Holiday decorations on a shoestring have become a way for me to re-purpose our “stuff”. Saving money on all occasions and fronts is important right now. Buying more Christmas decorations is money that doesn’t need to be spent from our budget.
Each year I save all of my holiday decorations and store them in bins. That is one way that I save on decorations. As we shop on Black Friday, if a new or fun decoration appeals to me I will buy it extremely discounted.
Another way that I save on a shoestring for Christmas decorations is to re-purpose old items. I might already have them, they have been given to me, or found at a thrift shop.
Creative Gift Wrap Scraps
Gift wrap scraps for years’ has been a pet peeve of mine. Throwing them away seems so wasteful, yet what to do with them? In the past, I have always pitched them. Unless, they could be used for a very small gift.
One way to utilize those scraps are to save them for gift wrapping patchwork. Many times I will have a short ending roll of wrapping paper left, and not enough to cover a box . That is when my scrap pile comes in handy. I may not have any that matches, but if dutifully crafted the scrap paper can be used on the underside to cover a hole. As long as the gap is not too big, this method works.
Another way to use gift wrap scraps is to line plates, platters or table settings with small decorative pieces. A bit of flare and design is added and the paper has been re-used.
Frugal Uses for Plastic Figurines
Many plastic figurines end up in the trash when they do not look as new. Instead of buying new ones, spruce up the old ones. I have found many DIY ideas on the internet and repaired them. Add them to a Christmas scene for a new look. I have a Rudolph from ages ago, but instead of pitching him, I am going to find a way to use him this year. Refurbishing saves money.
Christmas decorations on a shoestring start with what changing the mindset of what toby, but what to refurbish. Instead of buying new tree decorations, make them with some old fashioned ingenuity. I keep a small box of recycling products just as old pickle jars, toilet paper tubes, string, cardboard boxes and cool whip canisters. When I need something new, first, I go look in my recycling box and try to think of how to make it.
Another way to reuse a plastic figurine is to turn it into a tree ornament. Using hot glue and adding a durable string to the plastic figurine will allow it to be repurposed for the tree.
Whether using an ornament for the tree, table, or anywhere else try to make it instead of buying it.
Tree Ornaments on a Shoestring
Every year one of our most favorite traditions is too look through vintage books of Christmas. People did not have much, but they always seemed so happy. No dollar trees existed to purchase sparkly garland, so they used what they had. Food was used as garland. If they had an orange, lemon, or some kind of fruit to dry, they did. I am sure the aroma alone brightened up the day. Part of the Christmas memory and tradition was to string together garland.
Popcorn and cranberries were used to string for garland. Sewing needles and thread were used to string garland to make a terrific homemade design. Finally, Christmas cards can be used to make a unique garland, and one year we all colored ornaments with attributes of God. After laminating we cut them out, and strung them on the tree. They are a conversation piece each year, as the kids get older.
A sense of comfort and satisfaction comes from the smaller less significant moments. I would like to say at the end of the day, decorating your home on a shoestring from hand is more satisfying than an ornament that can be tossed without care.
I urge you to find new ways to repurpose the old and cherish the simplicity that it will bring. For more posts on frugal living, homeschooling, homemaking and suburban homesteading please sign up for my newsletter!
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