But what do you do with these wonderful memories when the night is over and you regret having that last sip of bub? If you have any fantastic shots of you and your friends they most definitely need to be framed. Get yourself a few 4×6 picture frames and take your favorite photos. Place them on your nightstand in the bedroom, hang them on the wall, or place them on a desk at work.

Wooden frames are a nice option because they are timeless. No matter how many years in a row you take the photos you can just keep using the same frame with each update. Start this upcoming year with 2012. Why don’t you make it a tradition to change the picture with a new one each brand new year?

Once I got my large picture frames, I realized how much fun I could have arranging them. They didn’t have to just sit in a row, but could be placed slightly off from each other to make it interesting. I don’t know if I’ve ever had so much fun just arranging frames before.

And now my room feels complete, everything hung up as it should be. It feels more like my personal space and I can stop worrying about what else I have to do in the room, because it’s finally all done!

You can buy small 4×6 frames to frame your favorite cards or old cards you saved from previous years that really mean something to you. They make for easy windowsill and mantle decorations.

As a kid one of the first big projects you learn in grade school classes is how to make a diorama. Well, if you re-invent that idea and use higher grade materials, you can make a perfect holiday scene. Using a cardboard box, wax paper, white felt, cut pine tree branches, and figurines you can make a winter wonderland setting.  Cut the wax paper in a round shape. Trace it on the felt, then cut out the shape from the felt. Take the box and set it on its side. Glue the wax paper down. Then take the outline of the felt you cut and place it around that wax paper. Glue it down too. Scatter the pine tree branches standing up around the box and glue them in. Take figurines of skaters, sleds, and other winter things and place them around. Once your scene is complete then frame it.

These are only a few options. Keep your eye out for more ideas in the future.

At hardware stores you may be able to ask an assistant for hangers, since the typical nails may not be enough for the heavier frames or artwork encased by the frame. Some hangers can hold up to 50 or 100 pounds of weight. That’s very impressive and chances are you will not be putting up anything that intense. The other thing is that they can be used on different material walls anywhere from drywall or wood to concrete.

Since you will probably want to get the metal or wooden picture frames up in one take, it is best to prepare before lifting it. Measure the height and length of the frame.  Write the measurements down and mark it on the back of the frame. Also, measure from the hanging wire to ensure it will be level with its hanger.Lastly, pick the spot on your wall and mark it.

Take the frame and place it centered where you want it to reside. Mark the edges on the wall and the center where the hanger will be nailed. Once you nail the hanger (or two if the frame is exceedingly heavy) you can comfortably put the frame on it.

Congrats! That is how you hang a big picture.

First of all, go to your local craft store and pick up some art paper. Get a variety of colors, maybe some fabric with border designs, or cardstock and some clean drying glue, semi-permanent to permanent, not the grade school kind. Also, pick up an assortment of decorations. You can find this stuff probably in the scrapbooking section, though it can be used for any type of project.

Find a variety of wooden picture frames. Select from several  painted frames or buy wood stain and/or paint separately and apply it yourself. Cut the paper or other flexible fabric to fit the back edges of the frame.  You may leave the glass in to protect the paper or take it out to keep the paper texture more visible. Take the glue and apply it using a brush or popsicle stick to the flat back side of the wooden frame so that it leaves only a thin layering. Adhere the paper carefully so that it lays evenly on all four sides, the design side facing the front of the frame.

This is just one in a series of ideas. Try it out and see what you think of it.

Keep in mind that whatever photos you have taken, be it by a family member or professional, the best of the bunch are going to hang over the mantelpiece. Unless you want to look shameful for a few months, you best get yourself together because those pictures will be in large picture frames for a long time, haunting you daily and nightly until they get replaced with equally terrible photos.

Some things to keep in mind:

1. Ignore your siblings’ taunts and insults. They’ll only make you scowl if you let it bother you.
2. Avoid blinking and sneezing if possible. If you can’t, call time out so a photo isn’t wasted.
3. Do NOT wear matching outfits. It’s creepy.

The one redeeming thing you can guarantee on is that whatever the outcome of the photo shoot, you are going to have it framed in a very nice wooden picture frame.

A lot of frames will fade with age. You can spruce them up without necessarily ruining anything. Start by taking a small brush, like a fine paintbrush, and use it to clean out any dust the frame has been gathering. Detailed gilt or wooden picture frames may require a little effort on your part to get into the little grooves and crevices. Antique frames and antique-style frames need to be treated carefully. For metal frames you will want to take a little bit of all natural beeswax and polish it lightly to restore some of the shine. If there is damage, do not do this, just continue to brush it lightly.

Wooden frames may need to be recoated with wood stain to give them that rich color you once adored about it. Make sure you buy a matching color. Basic frames can have the top layer sanded off gently but the more complex the design, the higher the chance you’re going to ruin the pattern. Properly stir the stain and layer it on with an old rag. Spread it evenly around the frame.

Take good care of your picture frames. They will last a long time if you do.

One simple starting tip for wall picture frames is always to start with the largest piece you have. Use it as your anchor or center and work around it as desired. The large picture frames act as the guideline. You can mark the space around them with a pencil while you hang each subsequent frame and erase the marks easily later.

Try non-traditional picture mounting or frames. There’s nothing wrong with adding a little interest or depth to the room. Frames that allow you to easily interchange the pictures within them are a blessing for the indecisive.

Your wall needs to be a little eclectic. Mix and match other wall décor around picture frames. Decorated plates, stencils, and canvas art add contrast to the wall but do not detract from the framed art or photos. Use uneven numbers in rows of pictures. Try scattering a few wooden picture frames slightly unevenly but in a pattern so it’s not haphazard.

For a unified theme, match the patterns of the art in the frames to the room. Use the color palette as inspiration. Try pairing the wall décor to other furniture or lighting. You can also reflect back the room by framing mirrors to add depth in small spaces. Do whatever it takes to create a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.

You can add wall appeal simply by placing a few framed pieces. Consider this: your favorite motivational artwork hanging on the wall highlighted by the window so you see it every morning when you wake up. How is that for comforting? There are so many things you can do with inexpensive picture frames to breathe life into the bedroom.

For a crisp and clean look you can place photos or artwork in black and white wooden frames. Their neutral and classic look does not detract from the images they contain. With extra matting and some creativity you can really line them up for a big effect.

Have an empty wall? Don’t let it be boring — fill it with frames of all sizes. Make collages of your favorite memories. Do whatever it takes to make the wall the life of the party.

If you want to add some personal touches without going crazy put a single 8 x 10 frame on your night stand. It’s nice that it will be the last thing you see before you sleep and the first thing you see as you reach for your alarm clock.

Wooden picture frames are the way you should honor those awkward family photos.My Frame Store has really nice looking inexpensive picture frames for the multitudes of photos you will collect over the years. There are just so many funny memories captured with the crazy candid shots our family members like to take that you cannot choose just one to frame. Find a frame that suits the nature of the photo, maybe white, gold, or silver wood framing for the silly photos. Mahogany and walnut wooden frames are good for serious photos.

You will be happy you got great deals on picture frames because now you have a reason to put all of these pictures up on the wall. So no matter how much you complain you hate taking photos you know the truth is that you really enjoy the attention you get from your family.