that you already have, make sure you wash it thoroughly. If it’s brand-new roll a lint roller over it before you start to get rid of all the fluff, which you don’t want in your paint.

4. Primers

If you are painting over previously painted walls, run a swab with some rubbing alcohol over your old-painted walls. If paint comes off, the surface is latex-based paint and if it doesn’t, it’s oil-based paint. This is important as oil-based paint needs a primer.

Speaking of primer, use one. It will make your paintwork look cleaner and last a lot longer.

5. Prepare

Hate cleaning up after painting? Then don’t. Line your paint tray with a glad wrap so you don’t have to wash it up after the painting is done.

You can buy drop sheets but save your money and use some old bed sheets that are taking up cupboard space.

6. Painting furniture

If you are painting chairs, lightly tap some nails into the legs of the chairs. Voila, you can now paint all over without leaving paint marks on the floor.

Same goes with bigger items; prop them up on blocks of wood to get optimum access with your paint brush.

Painting tips

When painting, run your roller in a ‘w’ shape like a zig-zag. This will give the best finish when dry. It will also help you to space out the paint by using long lines so that you don’t get any bubbles or dripping.

If you are painting on concrete, all you have to do it coat it with white vinegar and let that dry before painting over the top. This will prevent the paint from cracking.

External painting

If you are painting outside, consider hiring a spray-painting system. It will save you a lot of time and will give you an excellent finish. All you need to do is cross your fingers for great weather.

Painting hacks

Put Vaseline over screws, hinges, and windows so that paint won’t stick to it if you go over with your paintbrush.

Are the paint fumes a bit too much? Apparently, you can cut up some onions and leave them around the room to neutralise the smell. For a more pleasant smell, add an extract to your paint, such as peppermint or vanilla, and mix in as much as possible. This counteracts fumes and will leave your house smelling beautiful.

This article was written by Airtasker – Zoe T.

Got any other painting tips? Let us know in the comments below!

10 Spring cleaning hacks for your home

Get around the extra work this spring with these tricks!

10 Spring cleaning hacks for your home

The days are longer and a little warmer, yes that’s right it’s finally Spring again! However, that also means it’s time to de-clutter and give your house a good spring clean. Although the extra work can make it seem like a monstrous weekend-long chore, we’ve collected a few simple hacks that will see you finished with your spring cleaning in no time.

From organising your house to polishing glasses, the list of to-do’s can be endless but here are 10 of the best spring cleaning hacks:

Dusting the ceiling fan

Before you pick up the feather duster and make a mess all over the room as you try to clean the top of the ceiling fan, grab an old pillow case and put it over the fan arm to scrape the dust straight into the pillow case. This will save you from having the dust the room and vacuum afterwards.

Organise your wardrobe

Deciding what clothes to throw away is a tough choice and one we really don’t like to make. Why? Because we all have ‘that’ dress which brings back nostalgic memories of first dates, birthdays, or maybe you feel fab in it but it’s literally falling apart and time for it to go.

So to make it easier for see what you really do and don’t wear try hanging all of your coat hangers in the opposite direction to what you normally autonomously put the away. Then in a few weeks, you’ll be able to see which coat hangers are still in the original direction and think about donating those to charity.

Messy drawers no more

We’ve all been guilty of just shoving clean washing into a drawer without folding it, which means it’s impossible to find anything, you can’t get as much in and not to mention it will need some serious ironing to get the creases out.

An easy solution is to pack t-shirts vertical instead of horizontal. You’ll be able to fit more and also find your fave tees in a few seconds – without making a mess!

Source: Imgur

Clean your vases

Getting rid of the grime in vases can be not only difficult but also gross. To get around it, add a cup of uncooked rice, warm water and half a cup of window cleaner and mix it around.

Your vase will be sparkling clean and ready for fresh flowers in a jiffy.

 

Plantation shutter dusting

They sure do look pretty but plantation shutters are not the easiest blinds to clean. Lucky we’ve stumbled across a quick hack that we can use, all you need is a knife (not a sharp one) and a microfiber cloth to wrap around it. This you can go through each slat to pick up the dust easily.

Dusting lamp shades

Do you find that the dust just sticks to lamp shades and doesn’t want to budge? Well, we have the hack for you! Use a run-of-the-mill clothing lint roller to roll over the outside and inside of your lamp shades.

Shower curtain mould

To get rid of the mouldy build-up on your shower curtain you can simply throw it in the washing machine. Or if you don’t want to do that make a natural cleaning solution, which you could reuse every few weeks.

Make your own natural shower curtain cleaner by getting an empty spray bottle which you can fill with half vinegar and half water. Then stretch the curtain to it’s full width (so that you can get in the creases) and spray the vinegar solution. Leave for a couple of minutes and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Bathroom grout cleaning

Scrubbing grout is very labour intensive and all your efforts may not even remove the most stubborn mould. So to make it a bit easier on yourself, soak cotton wool in bleach and then place along the mouldy grout. This will get rid (or at least make it easier to scrub) of the mould and save you time and effort.

Clearing out the drain

Drains can become easily clogged up with bits of food getting stuck. You can buy drain cleaners, but for a chemical free alternative just use baking soda and vinegar. You will need to have 2 cups of baking soda, 4 cups of boiling water and 1 cup of vinegar at your disposal.

Follow these steps:

  • Pour 1 cup of baking soda carefully down the drain and then 2 cups of the boiling water. Wait a few moments.
  • Pour another cup of baking soda, then the cup of vinegar and immediately plug the drain as bubbles will rise.
  • When the bubbles die down slightly, pour the remaining 2 cups of boiling water.

We love baking soda as an alternative natural cleaning solution, so we’ve also put together a guide on how to clean ovens with baking soda.

Dusting high ceilings

Get to those hard to reach places, like ceiling corners, by using a broom with a microfibre cloth at the end and you’ll be able to clear any dust or cobwebs.

If you’re having trouble with the cloth staying put, just use a big elastic band or some string to keep it in place.

 

Or perhaps the best hack yet? Use and Airtasker and you won’t need to lift a finger and still get the spring cleaning ticked off your to-do list.

Got any other hacks? Share with us in the comments below, we love hearing about new ways make cleaning easier.

Tips To Make IKEA Furniture Look Expensive

Saving money but still want to have an amazing home? Well, believe it or not, you can achieve all your "Tips To Make IKEA Furniture Look Expensive"

Tips To Make IKEA Furniture Look Expensive

Saving money but still want to have an amazing home? Well, believe it or not, you can achieve all your favourite industrial, Scandi or Hampton’s looks on any budget with a trip to IKEA.

Due to its heritage, IKEA is naturally already very Scandiavian by design but you can still make your IKEA furniture look expensive with a little bit of creative D.I.Y.

Here are a 7 tips to make your IKEA look top-end!

Stylish Stools

Pick up a few Roxo IKEA stool for just $9.99 a pop and turn them into something spectacular.

You can use rope, contact paper, tape or paint to make them pop.

Before:
roxo-stool-white

After:
ikea-stool
Source: Refinery29

That’s Gold

With a bit of paint or spray paint you add bling to any piece of IKEA furniture.

Wall Brackets
Change these EKBY LERBERG wall brackets with a touch of gold to make them a feature.

ikea-gold brackets
Source:Adorpics

Coffee Table

This plain VITTSJÖ coffee table can bring back art deco with a metallic splash.

ikea-gold coffee table
Source: Stuck on brand aid

Nordic Pastels

Open, bright and light are frequent themes in Scandi design but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a bit of colour. Using pastels in smaller items allows you to change colours with the seasons at a low cost.

ikea-gold paint
Source: Buzzfeed

ikea-pastel

Side Tables & Dresser

There is plenty that you can do with a basic TARVA IKEA chest of drawers with a coat of paint and some new knobs.

Before:
tarva-chest-of-drawers__0143746_PE303248_S4

After:
ikea-dresser
Source: Mentalfloss

>ikea-dresser-2
Source: Mentalfloss

Get Spotty

Spots are on-trend at the moment and it’s easy to apply instant glam by using wrapping paper or contact paper to furniture.

ikea-dots
Source: oh my dear blog

You can also apply this to boring storage boxes to make them look like something out of a Kate Spade catalogue.

ikea-dots-2
Source: First Home Love Life

Statement Lights

You can buy any basic lamp and change the shade but to make a real impact use some wood and rope for a beachside aesthetic.

ikea-lamp
Source: IKEA Hackers

Do you have any more fantastic IKEA hacks? Let us know in the comments below.

IKEA Furniture Hacks

IKEA furniture comes and goes like the changing of seasons due to moving, different design tastes or just broken. However "IKEA Furniture Hacks"

IKEA Furniture Hacks

IKEA furniture comes and goes like the changing of seasons due to moving, different design tastes or just broken. However it doesn’t have to end up on the street for council pick-up, instead you could repurpose it for something else.

We’ve stumbled across some great IKEA hacks that will breathe life back into your furniture.

Below are some IKEA Furniture Hacks

1. Shelves to desks

ikea-hack-airtasker
Source: Mashable

If you have old shelves or bedside tables, you can create a new storage-friendly desk.

2. Bookshelf to pet sanctuary

ikea-hack-airtasker-2
Source: Gizmodo

IKEA bookshelves can be changed in all sorts of ways like in the image above and turn it into a home for your beloved pet.

3. Shopping bag to raincoat

ikea-hack-airtasker-3
Source: Gizmodo

These bags are lifesavers at the time of shopping and even useful for the weekly grocery shopping but to make even more from the bag you can convert it into a children’s raincoat.

4. Boring brackets to colourful wall art

ikea-hack-airtasker-4
Source: Poppytalk

These would usually be brackets that you put in your shed but by having a few extra and some leftover paint you can create a great practical feature for your wall.

5. From plain to glam

ikea-hack-airtasker-5
Source: Better decorating bible

Spice up your usual boring IKEA furniture to make people say ‘WOW!’. We guarantee people will be asking where you got it from and when they discover you did it, they’ll be lining up just to have their own unique piece for their bedroom.

Got any other IKEA hacks? Let us know in the comments below.