DIY HOLIDAY CARD TREE

Deck your hall, mantle or dining table with a holiday card tree that celebrates your loved ones this season! Create a conversation piece with a few organic elements. Here's how:

1. Grab your favorite vase (we used a sturdy, bulbous gold one with a sheer bow to add some sparkle!) and fill it with thin tree branches from your yard or the park. A holly branch will also work as the berries provide beautiful pops of color. (Note: If you use a lighter weight vase, fill it with sand to ground it.)

2. Use twine, ribbon or clothes pins to attach the holiday cards to the branches. Alternate sizes and shapes to add visual interest. As more cards arrive, your tree blossoms!

3. String yarn, ribbon or a popcorn garland around the tree to marry the branches and unify the overall look.

4. Wrap a few boxes with butcher paper, twine or seasonal adornments (small glittered pinecones, paper stars, or wooden ornaments) and set the packages around the base of the vase.

5. Once the tree is at capacity, display extra cards around it.

DIY CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY CRAFT TABLE

It's all in the details! If you're hosting a holiday party that will include children this season, create an interactive area that will keep them occupied! Here's a few tips for putting together the perfect table that will also inspire wonderful photo-taking opportunities!

1. Cover the table with butcher paper to provide kids with a blank canvas for their art.

2. Skip traditional place cards and doodle each child's name (and a fun drawing) at the top of their place setting.

3. A mason jar of colored twig pencils, crayons or markers that each little hand can reach doubles as a fun centerpiece.

4. Baskets of construction paper and cardboard cutouts allow children to get crafty between courses. We made a few simple acorn (non-lit) candles, hand-turkey bread and butter "plates" and fallen leaves as examples for our guests. By the end of the meal, there were ample new creations!

5. Don't forget to photograph the candid moments (and scribble down the priceless anecdotes) that occur when a group of kids come together to chat, laugh and create.