Paper Chains

Don't laugh, these easy decorations offer an easy way to add a lot of color to your room. Combined with other decorations they can look quite elegant.

You have two choices when creating these chains: use gold and silver paper, or use white (or other colored) paper then spray paint gold or silver when the chain is assembled. When you made these chains as a kid, the paper was often cut into strips of 1" to 2" wide. To make daintier chains, cut the paper into 3/8" to 1/2" wide strips about 4" long.

White Lights

String small white (clear) Christmas lights across your room to accent the paper chains. Keep them far enough from chains and balloons so that nothing catches fire.

Balloons

Use helium filled balloons in white, silver and gold. Tie them in small bunches of 3 - 5 balloons. Tie them to table legs or the backs of chairs or float them so that they stick in the corners of your room.

Candles

Candles add elegance. Use long white, silver or gold tapers. You can create your own etched glass candleholders: use the same techniques used in creating etched glassware to etch small juice glasses. Place a candle cup inside each juice glass. Add a candle. If you wish, you can use 3-dimensional fabric paint to paint on the candles, too.

Nibbles

Fill glass candy dishes with foil wrapped chocolate coins or kisses to add more gold and silver to the room.

Christmas Ornaments

Fill a large bowl with silver or gold glass Christmas balls. These look beautiful on a table next to some lit taper candles. The light from the candles will reflect off of the ornaments.

Fabric Draping

If you can locate some, large pieces of silver or gold fabrics can be draped over your couch, chairs, tables, etc. Of course, white fabrics are easy to locate and can be helpful if your furniture is colored in a way that detracts from the silver and gold theme. You don't need to be overly neat with your draping - go for a casual look. You may hem the pieces, if you like, but it's not necessary. Just fold the edges under.

Dress up Your Curtains and Windows

Cut large stars from gold and silver foil wrapping paper. Tape them in your windows (just tack in place using scotch tape), or pin them to your curtains.