SPICING UP THE PLACE: Want to get creative in your holiday decorating? All you need is right there in your commissary

FORT LEE, Va. – Adding creativity and spice (literally) to your tried and true holiday decorations can be as easy as visiting your local commissary and looking at the items on the shelves in a whole new way.

“The spice aisle, the produce department, the snack shelves and even the pet food section offer decorating inspiration to add a little something extra to your holiday trimming,” said Bonita Moffett, DeCA’s director of sales. “Get the family involved in creating beautiful holiday decorations; it could become a new tradition.”

A simple search of the internet can uncover troves of beautiful and unique decorating ideas featuring commissary items from each area of your store.*

From the produce section

• Dried orange ornaments and cranberry place cards (source: The Art in Life)
• Outdoor peanut wreath (source: Pinterest)
• Cranberry garland
• Dried fruit & herb wreath (source: Salt in my Coffee)
• Orange peel garland and cranberry herb candle (source: Curbly)
• Orange and clove pomander centerpiece (source: Nourishing my Scholar)
• Cranberry votives (source: Inspired Whims)
• Walnut place cards (source: Camille Styles)
• Holiday appetizer tree, sugared fruit and nut centerpieces (source: Food Network)

From the commissary aisles

Cereal aisle:

• Cheerio or Froot Loop garlands

Spice section:

• Cinnamon stick garland or wreath (source: Curbly)
• Cinnamon stick ornaments (source: The Art in Life)
• Simmer cinnamon, cloves, orange and apple peels for a scented holiday home
• Cinnamon stick runner (source: Food Network)

Snack and cookie aisles:

• Pretzel ornaments (source: Real Simple)
• Popcorn garland (source: Curbly)
• Cookie ornaments (source: Good Housekeeping)
• Doughnut hole tree centerpiece with mint leaves and cranberries (source: Pinterest)

Pasta aisle:

• Farfalle pasta bows and twine to wrap presents (source: Real Simple)
• Pasta garland (source: Pinterest)

Vegetable aisle:

• Dried bean filled candle holders (source: Real Simple)
• Dried bean and fruit centerpiece (source: Curbly)
• Can lid snowmen ornaments (source: Pinterest)

Coffee aisle:

• Coffee filter snowflake runner (source: Food Network)

Paper Products aisle:

• Paper straw & can flower vases (source: Food Network)

Pet Aisle:

• Birdseed outdoor tree ornament (source: Dereila Nature Inn)
• Birdseed and cranberry holiday wreath (source: Kaytee)

Baking section:

• Add silver cupcake liners to a string of lights (source: Real Simple)
• Fill a muffin pan with tea lights (source: Real Simple)
• Glass jar and salt lanterns (source: Inspired Whims)
• Cupcake liner tree centerpiece (source: Hometalk)

Candy aisle:

• Candy cane ornaments (source: Kids Kubby)
• Candy mint wreath (source: Pinterest)
• Candy mint ornament (source: Better Homes & Gardens)
• Jolly Rancher candy ornaments (source: Sugartown Sweets)

“Your commissary can provide a delicious and affordable holiday meal for your family, but with a little shift in the way you look at the products on your store’s shelves you can also bring home some unique and interesting holiday décor,” said Moffett. “So as you visit each commissary aisle, keep your eyes open because you never know what decorating treasure might be awaiting you on aisle five.”

* Providing links to commercial websites does not imply endorsement by DeCA

-DeCA-

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.