Even though it’ll be a hot Christmas this year in Houston – an unseasonable 78 degrees! – I can’t help but be in the Yuletide spirit!!! I love this time of year, not only because I get to visit with family and friends, but also because I can usually carve out some time for cooking, crafts and art projects I’ve been wanting to try.

Here are a few of the projects I hope to do this week:

Seasons Eatings!!!

Source

This chicken salad looks delish! Great for a healthy yet filling lunch with my favorite holiday flavors: cranberries and pecans.

Source

Miniature, edible ornaments!! These Christmas ball cookies from Betty Crocker are too cute – they’d make the perfect homemade gift!

Crafty Gifts!!!

Source

DIY Cards!!! Turn some of your favorite Instagram pics into one-of-a-kind, personalized cards… You can use them yourself as thank you notes or wrap an assortment of cards in a box and give homemade stationary to a friend! Click here to see all the steps from Say Yes.

Source

These candles are so chic… and so easy!! You just melt beeswax with some crayon shavings in a crockpot, and then dip in candles of all shapes and sizes. Voila – gorgeous dip-dyed candles!!! The best part is that you can customize the colors to suit your decor. No surprise I like these blue and gray ones! For the full Martha Stewart tutorial, click here.

Source

Can’t you just see young kids feeling so special when they open these custom playing cards!!! This idea came from the Better After blog, which used MakePlayingCards.com to print photos of the whole fam in one deck. Love, love, love!

Source

Lemon cypress trees are popping up everywhere! You can dress them up with miniature ornaments and put the mini trees almost anywhere for the holidays – so festive! Or give them out as a hostess gift. They’d make a beautiful centerpiece!!! I found some at World Market for a great price.

Let it snow!!!

I want one of these!!! These Chanel Snowdomes were given out to VIPs in 2012, and now they’re a collector’s item selling for over $300! Oh well, I guess I’ll have to make my own…

Source

The easiest way to make your own is with a mason jar, which makes it totally kid-friendly!!! You can glue just about anything to the lid of the jar, but I really like the simplicity of this one from Julie Ann Art. Make sure you use white trees though so the water won’t turn green over time.

Source

Or, for the wino at heart, check out these wonderful wine glass snow globes from Family Chic!!! I think they’d make such a fun, unique tablescape or mantel arrangement for the holidays. Plus, since they’re waterless, you won’t have to worry about any leaks or breakage when you store year to year!

Happy Holidays!!!

Hope you all have a very merry Christmas and can get some R&R during the holiday bustle! If you want some more holiday decorating ideas, be sure to check out our Christmas, Segreto Style post from last year or this one that’s all about setting the table and entertaining for the holidays. Have a very Merry Christmas. I am so blessed for all my blog friends and have lots of great stories for you in 2016!!!