Christmas Decorating on a Budget
Not only is Christmas decorating on a budget achievable, but it can also make Christmas more enjoyable, meaningful and reduces consumer waste. Here Melissa, the author of the website frugalandthriving.com.au shares 6 ways we can all celebrate Christmas at home on a budget this year:
1. DECORATE WITH NATURE
The first Christmas decorations weren’t shiny, plastic baubles, but were made from nature brought inside. The Christmas tree is the obvious example of this, but there’s also the mistletoe, the wreath, berry garlands, dried orange garlands and orange, and clove pomander balls.
Melissa also loves the idea of a herb wreath, because she has masses of rosemary in the garden, and also loves an Australiana style wreath.
2. DECORATE WITH FOOD
In the past, home-baked cookies were often hung in a tree as decoration, ready to be eaten on Christmas day.
If you’re not keen on having cookies hanging around your house, Melissa suggests that salt dough ornaments make a nice alternative and are a whole heap of fun to make with the kids. She also recommends stringing popcorn to hang as a garland.
3. MAKE YOUR OWN DECORATIONS
“Making your own decorations makes Christmas really special,” says Melissa.
Your decorations may become heirlooms and the kid’s homemade ones will remain special long after they grow up.
Some of her favourite frugal homemade decoration ideas include:
- toilet roll decorations
- stained glass nativity set
- snowflake window treatment (or just cut some snowflakes and stick them to the window. Search Pinterest for “paper snowflakes” )
- repurposed Christmas crafts
- glitter tea light holders from old jars (these make a lovely alternative to fairy lights)
- Christmas card garlands – save your old Christmas cards and turn them into ornaments!
4. START A CHRISTMAS DECORATING TRADITION
Another tradition that Melissa shares on her website is that each year her children are allowed to pick one decoration to buy for the tree.
The kids are given a budget and away they go. She recommends timing it for a day when they have 25% or 50% off decorations to save money.
5. SAVE BY DECORATING WITH SECOND-HAND ORNAMENTS
Keep an eye out in second-hand stores and op-shops for pre-loved Christmas decorations.
And last but not least,
6. CHOOSE A FRUGAL CHRISTMAS TREE
Melissa has a number of great ideas for an alternative tree including bringing a potted plant – that you already have – inside.
Alternatively use a large fallen branch or two. Just stick it in a bucket of sand and decorate it.
For more ideas, check out this Pinterest board on alternative Christmas tree ideas.
Decorating the home is an integral part of getting into the Christmas spirit. But you don’t need to spend a fortune on Christmas decorations. Christmas decorating on a budget offers a chance to get creative, spend time with family and create special Christmas memories.
For Melissa’s full article visit Frugal and Thriving here
