So, you finally decided to get around to your holiday decorating, only to find that you ran out of ornament hooks last year and never bothered to buy more. Before you pull your hair out or go trudging off to the store, try these alternatives that can be found at home. They actually work as well -- or better! -- than the traditional hooks.
Bobby Pins:
These work wonders for holding bows, ribbons, and garland in place on your tree without being obvious or distracting. Once the pins are in place, your decorations won't budge!
Dental Floss:
Floss is super easy to thread through all kinds of ornaments, and is thin enough to blend in easily with wherever you're hanging decorations. Bonus: use the peppermint kind to have a minty-fresh holiday season!
Hair Elastics:
Thin black or clear hair ties are great for small ornaments, or breakable ones that you want to really "hold on" to your tree. Thread the elastic through the hole in the ornament, then pull one looped end through the other to make a loop-knot. These little babies stay securely elasticized around tree branches, meaning they're virtually pet-proof.
Paperclips:
This one is kind of obvious, but unfolding a paperclip into an "S" shape basically re-creates a traditional ornament hook. Bonus: buy them in red-and-white stripes for an extra-festive, candy cane look.
