How to Decorate a Staircase for Christmas – Video
Here are some lovely frugal ideas for decorating a staircase for Christmas. The video shows for decorating stairs, but you can apply these ideas to any part of your home.
I really love that this turns out looking so nice, and it’s so simple and quick to do – with such a beautiful outcome!
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Christmas Decorating on a Budget
Believe it or not, it is that time of year again where we begin to prepare for our Christmas Holiday. This year does not have to be a stressful event if you plan ahead and utilize all resources. You do not have to spend a lot to create an enjoyable environment. The traditional Christmas complete with tree, wreath, garland, candles, ornaments and lights can become your families tradition, where all members of the family come together to partake in the event.
The tree, probably the most prominent item for the holiday, can be dressed up to suit your style. For the garland, why not try stringing popcorn together. You can use food dye to create your desired color. Or if you have younger children, make chains made out of construction paper.
As for the ornaments, take a trip into your local craft store and purchase some Styrofoam balls, pins, glue and fabric samples (which are usually placed in the front of the store) to create one-of-a-kind delights. If you do not have the time to create your own ornaments, another option would be the second-hand store near you.
For the wreath the possibilities are endless. Again, if time permits you can make your own wreath from fresh evergreens. Or simply purchase a wreath, adding on some of the leftover fabric samples for the bow and then add on simple things that can also be purchased for very little such as dried flowers, fake birds, fake snow, and throw in some pine cones from the yard.
Do not forget the candles. There is something to be said for the ambiance created from candles. They definitely bring atmosphere to the holiday. Making candles with the family can be as rewarding as the finished product. Again there are many shapes and styles of molds for the candles, and you can create your own masterpiece.
If you have a fireplace, you will want that decorated as well. At this point you probably have most of what you need from the other projects, except for some evergreen branches which can be purchased almost anywhere. You can either leave the fireplace mantle exposed or for a warmer feel, try draping a cloth over it.
Now that you and your family have created the perfect Christmas on a budget, throw a few logs on the fire, sit back and enjoy. This is one Christmas the whole family will remember.
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Frugal Ways to Decorate Your Thanksgiving Table
Look in any home and garden publication a month or two before Thanksgiving, and you’ll see all sorts of elaborate table arrangements. Professional decorators go all out to create a veritable masterpiece. And if you check the prices on the items they use, you’ll often find that they spend several hundred (and often several thousand) dollars to get the table to look so nice.
How can the average person compete with that? Usually, we can’t. But we can make our Thanksgiving tables look great without paying an arm and a leg. Inexpensive items from the local discount store and things found in nature can be combined to create an elegant yet inexpensive Thanksgiving table. Here are some pointers.
Linens
Tablecloths and napkins can be prohibitively expensive. But if you’re only using them on special occasions, you can get away with cheaper options. Dollar stores often carry lovely tablecloths at a fraction of the price you would pay at a high-end department store. They might not last as long as more expensive ones, but if cared for properly they will stay in good shape for several years.
You can find inexpensive cloth napkins at some dollar stores as well. Or you could check outlet stores for discontinued or slightly blemished napkins. You can often find deals on tablecloths there, too. If you’re good at sewing, you could even make your own co-ordinating tablecloth and napkins.
Centerpieces
A pretty centerpiece adds a nice touch to any table. For Thanksgiving, you can make one at very little cost with things found in nature. Mini pumpkins, squash and other fall veggies can be arranged with some nuts to make a yummy centerpiece. If you want, you could find an inexpensive cornucopia at your local craft store and put these items in it.
Fall flowers also make wonderful centerpieces. If you grow your own, simply pick some in various colors and arrange them in a vase. You’ll have a beautiful, fragrant centerpiece at no cost whatsoever.
Of course, there probably won’t be a whole lot of room on the table for a centerpiece by the time you put all of the food on it. If space is a concern, taper candles are a simple yet elegant alternative. You can find candleholders at discount stores at very reasonable prices. You could place some leaves or gourds around them if you want to do something a bit more elaborate without taking up too much room.
A beautiful Thanksgiving table isn’t necessary for enjoying all of that delicious food. But it certainly adds a nice touch to the holiday and lets your guests know that you value their company. With a little imagination, you can decorate the table and still have plenty of money to spend on dinner.
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Frugal Thanksgiving Table Decoration Ideas
When Thanksgiving rolls around, most people focus on the food on the table. Here’s how to make the meal even more special by having a beautifully frugal decorated table even before the food is added.
Thanksgiving was originally a time to celebrate a bountiful harvest. With that idea in mind, you can create thanksgiving table decorations with natural autumn colors. There are so many frugal ways to decorate using natural items – pinecones, fruits, vegetables, leaves and twigs. Here are a few to consider.
Start out with a rich jewel-toned tablecloth. A deep red, golden yellow or orange tablecloth will make a wonderful backdrop for the place settings. Add contrasting colored cloth napkins if you have them. Create napkin rings out of beads and silk leaves. Glue a couple of acorns onto the napkin ring.
If you have enough dishes to do so, stack the main dinner plate on top of a golden charger. This will dress the table up considerably, especially if you use gold-toned decorations elsewhere on the table. If you don’t have other gold-toned items for the table, try to find candlesticks which are gold-toned or small vases to place flowers in.
Beeswax candles of varying heights can be added to the table. You can put the candles on a mirror for added interest. These can be placed at opposite ends of the table so you have enough room for a centerpiece. Spread cranberries or glass marbles on the mirrors to break up the reflection of the candle.
The centerpiece can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Try to keep the centerpiece on the short side since people will be seated at the table. You want your centerpiece to allow you to have a conversation with the person across from you. Of course, if you love a tall, dramatic centerpiece you can always remove it before the food arrives.
Find large fall leaves and wash them. Then carefully write each person’s name on the leaf with metallic markers. These will be used as place cards. If you’re not sure about using leaves, you can also find small gourds or pears to lean the place cards against. Use raffia to tie the name card to the gourd or pear. Another idea is to find small picture frames and place a picture of each person in the frame. These can then be used in lieu of place cards.
Frugal Thanksgiving table decoration ideas don’t have to be elaborate to be beautiful. Think about the things you enjoy most about the fall and incorporate those ideas into your frugal decorations. You’ll be proud of your efforts to supply your family with a beautiful table and delicious food.
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Save Money on Candle Making Supplies
Candle making can be a great past time, hobby, or business venture. While the supplies for candling making are remarkably inexpensive, the cost does start to add up over time. There are many ways you can cut back the cost of the candle making supplies, but I caution you not to sacrifice the quality of the products you purchase just to save a few dollars. This is especially important for those who sell their candles. If the quality of the product goes down because you are buying wax and other supplies that are of less quality, you will end up costing your business money over the long haul.
Keep a list of the candle making supplies you use. Include the brand, the price, and the amount of the item you get for that price. This will help you compare the prices with sales you run across and know if you are getting a better deal or not. Many craft stores run sales on candle making items before and right after the holidays. This can be a great time to stock up.
Checking online auction sites including Ebay and Yahoo Auctions can often be an excellent way to find the same candle making products you use at a discounted price. It could be that the seller of the items doesn’t have the time to make candles anymore or they simply have moved on to other things.
If you use a large volume of candle making supplies on a regular basis, consider buying them wholesale. You will pay more up front for your supplies, yet overall you will save a considerable amount of money. You can search such wholesalers on the internet and compare prices. Many online wholesalers offer free shipping as well so that is another area where you can save money if you normally purchase your candle making supplies online. If you know other people who make candles as well consider buying in bulk and sharing the cost as well as the supplies. This is an easy way for everyone to get a discount as well as reduce the cost at the time of purchase.
Some of the discount candle making products on the market are very comparable to the quality products you already use. A good way to tell is to compare the ingredients. You can research the necessary ingredients of each item on the internet. If the discount products contain all the major ingredients as the candle making supplies you already use, then give it a try. It is recommended that you only purchase one or two items at first to test the quality. Keep track of where you purchased the discounted items so you can return to that retailer or online store if you are happy with the quality of the products.
Containers and holders for your candles are one area you should never spend a great deal of money on. I won’t recommend buying them for regular price unless they are for a wedding or other very special occasion. You can buy mason jars, extra glassware, votive holders, and many other containers to use candle making at thrift stores and garage sales for a very reasonable price. You might also check the online auctions to purchase large quantities of candle making container and holders at a very good price.
The supplies used in candle making can cost you a great deal of money over time. To save money on the quality supplies you use, take the time to compare prices both online and at local retailers. Take advantage of discounts and sales throughout the year at craft stores. Be cautious when looking at discount candle making supplies. You want to make sure they offer the same quality that you are already using. Finding supplies at online auctions and buying them in bulk are also great ways to save you money on candle making supplies.
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