December is here which means it’s time to get into the holiday spirit and deck the halls. To kick off the most wonderful time of the year, we’re hosting a holiday decorating contest to celebrate our residents. We will be choosing weekly winners every Monday to receive a $100 gift card to Amazon and a matching amount to their charity of choice.

To stir up some inspiration, we’ve gathered a few holiday DIY projects that embrace the season. Here are a few we’re particularly excited to try.

Popcorn Garland

Enjoy a snack and fun decor when you make your very own popcorn garland. First, buy popcorn kernels, place them in a brown paper bag, and microwave (be sure to make extra for snacking). Avoid adding butter or any other ingredients to keep them as dry as possible. Then, with a sewing needle thread the pieces together and into a long string. Then, hang wherever you please!

Dried Oranges

Another festive and edible decorating idea is to dry oranges and string them in the same way you did the popcorn. First, set your oven to 225 degrees. Then, slice your oranges and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake for three hours or until the oranges become slightly brown.

DIY Candles

Making your own candles is both easy and affordable. For long, tapered candles, all you need is wax, wicks, and a candle mold. Simply melt the wax in a pot, insert the wick into the mold, and pour. To incorporate festive colors, check out this liquid dye from Candle Science.

We cannot wait to see how your holiday decorations turn out and be sure to stay tuned for more contest details! To learn more about life at Lincoln, reach out to the team today.