{just typing that #5 made me hum Mambo Number 5…not very Christmas-y. lol!} Welcome! It’s a busy time of year, that’s for sure! You’re all ready for the holidays, right? If so – you’re on the ball, an amazing planner and I’m envious! I’m done with decorating and started on my shopping but not I’m not finished and I haven’t wrapped anything yet. I mostly wait until I have it all in one big pile then I have a wrapping party. for 1. by myself. not singing Mambo #5, but Christmas tunes. And that’d be why it’s a party for one. But I do love wrapping pretty presents!

Let’s move on to some highlights from last week’s DIY Holiday Highlights party, shall we?

DIY Christmas Highlights

I love.love.LOVE this hostess gift idea from Denise at Painted Home Designs…a cheery bucket of DIY kindling packs: newspaper wrapped pinecone, rosemary or cinnamon sticks and dried twigs tied with twine.  So original and a gift that will get used (if the hostess has a fireplace or woodburner of course)…

There are so many unique and beautiful DIY projects went into the Christmas mantel at Down to Earth style. My favorite is the window with candles…placed in the shape of a tree but loving the twig Christmas tree bases on either side as well. I also know what a challenge decorating a mantel when a tv above is the focal point. Holly did a beautiful job!

Rebecca from The Crafted Sparrow’s nutcracker mantel is filled with awesome DIY accents as well including the awesome nutcracker silhouette canvases, sweet felt trees and a holiday sled makeover. Simple. Beautiful.

I’m a fan of reindeer and silhouettes and sparkle. Okay, so everything Christmas. Did you see the cutest simple sparkle reindeer art tutorial at OPC’s The Better Half? It’s a darling decorative accent for a Christmas-cheerful mantel…

Last week, I also shared my tutorial for a lighted starburst mirror tree topper…

Do have some holiday posts to share? You’re invited to link up! I can’t wait to browse through the links, listen to some Christmas music, warm up some cocoa and visit.  Nothing to share? Join me by taking a look at the links for some inspiration!

And in case you didn’t know: There’s a Christmas tree party & contest going on right now! Link up here, there and everywhere.  It’s a holiday party time of year.

Make sure to visit a few of the links to make some new friends for the holidays.Comments, pinning and sharing links this time of year are one of the best blog gifts!

{grab button html on the left side bar}

• Link YOUR NEW Holiday DIY projects only please! If linking an old project, please reintroduce in a 2012 post to share.
• Please link back to this party in some way {permalink or the grab the button html from the side bar}.
• By linking up you give permission to be a favorite holiday feature {with a link back your site}.
• I will share links to your post on Facebook, Twitter, G+ and Pinterest. Feel free to do the same! Thanks!

On wrapping presents: Gift wrap is going to be a DIY project for me this year. Empty nest = extra time. I do love wrapping gifts and consider myself a professional giftwrapper (lol!) but I’ve always bought pretty coordinating paper. I’m buying this {affiliate link} which should last me a while {and work for other DIY projects too!}…

Reader submitted Christmas Trees for the Christmas tree contest:

Wendy’s blue and silver beauty: