Christmas Crafts for the Un-Crafty

^{Image courtesy of ThreadHeads}

Holiday decorating can be a challenge when you are un-crafty. Those of you that know me are well aware that I must never, ever be left alone with a glue gun, tape and scissors in one sitting--and please don't hand me a needle and thread and ask me to mend something.

You are likely to end up with more than you asked for--like a piece of my skin sewn into your shirt.

I so admire those fantastic holiday crafters that can sit at a table with a bowl of beads, some glue n' glitter, a few cardboard tubes left over from toilet paper rolls, one piece of green felt and appear one hour later with twelve presents and a miniature Santa village.

I call it insanity, you call it crafting, let's call the whole thing off.

There's just so much pressure to be crafty at Christmas! I just can't take the heat. That's why I go for the pre-made themed décor that requires nothing more than a slight sense of style, a wallet and, if you so desire, some brandy eggnogs and a cheesy Christmas album.

Here are a few ideas for a stress-free, craft-free Christmas:

• I do enjoy the look and smell of a real tree, but there's nothing more convenient than an artificial tree that's pre-lit! They can get pricey if you go for the designer look, but check Walmart, Target, Home Depot and The Great Indoors for deals.


• Try a themed Christmas tree and decorate with ornaments that showcase your favorite hobbies like animals, cartoons, the beach (mini surfboards, beach chairs and sea shells) sports memorabilia, music, etc. I have a friend that does an Alice in Wonderland theme every year and I always look forward to seeing the new additions.


• Go simple and stick with color themes like silver and gold. Check out Crate and Barrel and Pier One for some great ornaments, no glue gun needed. I once saw the cutest tree that was done in pink and white with tied pink ribbons (borderline crafty) and white snowflake ornaments- simple, elegant and charming. Leopard print ornaments are also a fun idea with gold and burgundy ribbon as an accent.


• Throw an Ornament Christmas Party and ask your guests to bring one ornament to hang on the tree. This does scream décor disaster, but with more brandy and eggnog, you won't care.

I know that this very moment, a wise old woman is sitting at her craft table creating beautiful heirloom ornaments for her grandchildren. And just miles away, I sit in front of my computer, searching the Internet for pre-fab ornaments on sale, my eggnog in need of a touch more brandy.

'Tis the season of self-expression and self-indulgence and may the two never meet.