As the holiday season approaches, the air fills with the sweet sounds of bells jingling and the warm glow of festive lights. Bells have long been a symbol of the holidays, bringing a sense of joy and nostalgia to any home. Whether you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your Christmas tree or create a charming centrepiece for your dining table, these 13 bell decoration ideas are sure to ring in the holiday spirit.
1. Classic Red and White Bell Garland
Start your holiday decorating with a classic red and white bell garland. This simple yet elegant decoration can be draped over your mantel, or stair railing, or even hung from the ceiling to create a festive atmosphere. The combination of red and white is timeless and perfect for traditional holiday settings.
Pro Tip: To add a personal touch, interweave the bell garland with greenery and pinecones for a natural look.
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Red Bells | 20 |
| White Bells | 20 |
| Greenery | 10 feet |
| Pinecones | 10 |
2. DIY Paper Bell Ornaments
If you’re feeling crafty, try making DIY paper bell ornaments. These can be created using various types of paper, such as patterned scrapbook paper or metallic cardstock. Not only are they cost-effective, but they also add a unique and personalized touch to your holiday decor.
Pro Tip: Use a hole punch to add a small loop at the top of each bell for easy hanging.
How to Make Paper Bell Ornaments
- Cut Out Bell Shapes: Use a template to trace and cut out bell shapes from your chosen paper.
- Fold and Glue: Fold the bell shapes in half and apply glue along the edges to secure them.
- Add a Ribbon: Attach a ribbon or string to the top of each bell for hanging.
- Decorate: Embellish with glitter, markers, or stickers to make them more festive.
3. Bell-themed Christmas Tree Skirt
A bell-themed Christmas tree skirt is a charming addition to your holiday decor. Choose a skirt with a pattern of bells or add your own using iron-on transfers or fabric paint. This will create a cohesive look with your tree decorations and add a touch of elegance to your living room.
Pro Tip: Pair the bell tree skirt with matching ornaments and a garland for a harmonious design.
4. Gold Bell Centerpieces
Elevate your dining table with gold bell centrepieces. These can be created using small gold bells, candles, and a decorative bowl. The warm glow of the candles will create a cozy and inviting atmosphere for your holiday gatherings.
Pro Tip: Add a few sprigs of holly or pine to the centrepieces for a touch of nature.
Materials Needed
- Gold Bells: 10-15
- Candles: 3-5
- Decorative Bowl: 1
- Holly or Pine: 5-10 sprigs
5. Rustic Bell Wreath
Create a rustic bell wreath using a wire frame, burlap, and small bells. This DIY project is perfect for adding a country charm to your front door or above your mantel. The simplicity of the design allows the bells to stand out and create a jingling effect when the wind blows.
Pro Tip: Use a hot glue gun to secure the bells and burlap to the wireframe for a more durable wreath.
6. Bell-Themed Advent Calendar
Make the countdown to Christmas more exciting with a bell-themed advent calendar. Use small bells as the “doors” and place small treats or notes behind each one. This is a fun and interactive way to involve the whole family in the holiday spirit.
Pro Tip: Personalize the advent calendar by using different coloured or patterned bells for each day.
Steps to Create a Bell-Themed Advent Calendar
- Prepare the Bells: Choose 24 small bells and attach a small loop or ribbon to each one.
- Create the Background: Use a large piece of fabric or cardboard as the base for your calendar.
- Attach the Bells: Secure the bells to the background in a grid pattern.
- Add Treats: Place small treats or notes behind each bell for each day leading up to Christmas.
7. Bell-Shaped Cookie Cutters
Add a culinary twist to your holiday decorating by using bell-shaped cookie cutters. Bake and decorate bell-shaped cookies to serve as edible decorations or as part of your holiday treats. These cookies can be hung on the tree or displayed in a cookie jar.
Pro Tip: Use royal icing to decorate the cookies with intricate designs and add a touch of glitter for extra sparkle.
Bell-Shaped Cookie Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a dough forms.
- Roll and Cut: Roll the dough out on a floured surface and use bell-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookies.
- Bake: Place the cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate with royal icing and sprinkles.
8. Bell-Shaped Lanterns
Create a magical atmosphere with bell-shaped lanterns. These can be made using small bells and battery-operated tea lights. Hang them from the ceiling or place them on a table for a festive glow.
Pro Tip: Use a variety of colours of bells to colourize the bells of the different bells and a touch of the holiday season.
Materials Needed
- Small Bells: 10-15
- Battery-Operated Tea Lights a 10-15
- Fishing Line or String for Hanging
9. Bell-Themed Gift Tags
Add a personal touch to your holiday gifts with bell-themed gift tags. These can be made using cardstock, ribbons, and small bells. Not only do they add a jingling element, but they also make the gifts look more festive and thoughtful.
Pro Tip: Write a short message or the recipient’s name on each tag to make it more personalized.
Steps to Create Bell-Themed Gift Tags
- Cut Out Tags: Use cardstock to cut out tag shapes.
- Attach Bells: Glue a small bell to each tag.
- Add Ribbon: Punch a hole at the top of each tag and thread a ribbon through it.
- Write Messages: Personalize each tag with a message or name.
10. Bell-Shaped Snow Globes
Create DIY bell-shaped snow globes as unique and charming decorations. These can be made using small glass or plastic bells, water, glitter, and small figurines. They make for beautiful and whimsical additions to your holiday decor.
Pro Tip: Use a hot glue gun to secure the figurines inside the bells before adding the water and glitter.
Materials Needed
- Small Glass or Plastic Bells a 10-15
- Water
- Glitter
- Small Figurines of 10-15
- Hot Glue Gun
11. Bell-Themed Holiday Cards
Make your holiday greetings more special with bell-themed cards. Use die-cut bells, stickers, and embossing folders to create unique and personalized cards. These can be sent to friends and family or used as place cards at your holiday gatherings.
Pro Tip: Add a small bell charm to each card for an extra festive touch.
Steps to Create Bell-Themed Cards
- Choose Cardstock: Select cardstock in your desired colours and patterns.
- Add Bells: use die-cut bells or stickers to decorate the cards.
- Embellish: use embossing folders to add texture and depth.
- Write Messages: personalize each card with a heartfelt message or holiday greeting.
12. Bell-Shaped Candles
Create bell-shaped candles as a unique and elegant addition to your holiday decor. These can be made using candle moulds and scented wax.
Pro Tip: Use a variety of colours and scents to match your holiday theme.
Materials Needed
- Bell-Shaped Candle Molds a 10-15
- Scented Wax
- Wax Melter
- Double boiler
13. Bell-Themed Outdoor Lights
Enhance your outdoor holiday decor with bell-themed lights. These can be created using small bells and LED lights, and hung from trees or attached to your porch.
Pro Tip: use a timer to control the lights and save energy.
Steps to Create Bell-themed Outdoor Lights
- Gather Materials: collect small bells and LED lights.
- Attach Bells: use a fishing line or string to attach the bells to the lights.
- Hang lights: secure the lights to trees, and porches using hooks or clips.
Conclusion
Bells are a timeless symbol of the holiday season, and these 13 bell decoration ideas are sure to bring joy and warmth to your home. Whether you choose a classic DIY project or a simple addition to your existing decor, these ideas will help you create a festive and memorable holiday season.