5 Inexpensive Ideas Using Everyday Things for Holiday Decorating

Have you ever desired to break out of the cookie cutter status quo and add a unique fun and creative twist to your holiday decorating? Have you ever found really cute crafts and unique ideas on how to do this but it ended up costing more then the average decoration at an upscale department store?

After living on a budget and finding myself in multiple countries during the holiday season I’ve found a few simple, economical and even environmentally friendly ways to get into the holiday cheer. You can use all five to mix up your holiday decor or just one. Either way break out of the mold and let your creative juices flow.

The beauty of these 5 ideas is that with each individual they take on a different and personalized look making your holiday decorating truly extraordinary!

#1 Magazine Tree Skirt -

This idea is simple, whether you have a tree skirt or not it’s fun to try this. Collect your old magazines from around the house or if you don’t read magazines you can use the front pages of newspapers or even go to your local library as they sell old magazines for next to nothing. Once you have your selected reading material lay them at the base of the tree.

It’s especially fun to go with a theme, your husbands fishing magazines. Or if you are wanting to remind yourself of that imminent new years resolution awaiting then maybe place your fitness magazines around the tree. For the bachelors toss your car magazines around that bare bottomed tree. Whatever theme you choose make sure it’s personalized and shouts you! As you can see in the picture we used beauty magazines as the covers matched perfect with the tree.

#2 Recycled Stockings -

I was in Northern Thailand one Christmas leading a group of Non-Profit workers and I realized the day before that I had forgotten stockings for all the goodies I had brought all the way from Hawaii. I found myself staring at an empty water bottle that was sitting next to my sleeping bag and realized it would have to do! It quickly became one of my holiday favorites!

This idea is so simple and super fun! Take a good sized plastic bottle and cut the top off, make sure it’s clean and dry. Grab some tape. There are brands of tape at your local store that have all sorts of fun designs and colors to spice up your decorating. Once you have covered the bottle to your hearts content take a black marker and write the name of the individual who will be receiving the “stocking” full of goodies. Place around tree or along window sill, fill or leave empty.

#3 Bulb Photos -

Every local mall has a tree with giant christmas bulbs on them. All you need is a few friends or family members and a camera. Gather around the bulb of your choice, make sure the reflection is good and clear then snap away. Make sure you do this with many different bulbs and funny faces. Print a few of the photos and place in current photo frames on your walls. It’s always fun to bring a festive flair to your everyday household decor.

#4 Decorate your Family -

This next one is a little outside the box of decorating your home but has a creative feel to it. Color coordinate your clothing for the day with your family members. Have your co-workers agree to wear one of the basic red or green christmas colors all week before Christmas. Ask everyone coming to your dinner or holiday party to wear a classy shade of red or green to bring a nice holiday feel to the event. There are so many creative ways to dress for the holidays without wearing the tacky red and green combo, like the picture below, match with a friend and bring the holiday cheer together.

#5 Clothesline Craziness -

This one is inspired by a clothesline I saw in China hanging outside a home. Three stuffed animals hanging by their ears drying in the sun. In your bathroom, laundry room, or even mud room simply hang some string, a small handful of clothespins and carefully choose maybe 3 or 4 appropriate items to hang. These items should all connect to Christmas somehow, either by shape, color or print. Items can be of the following - cookie cutters, colorful dish towels, fun wintery socks mismatched, toys and stuffed animals, magazines, you could even hang your “bulb photos” from suggestion #3.

I hope these suggestions help stir your creative juices and make this Christmas both personal and memorable.