’TIS THE SEASON FOR CUTE CRAFTS: OUR DESIGNER MILLIE’S HOLIDAY DIYS

Ready to get a little festive? Team Madewell has you covered. Millie shared her favorite projects to keep things merry and bright, from extra special tree décor to personalized (and, yay, sustainable!) wrapping paper.

1. THE PRETTIEST POPCORN-CRANBERRY GARLAND

“Supereasy and only a tiny bit time intensive. All you need is a spool of thread, a sturdy needle, popped popcorn, fresh cranberries and a bit of patience as you string. Rather than going for one loooooong garland, I suggest making several that are each about three to four feet—they’re easier to drape on the branches and less likely to fall apart.”

2. SWEET ‘N’ SHINY DRIED CITRUS ORNAMENTS

“Let’s keep this food theme going. Cut some blood oranges, regular oranges, limes, lemons, and/or grapefruits into ¼ inch slices and brush with sugar water on both sides. Place them on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet in a 150-degree oven. Check on them every hour or so and flip ’em over, and they should be good to after three hours (you’ll know they’re done when they’re dry to the touch). Tie ribbons or twine onto each and you’ve got ornaments!”

3. PERFECTLY PERSONAL HAND-STAMPED WRAPPING PAPER

“I’d like to thank the Pee Wee Herman Christmas special for teaching me one of my other fave traditions. You just need a couple potatoes, a knife, paint and butcher paper (or, if you’re me, the inside of a grocery bag). Cut each potato in half then use the knife to whittle away the negative space of your desired shape and voila, a homemade stamp. I usually stick to simple geometry and sometimes I dip the pad of my pinky finger into the paint to add tiny dots, too. Don’t forget to compost or make use of any leftover potato!”

Thanks, Millie (!). Now that décor’s covered, how’s that holiday shopping going? Head to our Gift Well Guide for help.