December 3rd
7 Ideas For A Fun, Inexpensive Christmas
Hoping to cut costs this Christmas season? There are ways you can cut back on the expense of Christmas yet still have a lot of fun and enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Here are some ideas that will not only help you save money, will also help you to really enjoy this Christmastime.
Look for Decorations in Thrift Shops: Did you know that a lot of people like to buy new decorations every year? If you are looking for good quality, second-hand Christmas decorations you should check out your local thrift shops. Chances are you will find a lot of good quality decorations, for a fraction of the price they would cost to buy new.
Christmas Lights: Do you have someone who is not really all that into decorating, but who loves to hang around and try to help when you are putting up decorations? Put them to use. Buy spare bulbs for your old Christmas lights, and let them methodically work through the lights and replace any bulbs that are not working. This will give you a good-as-new set of lights without your having to spend much money at all on them.
Broken Baubles and Tree Ornaments: As long as they are not too broken, you can re-use them. If they have lost their string so you can’t hang them on the tree any more, you can still make a very pretty Christmas display with them. Put them all together in a basket, or in a glass bowl and set them on your table, bookshelf or side-table. They will add a beautiful touch of color and will also add to the festive appearance of your home.
Candles: You don’t have to buy expensive candles for Christmas decorating. Instead buy the simple red, green and white long tapered candles, some clay, and some pine needles or Christmas paper. Place the candles in the clay and cover the clay with paper or pine needles, or other Christmas material and you will have a lovely candle display to set around the room.
Collect Pine Cones: If you are fortunate to live in an area where you can collect these, do so. Spray paint them silver or gold, and arrange them in areas of the room. Another great, authentic Christmas decoration that you have to pay barely anything for.
Center Table Piece: Find a sawn off tree limb, some pine cones and pine needles, buy some Christmas ribbon, clay and a few candles and design your own central display. You can even use some of the Christmas ornaments that have lost their loop and place them on the display as well. If it is made well enough you can reuse it year after year, just needing to replace the ribbon and the candles.
Dress up Your Child’s Dolls and Teddy-Bears: A cute Christmas idea is to dress up teddy bears or dolls in Christmas outfits, or at least with Christmas ribbons, and pop them under the tree, or around the room on tables and shelves. They look really cute and the kids love to help with this too.
To add to the festive season, you can also play Christmas music around the house when you are working, cooking, or at mealtimes. Get a few people together to bake Christmas cookies and have a glass of wine or drink hot chocolate together at the same time. Watch old Christmas movies on television. Above all, enjoy your Christmas season and be sure to spread lots of Christmas cheer! The world needs all it can get! Happy Holidays!