Having spent most of last Sunday covered in glitter from putting up the Christmas tree and all the festive trimmings that come with it, my little home now looks like the inside of Santa’s grotto. However the desk I work from upstairs seemed to be looking a bit too bleak for my liking, but without wanting to spend a small fortune dazzling it up with Christmas goodies I decided to set myself a small budget and spruce up my little workspace with a few festive treats that don’t burn too much of a hole in the pocket…
Fairy Light Fever:
Having first spotted these in the aisles of Primark, I was pretty shocked to discover they were a mere £1.50… what a bargain! Last year I bought a set from Ikea which were considerably more pricey, although the light is quite a harsh white tone so I’m just not as keen. These ones however omit a lovely warm glow that makes the perfect backdrop for photo’s or just to cheer up your work space.
Candles Gallore:
You all know by now how much I blooming adore my little scented candles and after finding these pretty gold & purple holders in Ikea I just had to bring them home with me! The gold ones were £2 each and the purple one (I’m pretty sure) was only £1. I also spotted a bag of 100 Glimma tea lights for £1.75, they last approx 4 hours constant burning and are undoubtedly the best for value out of all the ones I’ve tried yet!
Merry Material:
I’ve been hoarding felt squares in my material box for the last couple of years, so I thought it was high time I put them to good use. These fun festive fancies are so darn easy to make too; it’s simply a matter of cutting out your shapes and sewing or stitching them together, alternatively you could use material glue – just don’t forget to stuff em’ before you seal otherwise they’ll end up looking a tad skinny. I opted for making a cheery little robin & traditional Christmas pudding. Cute eh?
The Empty Pickle Jar:
When I spotted this empty gherkin jar lurking on top of my kitchen counter I knew he had a greater destiny in life than simply ending up in the recycling heap. After digging out my glass paints, I decided to give it a colourful lease of life by up-cycling him as a unique little candle accessory. One can never have too many tea light holders right? 😉 You can buy glass paints from any good craft store. I use Pebeo Vitrea pots as the colours are so vivid & glossy. Alternatively E-bay is full of great starter sets from as little as £5 or you could opt for glass paint markers which are super easy to use!
Twinkling Twigs:
At this time of year my garden is awash with leaves, twigs and lots of other green fingered paraphernalia, so why not put some of it to good use? After gathering, clean & dry your chosen sticks (or twigs if you make a mini version – your empty gherkin jar could be ideal for this) then spray with either gold or silver paint and dust with glitter (optional, but looks super pretty)
Once dry you can display them in any vase or jar you like, as mine was see through I used some pretty pebbles to add some detail & keep the sticks supported … voila, your own glittering twig display!
Don’t forget you can also interweave some fairy lights through them to create some extra twinkle… they really help emphasise the sparkle in the glitter.
The Mini Tree:
Last but not least, what Christmas space would be complete without a teeny tiny tree? I spotted this one in a local discount shop for £1 and just couldn’t resist! They also had lots of multi coloured battery lights that work a treat in helping to make it that little bit more cheery. He’s rather adorable wouldn’t you say?
So there you have it, my way of adding a sprinkle of festive cheer to any work or living space without costing a fortune… in fact I spent well under £15 for the whole lot. Not bad eh?
Have you added any mini decorations to help cheer up your crib? Or maybe you have a few merry little tips of your own to share? As always, I love reading your thoughts & feedback in the comments below! Til next time…
Cheerio Chums 🙂
Oh such great ideas. I still haven’t decorated the flat. Will have to do it this weekend. Thanks for great ideas, I am loving these fairy lights. Mel
http://www.livingoncloude9.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for dropping by Mel, so glad you like them!!! Good luck with your own decorations & have fun 🙂 K Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
The decorations looks really great, well done 🎁🎄🎄🎁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww, thank you so much for your kind comment – have a fab weekend lovely 🙂 X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a greedy weekend as well ♡
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shall try my best lol 😀 X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol ♡
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it Karen! It looks so great! Just the right touches and you’re so creative! I have lighted glittery twigs myself in my bedroom for all year round. I also like to keep up some lights in my bedroom for all year round too lol. Right now I Have some purple ones that I found at Halloween lol. My boyfriend and I like them as a little night light and they’re just so relaxing. I will be getting out my Christmas decorations soon and now I just can’t wait! 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, thank so much for you kind comment Katie, greatly appreciated!! Gee, we sound so alike when it comes to so many things – twigs & lighting included lol I tend to find these little extra touches make the place feel so warm & welcoming. I’m definitely going to keep the fairy lights up, like you say they’re so relaxing! Oooh good luck with all your decorating, hope you have as much fun as possible 🙂 Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re always welcome Karen! I’m glad to hear that you’re going to keep up your lights. They are very relaxing and like you said make it feel so warm and relaxing! I am sure I will have a lot of fun with the Christmas decorations. I had so much fun just decorating the apartment in general after we first moved in. 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Decorating is soooo much fun, I love it providing I get regular breaks & it doesn’t end up being one huge stressful mess. Calm and collected is good for me Katie lol X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah I agree with you on that one Karen. I don’t like to feel too overwhelmed lol. 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
That gold candle is on point. I’m obsessed with candles, and the prettiest ones come out during the Holiday season. I can’t wait to be done uni so I can kick back and decorate the house. This post made feel the holiday cheer–Thank you Karen!
LikeLike
I’m so glad you like it romy – I’m obsessed with candles all year round but come this season I just can’t help myself. Isn’t the gold lovely?! When do you break up for Uni? I’m sure you can’t wait to get stuck in – happy decorating huni and as always thanks so much for stopping by. Your comments always make me smile so much 🙂 X
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got 4 more days and I’m free to go home and cuddle my cats haha! It’s my pleasure Karen, I enjoy your posts and my comments reflect that. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awwwh, that sounds fantastic!!! I love cats – I have 2 of my own & couldn’t be without them! Thank you so much, I’m so very grateful lovely 🙂 Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have 2 as well! I’m not ashamed to say they’ve been my best friends for the last 10 years haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the decorating! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you lovely lady – hope you have a super weekend 🙂 X
LikeLike
I hope you have a super weekend too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That teeny tiny tree reminds me of the one I had in my apartment for years when I lived abroad. 🙂
Beauty Isles | Blogiversary International Giveaway: Too Faced, LORAC and NYX
LikeLike
Good memories I hope Kimmy 🙂 It’s a cutie!! Thanks for commenting lovely X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, very good memories. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness, so cute! I absolutely love it! The lights really are amazing! And the candles, I wish I could have them where I live!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww thank you so much lovely, delighted you like 🙂 Aren’t the lights fab? Super affordable too – such a shame you don’t have a Primark or Ikea nearby… they are bargain central 😀 Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! I have heard so, so much about Primark! Apparently I live in the wrong country :0
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, if you ever visit Ireland we are going to do some serious shopping missy!!!!! 😀 X
LikeLiked by 1 person
How pretty!! I love the branches with fairy lights. I need to start my Christmas decorating this weekend for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you sweetie, glad you like them 🙂 Ooooh how exciting, enjoy, have fun & play lots of Christmas songs – has to be done when decorating don’t you think?! hehe 😀 X
LikeLike
Agreed! I’ve got my Christmas playlist all queued up 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Super organised – I like your style Mil 😀 X
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is brill!! I’ve been on the look out for some little fairy lights so will definitely be heading to Primark! I haven’t put up my decorations yet, and this post has made me so excited to finally do it!! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Sall, honestly Primark is super for cute little Christmas decor treats – their range of cute candle & holders is amazing too but I love the fairy lights! Happy shopping, enjoy Christmas-ifying your home… so exciting 😀 Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
CUTE! I’m actually throwing a party on the 27th since Christmas lands on a week day this year. I love the fairy lights, you could add them just about anywhere it seems.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jen 🙂 Oh lovely – hope your party is a roaring success!! The lights are fab, and honestly for the money you just couldn’t get better!! I think they’ll stay put all year round lol X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Karen great ideas the Christmas pudding is so cute can’t believe you made it and the jar wow your so creative x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so so much Carol, such a lovely comment!!!! You know, the little pud turned out sooooo much better than I imagined but honestly it’s really easy to make – even the least craftiest of person would easily succeed lol The jar however was the tricky one *rolls eyes* Lets just say I was glad to finish it lol Rather pretty now it’s done 😀 X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your work space looks absolutely stunning, Karen! I am in love with those little felt decorations you made. They are too adorable for words! It looks lovely. 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much lovely – what a compliment 🙂 Aren’t they super cute? Sooooo easy to make too – great wee festive DIY project…. chuffed you like them so much 😀 XO
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I am going to try to make some. 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Go for it Nadine… why not eh? 😀 Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the Fairy Lights! I am thinking of getting for our house. They look so pretty and really make a space look special. Great post! I am really feeling inspired for Christmas this year, and I just loved this post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are so pretty Lynne, I love them too – fairylight mad here lol Thank you so much for such a lovely comment, chuffed you enjoyed it huni 🙂 X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Beauty! I nominated you for “The Jolly Blogger Award.” You can check out my post here: http://wp.me/p4Aog5-x2 ❤ xo
LikeLike
Hey Katie, can you believe this has been lying in my spam folder for the last few days!! *grrrrr* Again I’m thrilled to bits and cannot wait to post over the weekend… thank you lovely much appreciated & excited 🙂 Xo *huge hugs*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I can believe it Karen lol. Which reminds me that I should take a quick look at my own spam folder. Looking forward to your post! 🙂 ❤ xo *huge hugs back*
LikeLike
Honestly… you’d think it would blooming know just how often we have a chatter to each other on here to recognise it ain’t spam!!! *rolls eyes* No doubt you’ll find a clatter of mine in your folder huni lol 😀 Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did before in the past when we first started talking. Though I just checked my folder and there really was only spam this time. WordPress needs to get it’s act together lol. 🙂 ❤ xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree – mine’s must be asleep!! lol Have a super weekend huni 🙂 X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks you have a super weekend too Karen! 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Katie… shall try my best 😀 X
LikeLiked by 1 person
The little christmas pudding is amazing. Great timing, as I am about to run out to find a christmas tree and do some decorating myself 🙂
LikeLike