One of the best (and worst) things about Christmas is the holiday decorating in anticipation of friends and family coming to visit. The problem is that due to the recession, not everybody can afford to go as ‘all out’ as they have done in the past. This means cutting down on all of those twinkly Christmas lights and trying to think of budget Christmas decorations that won’t cost a fortune. Here are some festive holiday decoration ideas that will get you in the mood and save you some pennies!
The Christmas Tree
Quite possibly the biggest part of any holiday decorating is the tree. Real trees can be extremely expensive and a pain to get rid of when all the festive cheer is over. In most cases you will be charged to dump them, an extra expense that you really do not need! One of the best ways to save money is to buy an artificial tree. You can get some pretty realistic trees that can be used over and over again, saving you plenty of money now and in the future. Those who aren’t a fan of artificial trees may wish to look at getting a smaller version of a real tree, to cut back on the costs even more.
Decorating the Tree
Now that you have your tree, how are you going to decorate it? Unless you keep old holiday decorations it may be a case of buying all new ones. If you have children then you have an excellent workforce that will make some lovely decorations for you. Simply stock up on some arts and crafts materials and let them make their own addition to the tree. In fact, adults can take part in this just as much as kids! Plenty of little stores pop up over Christmas that sell a whole range of decorations for pretty cheap. A great idea is to hold out for a little bit longer when they start selling them even cheaper. After around the 15th of December, these shops will try and get rid of those decorations quicker than you can say ‘Christmas’. This still gives you plenty of time to enjoy a pretty, decorated tree too. Did you know that there are professionals that can decorate a tree for you? If you do a little research, it may save you money as well!
Holiday Decorating in the House
Put down the tinsel and think a bit outside the box. If you want a cost effective way of decorating your house this Christmas, with something that will truly last, then how about wall stickers? These clever decorations are easy to put on and take off, plus they last for up to 10 years! You don’t have to get something as obvious as ‘Merry Christmas’. Something that is timeless will ensure that your home is looking beautiful, regardless of the season. You could even invest in some branch or tree-like wall stickers and scrap the Christmas tree altogether! Just make some pretty decorations that can be stuck to the walls and then removed after the ‘big day’. Then you can keep the wall stickers up for a stylish piece of design!
Getting your home Christmas ready doesn’t have to cost you a fortune, no matter what the big chains will have you believe. Try and make what you can at home, and shop in the smaller shops that specialise in festive decorations. If you want something that is stylish and will last, opt for some wall stickers to really spruce the home up.
Author:
Lacy Jones is a self confessed DIY addict and loves how doing it your self can save money. She is very happy to have recently discovered wall stickers from MyWallStickers UK and promises her husband she will not be using them to cover unsightly stains on the nursery wall (she can be into DIY and be allowed to enjoy a quick fix now and then too!). She recommends seeking professional advice when dealing with the bigger home improvement jobs.
If you are looking for a truly unique look this holiday season and have a little room in your budget, then you should bring in an interior decorator.
