10 Great Holiday Decorating Ideas On a Budget!

**dz_blonde_girl** · 12-12-2003, 10:56 AM

From TheFrugalShopper Newsletter http://www.thefrugalshopper.com with permission.

* FRUGAL Holiday Decorating Tips *

There are lots of good tips in the following article -
I hope it will inspire you.

The author was kind
enough to offer us a FREE copy of her Christmas
decorating ebook, "50 Great Christmas Decorating Ideas
on The Tightest Budget." Pick up a copy here:
http://www.thefrugalshopper.com/christmas_ebook.pdf

10 Great Holiday Decorating Ideas On a Budget!
By Kathleen Wilson

1. First things first. Set a plan or a theme for your
Christmas decorating. It doesn't cost a thing to have a
good plan, and when you are working with budget ideas,
this is what pulls your ideas together, and makes
everything you do look purposeful, and personal. Some
theme ideas for Christmas? The rustic lodge xmas, a
toyland xmas, countries around the world, Victorian,
country, santa, snowmen, old fashioned, the list goes
on and on!

2. Make garlands out of felt scraps. Cut Xmas shapes
out of felt in miniature, mini stockings, holly leaves,
mittens, and string together with needle and floss or
strong fishing line to hang all over the house.
Remember when you string each shape, tie a knot on both
sides of the shape to hold it in its place. You can add
more dimension to the shapes by cutting two of each,
stuffing them lightly, them sewing the two together.
Glue would work also if you aren't a sewer. Saved used
dryer sheets are perfect for this kind of stuffing, or
even tiny fabric scraps that are too small for other
uses.

3. Drop a tealight candle in your cleaned out glass
mayonnaise jars, tie a holiday ribbon around the neck,
and you have a beautiful candle with xmas charm. You
could nestle the candle in peppermints, nuts, or even
sand if you wish. Try grouping several together for a
dramatic evening effect. These also make great
luminaries.

4. Start a Christmas collection. This can be a great
tradition to initiate in your home. My girls and I
starting collecting Santas 3 years ago, and it's
something they look forward to, choosing our yearly
Santa together. I know it will be a fond memory for
them, and I plan to let each child choose a Santa to
take with them when the day comes that they leave the
nest and start their own home. By the way, this doesn't
have to be expensive, or even store bought. Try sewing
or crafting a new decoration each year together for
even more memories! Or check out your dollar store, they
have some really cute ceramic holiday decorations for a
buck or two. Remember, it's the memories you're
interested in here, not a collectable based on monetary
value.

5. If you are looking to do a toyland theme for your
Christmas decorating this year, try searching out teddy
bears and dolls at your local thrift stores. Wash them
in a pillowcase and put them in your dryer for at least
20 minutes, then dress them up with ribbons and holiday
fabrics. Group them under your tree, on mantels, and on
windowsills. Stack small squares of cardboard together
and wrap as a tiny present, then tuck them under a
teddy's arm, or wrap an empty box and use it as teddy's
seat by the front door.

6. Place a few inexpensive glass balls in a bowl and
embellish with a few sprigs of greenery or some
leftover ribbon. If you don't have an extra bowl (it is
the holidays, after all!) try decoupaging a box with
leftover Christmas wrap, or cover with a little fabric
and glue.

7. Take down your pictures and wrap them like a gift,
then hang them back on the wall for great holiday
cheer! You don't have to do this all around the house,
how about just in the entry, or maybe the dining room?

8. Tie greens or ornaments to the chandelier with a
little Christmas ribbon, just make sure they don't hang
low enough for any candles on the table to catch them
on fire.

9. Make your own gift tags out of leftover paper. Ok,
this is not a new idea, but try punching it up a bit.
Add details by layering shapes over the base paper, use
paper punches and scalloped scrapbooking scissors to
add style, use a gold calligraphy pen to add names. Or
use the scalloped scissors to make old holiday cards
into tags.

10. Sponge stars or other seasonal shapes on your
window with paint! No, I'm not nuts. Just add a
teaspoon or so of liquid dish soap to acrylic craft
paint, (I like white or gold metallic) and after the
holidays you should be able to wash it off with window
cleaner. Use a non- scratching dish scrubber if you
come across a stubborn spot.

There it is, the 10 best budget decorating ideas for
Holiday decorating! Always remember the most important
reason we celebrate, and the reason we take the time to
make our homes warm and inviting our loved ones! Have a
wonderful holiday season!

Copyright 2002 K. Wilson

Kathleen Wilson is the author of "Quick Decorating
Ideas Under $20:The Budget Decorator's Bible" and the
editor of The Budget Decorator, a free ezine dedicated
to the "budget impaired" home decorator. Visit her at
http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com for more great ideas.