Something magical happens when everyday home decor is infused with bright and cheerful holiday crafts. Sprinklings of festive pieces all over the home remind us that wonderful meals, social gatherings, and a well-deserved break from the doldrums of work and school are almost here.

There is also something extra fun about gathering socially in a place where holiday decorations abound. Perhaps on a subconscious level they allow us to relax, be merry and forgo any guilt over second helpings of dessert or an extra glass of wine.

Here we've compiled 14 of our best holiday crafts. From sewing to painting to knitting, there's a little something for every skill. Enjoy!

Holiday crafts
• Knitted Stockings
Create a keepsake stocking for someone you love. Start with an easy solid-colour stocking, then tackle a striped one. Or, for more of a challenge, make the homey Fair Isle version. And -- to help out Santa -- backstitch or duplicate-stitch a name across each.

• Crocheted Snowflake Afghan
This cozy throw is perfect for storytime in an easy chair or catnaps on the sofa.

• Elegant Table Linens
Sew a few simple stitches and add special-occasion style to table linens. Embroider the sprigs in seasonal colours or opt for the classic white-on-white.

• Tree Topper and Tree Charms
A quick papier-mâché star for the tree plus whimsical wooden cutouts for the whole family to make.

• Hurricane Candle Centrepiece
Create a centrepiece your children will love. Even in the flickering candlelight, Frosty and his friends won't melt.

• Folkloric Tree Skirt
Embroider easy little trees -- using raffia makes the stitches big and bold.

• Rectangular Wreaths
Build a wreath around a recycled frame -- any size or shape -- using fresh or faux greenery. Or make more than one and group them together on a wall.

• Ribbon Wreath
Lustrous ribbons tie into a shimmery wreath. For a lush look, remember to plump up each bow.

• Christmas Mat
This welcome-Christmas floor mat can work at home all winter long and lie around at the cottage during the summer.

• Fire-Starter Kit
Pinecone fire starters are the perfect hostess gift to take along on chilly nights.

• Festive Nut Bowls and Coasters in a Box
Add seasonal colour to everyday wooden bowls plus paint some tiles to place in a gilded box.

• Fancy Holiday Footstool
Transform an inexpensive craft-store footstool into a tuffet with a pleated skirt and a cushy little pillow.

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