Cheerful ideas for Christmas displays

How to display cards
As Christmas cards start to arrive, finding space for them can be a challenge. This year, try regarding them as Christmas decorations in their own right with these easy ideas from Ryland Peters & Small's Christmas Inspirations.

Remember that Christmas cards look best en masse rather than dotted around the room and dedicate space accordingly. Twig mesh, available in long lengths from florists, is great for a sort of random group display; just punch a hole in each card and tie it onto the mesh with bright ribbon or raffia.

For a look that's more considered, suspend cards on lengths of ribbon weighted with baubles or crystal drops. A hallway is the perfect spot for a display like this. Lengths of ribbon or strips of fabric tied to the banisters look great when glimpsed from other rooms and will brighten up an area that is often overlooked.

Cards clipped onto a length of cord along a mantelpiece is another no-fuss way to ensure lots of colour and fun with little effort. But the easiest way to arrange a mass display of cards? Slide the backs of the cards between books on a shelf and let the images be suspended across the spines.

Mantels
Think laterally about displaying cards. A miniature clothesline, with glitter-coated clothes pegs, is both a witty and convenient way to display your cards.

Doors
A length of twig mesh, available from most florists, becomes an ideal pin board for Christmas cards on the front or back of a door.

Stairs
The hall stairs are the perfect place to display a selection of Christmas cards. Take different lengths of medium-width ribbon and weight one end with a glass bauble or chandelier crystal, then attach the cards by sandwiching them around the ribbon and sealing the edges. Finally, tie the ribbon to the bottom of the banisters or secure the ends under the stair carpet.