Christmas is all about the trimmings, and in the past few years we've seen an enormous growth in home decorations for the festive season. They can cost a bob or two, however. So we've come up with some you can make at home and have a lot of fun into the bargain.

Puffball wreath

Fabric to match your Christmas theme in contrasting patterns

Cushion filling

Needle and thread

Ribbons to match

Thin ribbon to trim

1. Cut out nine circles from your fabric, either six inches or eight inches in diameter, depending on how large you want your wreath.

2. Make each puffball by running needle and thread in a simple in-and-out running stitch around the edge of each disc, then draw the threads up loosely to make a ball. Stuff firmly with cushion filling then draw the threads tight and secure.

3. Stitch the puffballs together in a circle.

4. Hide the joins with loops of fine ribbon, tied in bows and add a loop at the top to hang.

5. Stitch strands of the broader ribbon to the bottom to trail down.

Antique Music Sheets

You need:

Sheets of music (or photocopies of old ones)

A solution of cold tea

Instant coffee

Matches

Ribbon.

1.Taking a broad brush, sweep the tea over the sheet to create an 'antique' look. While it is still wet, drop grains of instant coffee on top to create the 'foxing' spots you get on old paper.

2. Allow to dry. Then carefully singe the edges with matches to create a 'treasure map' look. Have water handy in case things go wrong!

3. Roll the sheets up and tie with ribbon.

Fragrant Orange Candleholders

You need:

Oranges

Tea lights

Cloves

1. Cut a section out of the top of the orange a grapefruit knife is good for this. The hole should be just large enough for the tea light to fit snugly inside.

2. Fit in the tea light, then stick cloves in all round the edge. If you have patience, cover the whole orange in cloves the orange will dry and become a pomander.

Festive candlesticks

You will need:

A pair of wooden candlesticks

Plastic ivy

Florist's wire

Spray paint in festive colours of green, red, gold and/or silver

1. Rub the candlesticks down lightly with sandpaper to remove any varnish, then spray with your base colour. Allow to dry.

2. Use the gold paint with a sweeping motion to highlight areas of the candlesticks.

3. Spray the ivy gold and/or silver and dry.

5. Twine the ivy up the candlestick, fixing if necessary with florist's wire.

Warning: never leave candles unattended, and do not allow them to burn the ivy.

What about a theme for this year's tree?

Some quick advice before you begin the fun part, make sure that once you get your tree home, treat it like a bunch of cut flowers: trim the end of the trunk and keep the pot topped up with water

Traditional: Red and green are traditional colours at Christmas. Wind strings of red beads around the tree, starting at the top; try tiny bunches of dried roses tied up with ivy as unusual decorations, or fill small bags made from red velvet with lavender for fragrance; tie the tops with gold cord.

Silver: A dramatic and elegant tree. Tie wire-edged silver ribbon into bows, spray pine cones silver and add glass balls in white and silver. Metallic wrapping paper makes great paper chains.

Sweet treat: A novel idea if you can keep the kids off it! Decorate this tree with candy canes, gingerbread men and little bundles of sweets, wrapped in cellophane and tied with a gold cord bow. String popcorn (the unbuttered kind!) on long strands of thread to wind round the tree.

Tartan Ideal for your Scots Pine: Wrap small boxes in tartan paper and hang them up by gold or silver cords; use tartan ribbon for extravagant bows; make shortbread biscuits in Christmas shapes , piercing a hole for a loop of gold thread.

Decorating your garden

Outdoor decorations are as colourful or as elegant as you choose. If you want to keep things simple, stick to plain gold or white lights to outline windows and decorate trees.

On the other hand, if you really want to brighten up the winter nights and drive away the darkness, you will be able to choose this year from a vast array of coloured lights which will move, flash and flicker.

Remember that all outdoor lights must be made specifically for that purpose as they will have to withstand extremely damp and cold weather. Buy only from reputable stores, as electricity can kill if products are unsafe, or unsafely used, so make sure you follow the instructions. A circuit-breaker is also a good idea for use where your lights plug in.

But if lights aren't just enough, there will be plenty more ideas to choose from. More and more lawns are being lit up by Santa and sleigh silhouettes picked out in lights, or by glowing snowmen and Santas; the DIY stores are promising a host of designs to choose from this festive season.

But don't entirely forget tradition. You can create a welcoming entrance for your Christmas guests by placing a wreath on the door and then surrounding the entire frame in greenery; thread simple lights though it for extra effect.

Put up an outside Christmas tree to keep the birds happy; thread peanuts and popcorn to string round it which they can peck, or make balls out of fat mixed with seeds and shelled nuts, tied on with ribbon.

If it's cold but fine, light up your patio with candle lanterns or paint glass jars with glass paint to create seasonal candle holders; wrap up warm and hold a winter barbecue on dry days.10 easy ideas1. Ask a garden centre for offcuts from Christmas trees and fix them into swags with wire. Then twine in pieces of ivy or attach holly and berries for a fireplace decoration.

2. Wrap empty boxes of all sizes in Christmas paper and stack on your mantlepiece for a bright display.

3. Make Choirboys by cutting out Polo-shapes of white or gold paper. Then cut across and shape into cones. Make heads by spraying polystyrene balls pink or gold and drawing on simple faces. Add paper arms and songsheets.

4. Turn jam jars into beautiful stained-glass candle holders by painting or stencilling them with glass paint. Put a tea-light inside.

5. Stand holly in a glass vase.

6. Turn oranges into festive pomanders by pinning ribbon in two crossing loops around the orange and tying into a hanging loop at the top. Then fill the spaces between by sticking in cloves.

7. Cut aluminium drink cans in half with sharp scissors, then cut points like a flower and curl them down for star-shaped candle-holders.

8. Fill a bowl with baubles in different shapes and finishes but all in toning colours.

9. Thread popping popcorn together and hang.

10. Find a bare tree branch, spray it silver and hang glass droplets, earrings, and silver baubles from it for a delicate, crystal effect.