christmas decorating tips?

**Sara Noel** · 09-04-2007, 12:23 PM

Any frugal christmas decorating tips? Example, gathering pinecones outside to bring indoors and display gathered in an open basket or bowl.

**leezza** · 09-04-2007, 02:13 PM

How about going out in the woods and cutting some Pine tree boughs, you could put them beside your fireplace, on a table......decorate them with ribbons and colorful glass balls.......looks pretty and makes the house smell great : )

leezza

**ms. frugal kugel** · 09-04-2007, 02:35 PM

Before I had children I used to actually string popcorn. Everyone loved it and it looks great on the tree. I would give the leftover strands to my mother-in-law for her yardbirds so there was no waste or trash. Kix cereal didn't work so well for me a year ago, and buying cranberries to string doesn't seem all that frugal, so it's popcorn again, assuming I get started now ha ha!

**changed4life** · 09-04-2007, 03:48 PM

I did the fresh pine and pine cone theme once on my mantle. However, it turned out we were all allergic to the fresh pine. Watery eyes, sneezing and the like.

Unfortunately, I had to pull out the boxes and start over with what I had.

**McD** · 09-04-2007, 04:44 PM

If you have any pretty crystal serving bowls and you have leftover bulbs, put the bulbs in the bowl and display on your table. We do this every year.

**sunshine** · 09-04-2007, 05:09 PM

I took some cheap green garland from the Dollar Store, taped it to the door in the shape of a tree, added "ornaments" of family pictures that I printed out on my printer.

I get cheap rolls of wrapping paper and wrap all the pictures on my walls to look like packages, then hang them back up.

Stuffed toys set in groupings, on sleds - on rocking horses, etc. I buy green/red plaid ribbons to dress them up for the holidays.

**ravenmaniac** · 09-04-2007, 07:15 PM

I find a minimalist approach is best. My tree is is artificial. Only ornaments I put on the tree are ones that were given to me or ones my children/niece/nephew made for me. I get many, many compliments on how pretty my tree is. I love to put fresh cut pine, holly, pine cones, etc. around the house and a few lights. I do have some decorations but only a few and they are like center pieces that I add fresh pine and such to. People always compliment my house. On the outside I out a wreath and a few luminary lights.

**pita1213** · 09-04-2007, 07:28 PM

quick easy and provides entertainment for the kids, give them some blank paper or for even more frugalness, paper that you printed out but don't need anymore and let them make paper snowflakes. if only one side is printed, tape that side to the wall or door. if it was something printed in color, it might look festive on the color side. the kids could always color them with crayons or use glue and glitter to cover any printing on it. we also do paper chains out of scrap paper.

for the kix garland, did you let it sit out and get stale before trying to string it? it's a bit easier to work with when it's gone stale and is softer. same with popcorn if you are having trouble with it. let it sit out over night and soften up.