Paper lantern bags
Grab a few plain paper lunch bags, cut simple star or tree shapes into the front and pop a battery tea light inside. They create a warm, soft glow and look surprisingly elegant lined up on a table or bench.
Wrapped-branch feature
Snip one or two bare branches from your garden and stand them in a vase. Wrap a string of fairy lights around them or hang a few lightweight paper decorations.
Simple tabletop ‘trees’
Roll sturdy paper into cones, tape the join at the back, then wrap the cone in fabric or strips of leftover wrapping paper. Make a few in different heights for a quick, stylish cluster.
Glassware cluster
Pull together a mixed group of glasses – or even jars — tall ones, short ones, mismatched — and place one bauble or small decoration inside each. Group them on a tray or board and you’ve got a simple display with a bit of Christmas sparkle. You could even make some fake snow to pop inside!
Ribbon wall hanging
Cut ribbon lengths in a single colour family, tie them onto a stick, dowel or even a clothes hanger, and let them hang freely. It becomes a minimalist, modern take on a wall hanging.
Book ‘pyramid’
Stack around ten books from largest to smallest so they form a stepped pyramid, then wind a single ribbon or fairy-light strand around the stack. It looks like a tiny abstract Christmas tree and works well on side tables and shelves.
Noodle wreath
Grab a pool noodle, make it into a circle, fasten, and add baubles for a simple wreath.
