Most of us have had our Christmas decorations up since around Thanksgiving, but there are some people who don’t. Everyone has their reasons for this, so I am not going to delve into that. However, there are those of us who don’t have decorations and can’t afford to spend a lot on Christmas this year. If you’re one of these people, this article is for you.
The Christmas Tree
One of the Christmas staples (at least here in the United States) is the Christmas Tree. This decoration is the centerpiece of our holiday festivities. Purchasing a real tree can be expensive and in our current economy. Purchasing a fake one’s price is equally prohibitive.
So besides not having a tree at all, what are your options?
Several times in my years growing up and when I was a single parent, we didn’t always have the option of purchasing a tree so we had to get creative. I remember several years where we went out and collected long pine branches and tied them together to make a tree to hang our twinkling lights and ornaments on.
I recently read another idea that I think I would use if I didn’t have a tree. I live in a rural and I have a few round tomato cages hanging around that could make an inexpensive small artificial tree.
To make this tree, place round end on ground on the floor and tie the prongs at the other end so that they form the top of the tree. Be sure that this metal form for your tree is set squarely on the ground so that it doesn’t tip over. Now wrap tree with a single small string of lights that you can purchase at a dollar store. Now, wrap the tree with the lights with a string of green fake garland.
Homemade Ornaments
Numerous ways exist to make Christmas ornaments on a budget. Many of these ideas can be found online. Look at what you already have available to use to create ornaments if you need them. Use your imagination. I had a friend who made personalized ornaments as Christmas gifts to my family. She took pieces of the slate from a broken chalkboard and drilled holes in them. She then painted simple Christmas related pictures and wrote the recipient’s name on them. She then put a piece of ribbon through the hole so we could hang them on the tree.
I have made ornaments different ways. I have made tiny ornaments with colored felt, glue, and even cotton balls.
I have used a recipe to make clay ornaments that I dried and my sons and I decorated.
My sons and I have strung popcorn and cranberries for garland. My children and I have also made red and green paper chains as garlands as well.
Other Festive Decor
Doing other home decorating adds to the festive feeling of the season. Plastic poinsettia flowers, and real or fake garland placed around a couple of white candles on a red, green, or even white table cloth makes any meal seem more festive.
Any time that I have made ornaments or other tree decorations, I have always tried to include my children in the projects. This way, even though we didn’t have much money, we were able to create memories which in my opinion, is the most important part of holiday decorating.
Give a budget-friendly, one of a kind gift both for you and the person you’re gifting to-Gourmet Weeds by Cygnet Brown and Kerry Kelley. Check it out here.
The Perpetual Homesteader 