How to Make A Votive Candle Runway For Santa!

Whether you live in a home with young children who are excitedly awaiting the arrival of Santa, or merely want to create a festive welcome for guests arriving during a party, here is a simple way to light the way!

Side note: Looking at these pictures I just have to smile! This is a tutorial I was asked to write last winter for HGTV.com, and I wasn't certain I'd actually be able to pull it off. I mean, we don't have snow every year in the NW. However, I gathered my supplies, took the "steps" photos and then set everything by the front door to wait for snow to capture the "beauty shoot." Perhaps I'd get lucky before the article deadline and snow would magically appear at my front door. Well what do you know, one night the weather report claimed snow might just arrive early the next morning. So I set my alarm for a crazy hour and amazingly snow was falling! I quickly moved out the glass cylinders, lit the candles and started capturing photos. This brief snowfall ended up being the only snow we saw all winter, talk about luck.

A few minutes later I heard screams of delight. The kids had awaken and wanted to get out and play in the snow asap...at a few minutes past six! I blew out the candles, bundled them up and off we went to make snowmen! What fun, I hope we are as lucky this year.

Materials Needed:

• several glass cylinders or mason jars
• rock salt
• votives

• length of garland
• matches

Gather Supplies

Select glass cylinders or jars and gather votives and rock salt.

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Fill Containers

Pour rock salt into each container, filling approximately 1/5 full.

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Place Votives

Arrange votive in each container, pushing votive down into salt to secure in place.

Light Candles

Light candles, arrange along steps and enhance with a length of garland.

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Wait for Santa to Arrive

Enjoy your handiwork, set out some milk and cookies and get ready for the man in the red suit to make an appearance.

To read this and other holiday decorating ideas visit HGTV.com

Easy To Make DIY Architectural Letters

Sometime last spring I was busy working on a few holiday DIY tutorials for HGTV.com. How fun to finally be able to share these projects with you! Even earlier, when working on the Master Bedroom Redesign, I had such a great time making the "M" and "I" Architectural Letters for the art wall that I thought this could become a fun holiday project as well, using letters to spell a word fitting of the season.

Here are the steps to create your own...it couldn't be more easy!
{paper mache letters available at JoAnn Fabrics}

Materials Needed:

• paper mache letters
• tinted primer
• silver metallic paint

• rust-colored acrylic paint
• foam and bristle brushes
• rag

Gather Supplies

Select letters, gather paint, brushes and rag.

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Apply Primer

Brush a layer of primer over letter surfaces, leaving noticeable brush strokes in varying directions. Let dry to the touch.

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Apply Metallic Paint

Brush a layer of metallic paint over letter surfaces, leaving noticeable brush strokes in varying directions.

Wipe Letters

Wipe away excess metallic paint with rag.

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Add Rust Accents

Mix or use rust-colored paint to brush highlights over letter edges and any rough or raised areas.

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Wipe Letters

Wipe away excess rust-colored paint.

Apply Second Coat of Metallic Paint

Brush on second layer of metallic paint to diffuse rust accents.

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Rub In and Wipe Away

Using rag, rub in metallic paint and wipe away any excess.

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Display the Letters

Spell out the season's greetings on a table, mantel or location of your choice to spread a little holiday joy.

To see this and other holiday decorating ideas, visit HGTV.com

Easy Holiday Decor Ideas

When it comes to holiday decor, I prefer simple! Here's how my table is looking.

Simply dress up an existing candle tray by wrapping glittery garland around candles 

and scatter ornaments among the branches for a bright, colorful look.

See this and other ideas for creating a festive home this holiday at HGTV.com