Easy Last Minute Christmas Ideas

In this post: Easy last minute Christmas ideas that you can do by using things you already have on hand…or things you can get at any grocery store! 

I’m hoping this finds you in good shape for the holiday weekend, but just in case you need a bit of last minute inspiration, I’ve got you covered. All of the ideas I’m sharing below can be accomplished with things you already have on hand, or things that can be easily picked up at the grocery store. 

*Affiliate links included. Click HERE for my disclosure statement.

The easiest centerpiece ever is simply to layer fresh pine in a bowl, and add something festive. Use any bowl or tray you have on hand. If you don’t have any pine you can clip from your yard, pick some up at the grocery. Most pine will last at least a few days indoors, so there is no need to use any water. Some suggestions for the festive part:

• pomegranates
• red and green Anjou pears
• red and green apples
• clove oranges: click {HERE} for easy directions
• Christmas ball ornaments

The best thing about a low centerpiece is that your guests will be able to see each other across the table! (Click HERE for the long dough bowl.)

If you want to dress up your place settings, all you need is twine and fresh greenery. Simply lay the greenery on your napkin and finish with a piece of twine tied in a bow. It’s optional to string on a tiny ornament, but it only takes an extra few seconds. If you are serving a buffet, wrap each flatware set with a napkin, tie it all together with a piece of twine, and tuck in a small piece of greenery. Put the flatware sets in a basket or on a tray at the front of your buffet line. 

Related: DIY No Sew Linen Napkins

One more easy centerpiece idea is to put fresh greens in a pitcher or vase that’s been filled with water. Something like this would be perfect for the beginning or end of a buffet line, or if your table is small. Make sure to give the pine pieces a fresh snip on the ends before placing them in the vessel. 

Cranberry Christmas Cocktail/Mocktail

Need an easy but oh so refreshing drink idea? Mix equal parts of cranberry juice, ginger ale, and orange juice. You can make as much or as little as you want. Float some fresh cranberries in the glasses and if you have an extra orange, slice it to use as a garnish. Want an alcoholic drink? Just add a shot of vodka or gin to each glass. 

Variations:

• You can use any kind of cranberry juice you want…the real thing or the cocktail version. I used Diet Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Drink.
• Tonic can be substituted for the ginger ale. To save even more calories, I used diet ginger ale. 
• Fresh orange juice is amazing, but feel free to use whatever is easiest. I used Tropicana 50.
• If you have time, make cranberry ice cubes. Add one or two cranberries to each vessel of an ice cube tray. Pour in cranberry juice and freeze until solid. 

Finally, just in case you find yourself needing a little down time, here is a short list of my favorite Christmas shows. I’ve also indicated where the shows can be watched. This list is in no way complete…but hopefully you will find something new that you’ve never seen, or perhaps something that you haven’t seen for a long time. 

Amazon: Rent

The Holiday (One of my favorites. You will laugh one minute and cry the next!)
Home Alone (My family tries to watch this every year. Even after all this time, we still love it.)
Little Women 1994 (Susan Sarandon as Marmee. My favorite version.)
The Family Man

Amazon: Free with a Prime Membership (via the Amazon Prime Video app)

Downton Abbey Season 2 Episode 9
Downton Abbey Season 5 Episode 9
Downton Abbey Season 6 Episode 9 (These are my three favorite episodes ever of Downton Abbey. I promise you will smile at the end of each one.)
It’s a Wonderful Life
Christmas Miracle
A Christmas Carol (in color)
Holiday Engagement
Holiday Inn

 Netflix

White Christmas (Bing and Rosemary Clooney. Need I say more?)
Love Actually
The Princess Switch (I thought this was cute. Sort of has a Hallmark feel to it.)
A Christmas Prince 
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding

Sign up for a free month of Netlix {HERE.}

Sign up for Amazon Prime {HERE.}

That’s a wrap for Christmas 2018. I’ll be back for Home Style Saturdays and I’ll be sending an email to my subscribers on Sunday. If you aren’t on my list, but would like to join, just click {HERE.} After that, I’ll be taking some time off to spend with my family. I’ll be back before the New Year, so until then…