diy :: make the kitchen festive...

This fall has rolled right into my favorite time of year with the early snow. While I have been ready for Christmas music all summer, I satisfy the rest of the world by waiting until after Halloween to start playing it to anyone more than myself.

Christmas music, check! That brings me to step two, putting up the tree. Ever-so patiently, I waited until the day after Thanksgiving to harvest our first family tree and put it up in our living room. After unpacking all my Christmas decor that used to grace my 500 square foot loft, I realized two things. First, I do not own nearly enough Christmas decorations to cover an entire house. Second, we really only have two or three rooms that are 'complete' enough to decorate.

A kitchen might not be the typical place you would see a ton of Christmas decor, but I thought it was a room we could add a small holiday zest too. Cue my DIY paper Merry Christmas banner!

It was an inexpensive little craft I made a few years ago, and I have still put it out every holiday season. Gracing mantels, window sills, bed frames and walls - this year it hangs proudly in my kitchen. All of its 12 pieces of paper and about 1 yard of twine, it has received more compliments than any other festive paraphernalia I own.

So, in the spirit of the Christmas season, I want to share a little holiday DIY cheer with you! Let me show you how I made this little project...

Merry Christmas Banner Instructions

1. Purchase some festive card stock (I used a small pad from Michael's), or you could even use old Christmas cards with neat prints!

2. Download my Merry Christmas Banner Letters by clicking the link. If you want to use a different font, you can set up your own document and outline your letters. Make sure to choose a bold font.

3. Load your paper in the printer so that the letters print on the blank/white side of your paper or  cards. (That is why the letters are set up looking like a mirrored image.) That will allow you to have the ink on the back, and not show ink lines on the front of your letters.

4. Cut out your letters!

5. Punch two holes in the top of every letter. Be careful not to get too close to the edges.

6. Measure the amount of twine, ribbon, rope, string, etc. and cut a long piece. Evaluate where you think you will be hanging your letters so you have enough. Give yourself enough to be able to tie/secure it in place.

7. String your letters on and center align them on your string/twine/ribbon.

8. Affix your Christmas cheer to surface.

9. Boil water, add cocoa, 3 large marshmallows and a candy cane stir stick and enjoy your thrifty festive decor.

10. Share photos via Facebook and Instagram using #christmasletterstrand - let's see where you put them in your home!