You don't have to spend a fortune to put on a festive holiday display. Here are some ideas and suggestions for cheap ways to decorate your home yourself.
The first rule of frugal holiday decorating is to hit the stores the day and week after the season ends. Then you'll find lights, trees, ornaments, candles, and anything else you'll need at a discount as stores drastically reduce prices to relieve themselves of overstocked inventory.
When the holiday season begins again, take a walk in the woods. If you're fortunate enough to live in suburbia, the components for holiday finery might be located just outside your back door. Pinecones, pine tree boughs, holly leaves and berries will give any home a lively holiday appearance. (Many of these items are not safe for pets, however.) Drape pine boughs over banisters and railings and on fireplace mantles (make sure they're kept a safe distance from any roaring fires, though; the last thing you need is a holiday disaster). Fill bowls and glass vases with pinecones and stand pine branches and holly boughs in vases for festive centerpieces.
Garlands can be made from items found in your own home. Using red or green yarn, string cinnamon sticks and popcorn or even braid the two colors together. Not only do these have a stunning effect on your Christmas tree, but around doorways and window frames as well. Remember the paper chains we used to make in school? Why not make some to decorate the home? Use green and red paper or metallic paper in festive colors.
Glass Christmas ornaments can be found in abundance at the dollar store. Not only do these dress up a tree, but when arranged in a bowl they make an attractive centerpiece. Wrap dollar store gift-wrap and ribbon around closet and bedroom doors and make them look like giant packages.
If you have silver metal Christmas cookie cutters, shine these and hang them in window frames and doorways with a red satin ribbon. Watch them sparkle when they're caught by the sun.
Spray paint large pine cones gold, silver or metallic red or green. Arrange in bowls and vases for centerpieces or hang from trees. If you spray on some glitter, they'll catch the light from the sun or holiday lights.
With washable paints, paint windows and glass doors with Christmas scenes. Purchase stencils for this or cut shapes out of sponges.
The library hosts a bonanza of holiday decorating books. If you're looking for inexpensive ideas, take a day and hunt for ideas. The Internet is another great source for finding inexpensive holiday decorating ideas. Never say it can't be done because you're on a budget. Things made by hand, and by the heart, are so much nicer than the overpriced items sold at the store, anytime.
