Holiday decorating on a budget Six tips to wow without breaking the bank

How about six decorating tips you can use today to wow your friends and family without having to max out your credit cards or break the bank? By the time you finish reading this, you’ll have all the information you need right at your fingertips!

1. Go green

Use natural decorations and start a family “treasure hunt” tradition in the process.

Pinecone collecting: String pinecones together with wire to create a beautiful garland that can be hung on your staircase or banister. You can accent the pinecone garland with red velvet or gingham ribbon. For an added holiday touch, you can sprinkle the garland with cinnamon scent or spray with a light misting of fake snow.

Gather leaves: Your children will love collecting different leaves in beautiful autumn colors. Repurpose them by adding them to centerpieces, table arrangements or holiday wreaths.

Fallen tree branches: What about a decorative window swag? Bundle the branches up and tie them with a pretty decorative bow and trailing ribbons. You can even add some of the delicate fall leaves for a “pop” of color.

2. Use your holiday cards for a great display

Hang your holiday cards from your staircase banister or on the molding around a door or between rooms to add a bit of festive cheer.

Make a wreath. Punch a hole in the corner of your holiday cards and attach them to a green pine wreath with decorative ribbon or wire for an adorable display.

Punch out decorative shapes. Find the most colorful holiday cards and cut or punch decorative holiday shapes out of them. You can use cookie cutters to create your shapes or you can get decorative hole punches at the craft store. These decorative shapes can be used to add accents to your holiday tree or for unique custom gift tags.

3. Fill a glass or bowl

Fill a glass vase or decorative bowl – clear works best – with colorful holiday ornaments and sprigs of greenery to create a beautiful table centerpiece. For additional color, you can add ribbon spilling over the edges of your decorative bowl or tie an accent bow around your vase.

4. Create your own tree skirt

You can purchase a few yards of fabric very inexpensively at a craft store to create a custom look at a fraction of the cost. Or, for a really quick and easy alternative, you can drape a super soft plush blanket around the base of your tree stand.

5. Sponge decor on windows

You can purchase cheap holiday sponge stamps at a craft store for next to nothing. (If your local craft store doesn’t have what you are looking for, you can create your own sponge stamps by cutting the desired shape out of cheap foam. Holiday cookie cutters make great templates for your stamps!)

Need window paint? Simply add a teaspoon of liquid dish soap to your craft paint to create a medium that is easy to remove once the holidays are over. Use regular window cleaner to remove your window stamps. (If you have a few stubborn spots, try a non-scratching dish scrubber).

6. Decorate with food

Bring back a timeless tradition and decorate your tree with strings of ruby red cranberries and crisp white popcorn. For a coordinating colorful accent you can add some traditional red and white candy canes.

If you are feeling ambitious, some homemade gingerbread cookies make a lovely addition and lend that soothing holiday scent that reminds us all of “home.”