Cheap Holiday Ideas
I thought Id list some of my frugal decoration/wrapping ideas:
Do you have access to free walnuts (or any nuts really)that are still in the shell?...they can be used to fill a glass container and hold plastic or silk flower stems in place. (like poinsettas) Just tape the stems together, center in your jar and fill around them with your nuts.
If the container is not clear and you need filler for flowers, those little mailing 'peanuts' work great!
Walnuts/nuts can also be hot glued to any floral arrangement to add a country or rustic look.
Pinecones- I have access to these for free in my neighborhood. They also sell them at the dollar store. Again, hot gluing them to decorations adds the seasonal touch! Same with acorns...I have over 40 black oak trees, so free acorns are plentiful here...I have also used these to fill in around candles or flowers in the base.
Wire coat hangers can be used to make a floral hanger for wreaths.
Leftover ribbon can be used to make napkin holders...again, glue a small ornament or acrorn to the ribbon to add a seasonal touch. Even white paper napkins look festive with the help of a festive napkin ring~!
I dont buy bows. I find buying a bag of those plastic apples from the dollar store...or those little cherry balls can add a nice whimsical touch to any gift wrap...I will also glue leftover silk/plastic leaves and flowers..cinnamon sticks, raffia...
Using the above allows you to also get away with white or brown paper lunch bags for gift wrap for smaller gifts!
I reuse our store bought gift bags over and over again.
Last year, I made decorations using bark off some of our wood-yard trees...The bark was rounded, and I would use about a half round as a base and fill with pinecones, acorns, ribbon and some dollar store ornaments...I actually sold these at a craft fair for $15 and they cost me about $2-3 each!
Key, is keeping an open mind and looking for new uses for things that are holiday colored. This time of year, my mind looks for reds, golds, greens wood tones and clear glass containers...pretty much anything with a holiday color is considered!
Cheap decoration and wrapping ideas
December 13th, 2006 at 04:59 am
December 13th, 2006 at 05:06 am 1165986387
December 13th, 2006 at 02:43 pm 1166021023