Christmas Decorating on a Budget – 7 Simple Ideas
Everyone loves to decorate for Christmas, but all those fancy ornaments and garlands can take a big bite out of your holiday budget. Here are some simple, creative ideas for decorating on a dime.
1. Plan A Theme
When you’re decorating on a budget, planning ahead should always be your first step. The most important thing in any decorating scheme is having everything work together, and having a theme makes sure that the items you choose all look planned, and have a purpose rather than just thrown together. Your theme can be general, like an old fashioned country Christmas, or very specific, like snowflakes or stars.
2. Become a Collector
Pick an item that you want to collect or build a theme around, and each year pick up something to add to it. Santas, snowmen, reindeer…whatever you choose can form a theme. Check the after-Christmas sales for great prices, hit the dollar store, or craft your own!
3. Hit The Thrift Stores
People recycle their decorations all the time, and you can pick them up for literally pennies. Don’t forget to look for theme items throughout the year as well. If you have a Nutcracker theme, for instance, you can find teddy bears and other toys that you can add seasonal flair to later.
4. Make Your Own Garland
This is a simple, fun project that’s great to do with the kids. Gather up felt scraps and cut them into small Christmas shapes, like stockings or candy canes. String them together with a needle and fishing line or floss, and hang them all over the house. You can even cut two of the same shape, stuff them with old dryer sheets, cotton balls or fabric scraps, and sew or glue them together.
5. Save Your Christmas Cards
Christmas cards make great decorations on doorframes, cabinets or around mirrors. Save up the cards you get, stick a piece of double sided tape on the inside to hold them closed, and then hang them either with tape, or attach them to a decorative ribbon and hang that.
6. Make Your Own Christmas Candles
Clean out and save jam, mayo and other food jars throughout the year. Fill the jar about halfway with non-flammable items, such as nuts, beads or colored sand. Nestle a tea light inside, and then wrap a pretty ribbon around the mouth of the jar. You can use these on your dinner table, or group them together on a shelf or mantle.
7. Make A Christmas Bowl
For table tops or bathrooms, take a pretty bowl and fill it with clear glass ornaments or balls. Add in a few small pinecones or some sprigs of holly berries, and you’ve got a simple but elegant little Christmas feature. You could also use a basket, or even a box wrapped in Christmas paper.
Christmas decorating doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little creativity, you can transform your home into a Christmas wonderland and keep the holiday spirit alive…while keeping more money in your pocket!