Maximizing Space With Vertical Decor
Boxes pile up in the hallway, but then I look up and realize the walls are just sitting there, blank and bored. Less floor space? I start sticking stuff everywhere—gravity, whatever. Air’s just more real estate.
Command Hooks For Easy Hanging
Command hooks, man, they’re everywhere now. Used to think they weren’t my style—now I’m slapping them on cabinet doors, next to the fridge, over my calendar, wherever.
Peel, stick, done. Now towels hang off the fridge, tinsel dangles from the ceiling, sometimes crooked, but it’s December, who cares? These things hold more than I thought, honestly.
Here’s a quick table because I’ll forget:
| Where I Use Command Hooks | What Ends Up Hanging There |
|---|---|
| Hall closet door | Stockings, mini wreath |
| Above kitchen counter | Garland, Christmas cards |
| Shower tile (strangely) | Santa hat I keep forgetting |
Sometimes the paint comes off with the hook. Future problem. Also, put a few at knee level and now the cat’s obsessed with stealing the garland. Should’ve seen that coming.
Creating Holiday Scenes On Walls
Walls aren’t just for old art anymore. I grab leftover wrapping paper, tape up stars near the smoke detector, call it a scene. Not a gallery—more like, hey, there’s a felt tree with lopsided pom-poms. I probably did that on a Wednesday afternoon.
Paper cutouts everywhere—snowflakes (sometimes look like purple spiders, oops), marker fireplace, battery lights tangled up. Tape falls off, guests think it’s kindergarten art. I don’t correct them.
Static cling vinyl’s supposed to not leave residue, but there’s always glitter stuck around months later. My favorite wall scene? The snowman made of paper plates, hot glue, and a beanie I borrowed. Cat avoids it, so that’s a win.
Stylish and Sustainable Gift Wrapping
Honestly, just dig through the kitchen drawer or grab a grocery bag—there’s always something usable in the chaos. Kraft paper, some old scarves, random fabric, or that apron I swear I’ll use for a recipe someday. Gift wrapping is less about what goes in the trash now, more about what’s already lying around.
Upcycling Kraft Paper and Fabric
Started hoarding kraft paper after a package showed up wrapped in it. It’s just brown paper, nothing special. Draw a stick figure, stamp something, and suddenly it looks “rustic” or whatever. Crumple it up and flatten it—wrinkles look intentional.
Fabric’s a whole different mess—scarves, bandanas, sewing project leftovers I’ll never finish. Furoshiki’s easy enough if you don’t overthink it. Table: Common Fabric Choices
| Fabric Option | Upcycle Source |
|---|---|
| Scarves | Closet clean-out |
| Aprons | Kitchen, random purchases |
| Bandanas | Old accessories |
| Leftover cloth | Craft box or odd drawers |
Aprons work if they’re just sitting there. Feels like cheating, but nobody’s judging. Sometimes I layer: kraft paper, fabric ribbon, a dried orange slice if I’m feeling Martha Stewart. Glue everywhere, but it’s fine.
How To Tie The Perfect Bow
You ever fall down the YouTube rabbit hole for bow-tying? I swear, I still mess it up every time—the cat’s got the ribbon, I’m distracted, someone’s texting. Wired ribbon’s the only stuff that listens, honestly. The limp kind? Nope, it just flops over, like, why do they even sell that? All those tidy lists—cut, loop, cross—like anyone remembers when you’re elbow-deep in wrapping paper and your phone buzzes.
Here’s what I end up doing, more or less:
- Hack off a long piece. Trust me, you’ll need more than you think.
- Make two big, floppy loops. Bunny ears, but sadder.
- Cross ‘em, yank it tight, hope for the best.
- If it’s lopsided, whatever. Stick some rosemary or random greenery on top, call it rustic.
Tying bows on fabric? Ugh. The knot slides, the fabric stretches, and suddenly I’m questioning my life choices. My bows always end up sideways, but apparently that’s “in” now. Gift bags with those stiff handles are so much easier, but then what’s the point? Sometimes I just slap on a tag made from a cereal box. Feels right.
