Tips for holiday decorating to create a big impact!
I. LOVE. Christmas! I love everything about it – baking cookies, shopping for the people I love, decorating the house and tree, falling snow, and the memories of my mom teaching my sister and me how to decorate cakes when we were young. This time of year is about the magic of combining new traditions and old, but we all know that there’s a lot of work that goes into making that happen. And, in my family, the spirit of the holidays goes hand-in-hand with multiple birthdays within weeks of each other. This means that, not only is my family’s time at a minimum, but it’s easy for our finances to take a serious hit and take the fa out of our fa la la la la.
To make sure that your holiday spirit stays intact despite your growing to-do list this year, here are a few suggestions for how to decorate on a budget and still deliver a huge impact.
Create The Illusion Of Tree Height
I have 12-foot ceilings and a 71⁄2 foot tree. Would I love a tree so tall that it skims the ceiling? Sure, but that’s not where I want to spend my money. Instead, I simply go into my backyard and gather sticks to decorate the top of the tree, which not only adds a natural element to its design but also an additional two feet. Depending on the size and weight of your tree, you can also put it in a decorative urn to add some height.
Keep It Real
Oh, Macy’s Christmas tree display, how I love thee. Is that hand-blown glass ornament display of sequins and coordinating bulbs practical for my family? Um, no, and that’s perfectly fine with me. It’s important for me to showcase my kids’ homemade ornaments, so our tree is an eclectic mix of homemade and store-bought ornaments, which actually reflects my overall design aesthetic. Would I love six Christmas trees in my house of varying styles? Absolutely, but until I get more storage space, one is all I get!
Breathe New Life Into Old Decor
Old Man Winter can wreak havoc on outdoor decorations, so give them a face lift with a little spray paint or canned snow.For example, I spray painted my wreath last year to give it a fresh new look. Go shopping in your store room with a creative eye before spending money on new decor.
Easy And Quick Style
If you want a new tree look, but don’t want to splurge on those beautiful glass ornaments that you saw in the store, pick out some ribbon at your local craft store to add to your tree for a festive and fun twist on traditional decorations.
And, in my family, the spirit of the holidays goes hand-in-hand with multiple birthdays within weeks of each other. This means that, not only is my family’s time at a minimum, but it’s easy for our finances to take a serious hit and take the fa out of our fa la la la la.
Call Me Griswold
I love to string Christmas lights around garland outlining my front door and in my urns. I bought beautiful wreaths after Christmas one year for $8 each (normally $50). I place them in front of every exterior window and typically use different ribbon on them every year. *Yes, feel free to insert a Griswold joke here – it’s my favorite movie. In fact, every year at Christmas dinner, my Dad says, “Let’s say Grace,” and I can’t help but say, “Grace died thirty years ago!” It never gets old.
Make It Your Own
Finally, because the holidays are really about cherishing the time spent with family and friends, make sure to add your own personal spin to those evenings by the fire surrounded by loved ones. In my house, we have a disco ball in my living room for dance parties during the holidays. I can’t think of a better way to spend those long winter nights than laughing with my family and creating warm memories that will last throughout the year!