Make it a memorable do-it-yourself affair.

• Position: Decorations - Brief article

Think outside the gift box and tap into your family's creativity to deck the halls this year. It never is too early to start thinking about holiday decorating. Here are some decor ideas that will help revelers discover some new and beautiful ways to celebrate the holidays, courtesy of Bowdabra creator Sandy Sandler:

Family-made Christmas ornaments. Instead of purchasing tree decorations, choose a theme each year and have individual family members create an ornament. In time, your tree will be decorated with memories of each year's theme and the time spent making ornaments together.

Tabletop decor. Use Christmas tree trimmings, votives, and fruits to create an attractive centerpiece for your table. Tie napkins with bows that coordinate with your dinnerware. Create tiny personal wreaths as place markers for guests and set them on plates, or hang them from the backs of chairs. The little wreaths can be given as take-home gift favors that double as tree ornaments.

Take it outside. Skip the holiday lights on the porch and decorate an outdoor tree with traditional ornaments, like strings of popcorn and red velvet...