Decorating with Extra Ornaments

Pull glassware out of the cabinets and onto a mantel for an easy arrangement using ornaments and other holiday decor.

Let curled ribbon drape out of a champagne flute. Place one ornament in a martini glass. Stack mini ornaments in a beer glass. Or create a "flower" in a clay pot with a wine glass and ornaments. Put a votive candle holder upside down inside the pot as a base for the glass. Secure the glass to the top of the holder with double-sided tape. Crumple tissue paper around the base of the glass, and fill with mini ornaments.

Create an unusual holiday display with a vintage ladder. Wrap rungs with colorful ribbon, then hang ornaments. 

Add cheer to your holiday table setting by tying an ornament or two to napkins. Ornaments can also double as place cards (and be hostess gifts for guests!). 

Make a white frame (or spreay-paint one) a pretty focal point by hanging an ornament from the hook in back. 

Use smaller ornaments as pretty add-ons for gift wrap. Evergreen sprays and faux berries are a special touch.

To make a showy centerpiece, place solid-color ball ornaments inside a clear-glass vase and "serve" on a silver tray. Sprinkle faux snow over the display, and wrap it up with matching ribbon.

A few Christmas elements add up to one dashing display! Place a large ball ornament, a single rose and a few evergreen sprigs on a dinner plate. Cover the arrangement with a cloche. To keep the rose fresh, put the stem in a florist's water tube. Or for a super-easy display, just use smaller or contrasting ornaments instead of the flower.

Do you have a potted evergreen outside? Decorate the plant or the pot with inexpensive ornaments.

Put coordinating colors of surplus ornaments in urns, vases, goblets and bowls of different sizes. Finish with bright green pine branches for a woodsy touch.

Top clear or silver candlesticks with vintage ornaments for a simple Christmas centerpiece, mantel arrangement or side table display.

Create a personalized holiday display by filling glass cylinder vases with a photograph and ornaments. Click to the next slide to see how to make a mantel arrangement from this idea.

Photo vases (see previous slide) add a personal touch to this mantel. Finish the look with candles, flowers and candy canes in clear glass holders. For an easy garland, string ornaments along a ribbon.

Hang extra ornaments from a chandelier. Depending on the style of your fixture, use hooks or ribbon to hang the ornaments.

Vintage or ceramic cupcake holders make a perfect (and portable) holder for ornaments.