20 Quick Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit

Spice Things Up

Fill a pot about half full with water, bring to a boil on the stovetop, and toss in some favorite seasonal herbs. Cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice, vanilla and nutmeg plus some fruity leftovers like orange rinds and apple peels all work well together. Let simmer. Add water every so often to keep the smell of the season simmering.

Make Spirits Bright

Cluster a group of holiday lights on a bar cart, console, bedside table or around a mirror for a quick hit of atmospheric holiday cheer.

Glitter Galore

Throw an ornament-making party: Take all of the leftover material from this past year's DIY attempts and inevitable craft fails (glitter, beads, glue, felt, ribbon, that bad-idea sweater purchase to cut up) for everyone to play around with and make new decorations.

'Toon Time

Channel your early love for Charlie Brown and commiserate with him as he struggles to find the meaning of Christmas.

Lamp Revamp

A clever idea from Woman's Day is to cut the sleeve off an old holiday sweater, pull over the base of a table lamp, folding the cuff over at the top while tucking the base of the sleeve under so you don't see the edge.

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Have a Ball

Fill glass bowls and jars with ornaments and sprinkle around the house. Focus on a single color palette to make the display look more sophisticated.

Deck the Halls

Another idea from Woman's Day is to turn pretty holiday cards into instant decorations by stapling cards to lengths of ribbon and tacking them up in eye-catching spots, such as along the stairwell or over an entryway mirror.

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Outside Chance

Rather than create a floral display inside the house, spruce up your front porch by adding pinecones, fir branches, berries and ornaments to window boxes or entryway urns. You'll start feeling festive before you even set foot inside—not to mention the easy cleanup is something everyone can celebrate.

Let It Snow

Leftover paper doilies from parties past can seem a little sad. Give them new life by stringing them together with fishing wire or yarn and hanging across a window or mantel for some snowflake-inspired style.

Seeing Double

Hang a wreath in front of a mirror. It will double the visual impact, making your home look twice as nice.

Mad About Plaid

Another great tip from Woman's Day: Using fabric from old shirts (red and white plaids are especially festive) and embroidery hoops, you can create this ornamental decoration. Loop a ribbon through the top of the hoop and ta-dah—instant holiday charm.

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Story Time

Read "The Night Before Christmas" to your kids, your friend's kids, your neighbor's kids or Skype read it to your far-flung nieces and nephews.

What's Cooking?

Bake a nice zucchini or banana bread (a refreshing break from cookies) and leave it wrapped with a note as a nice surprise on your neighbor's door.

Sing-Along

Turn off the TV and turn on music that put you in the Christmas spirit faster than Bing Crosby can say "Mele Kalikimaka." Download this free Christmas Radio App.

Street Smarts

Drive around local neighborhoods that are known for their holiday shows. Search "outdoor holiday lights" plus your zip code on the Web for close-by results.

Ice, Ice, Baby

Ice skate outdoors…or if you have the space and time, you could always build your own with NiceRink's Rink-In-A-Box.

Om Sweet Om

Walk around a tree farm and take in the quiet stillness, breathe in the intoxicating smell of the evergreens and let the power of nature take over.

Stocking Surplus

Add stockings in unexpected places: At the foot of the bed, on the doorknob to a guest room or on a closet door.