As
a small business owner, I often entertain for business and for fun during the
holidays. Since watching my budget can
be a challenge, I'm always searching for ways to cut costs, especially for
non-essentials like decorating. Over the years, I've found great ways to do
just that and I'm sharing all with you today.
Dollar stores offer great deals.
Shopping
for deals at the Dollar Store is easy if it is done wisely. Everything is a dollar but beware not all
items are worth a dollar. I look for
packages of red bows, floral, garland, and ornaments to string on a ribbon. Floral-filled baskets are perfect for table
decoration.
Many
times, I find coupons on the Family Dollar Store's website, like one last year:
$5 off $25 or more.
Get crafty at craft stores.
Luckily
the craft store – Michael's –
nearest us not only has sales each week but discount coupons. Here I can find everything I need to create
my own work of art or one that is already made.
I find floral in bright holiday colors, many types of garland, a variety
of ribbons, and even Christmas trees at steep discounts. I bought a bag full of floral and five
packages of ribbon for $18.
Watch
for the pre-holiday sales and get there early, as some items are short-term. I found a 7.5-foot pre-lit
Christmas tree made from post-recycled material less than half price.
Be thrifty at thrift stores.
Every
time I move, I give high-quality items to a local thrift store and I'm not the
only one. Some of those donated items
are holiday
decorations. I've also found small red
and green colored glasses to use as candle holders and vases for centerpieces.
Reuse what you already own.
Look
around! Much of what you already own can
be tweaked for holiday decorations use. With
the ribbon, I bought at Michael's I wrap the pillows on my entry bench as if
they are packages and create bows to hang on the garland lining my stair
rail. This creates a festive welcoming
foyer.
As
a retired elementary school teacher, I saved a few old kindergarten musical
instruments – tambourines, maracas, finger cymbals, etc. – from the
dumpster. Wrapping a few empty boxes as
gifts and gathering some fallen pine-tree branches, I create a Christmas scene
on my porch with the instruments. It's
quite cute.
Throughout
my life, I've collected quite a few tree ornaments. I place some of the simpler ones in bowls and
baskets as table decorations.
Found objects are great finds.
Acorns,
pinecones, leaves, tree branches all make for excellent decorations. Grabbing my coat and a large bag, I take a
walk around the neighborhood. Within
minutes, I find all I need.
With
the leaves, I line plates and
fill them with apples, oranges, and walnuts for centerpieces. The acorns and pinecones go into bowls with
a few sprigs of nandina berries from my garden for table decorations. I finish
my holiday scene in style with ornaments hung on tree branches spray painted
silver and secured in vases.
Happy Holidays!
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