Growing up, decorating for Christmas was something I looked forward to every year. And even still, I love to turn on some Christmas music, pull the tree out of storage, and decorate the house for the holidays. It’s a chance to slow down, set the tone for the season, and meditate on the birth of Christ. However you decorate- minimalist, maximalist, primitive or glitzy- it’s an opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds for the days to come.
When I got married, my husband was working as a graduate assistant, and I had a part-time retail job. Needless to say, I had to get creative with my holiday homemaking. My mother was extremely generous and bought us an artificial Christmas tree (since I’m actually allergic to pine trees), and we had stockings and a few festive blankets. The one thing I purchased that year was a vintage cookie jar. It added a bit of cheer to our coffee table, and the treats inside did the rest of the work. The next year, I bought some very plastic-y greenery from the dollar store and had fun dressing up our apartment, but they didn’t survive being taken down.
Last year, since I was no longer working and had a little more time, I decided I was going to make some of our decorations. And that’s exactly what this post is about. There are so many ways you can save money and add a unique touch to your home during the holidays. Take a little time, make something beautiful, and make memories along the way.
Work with what you have
My first tip for saving money and making your décor unique is to start with what you have. Maybe you have some candle holders, books, vases, or picture frames that you change slightly to make your décor more cohesive. Change out the white candle sticks for red ones. Stick a few vintage books and tie them with a festive ribbon, or purchase a holiday-inspired print to place in a picture frame for the season. Making small changes to pieces that you already have in your home can add coziness without adding too many items.
Thrift new items
The thrift store can be a wonderful place to find unique pieces at a low price. They typically have a section devoted to holiday décor, so you shouldn’t have a hard time hunting. Also check out the non-holiday home items, because they could maybe be adjusted to be a bit more festive. The ornaments in the gallery above are ones that my mom shared with me. I grew up hanging them up each year, and when my mom was moving, she deicide to gift them to me. Second-hand doesn’t have to be thrifted, so see if anyone you know is looking to rehome some items.
Make something if you can’t find it
Obviously there is a limit to what you can do at home, but there are so many things you can do! Some ideas might be:
- Sew a tree skirt
- Salt dough or baking soda dough ornaments
- Citrus/cranberry/popcorn garland
- Have children make ornaments
- Cardboard gingerbread neighborhood
- Sew a festive pillow cover
- Crochet a Christmas blanket
These are just a few ideas, but there are so many ways to create that cozy Christmas feeling in your home. My absolute favorite way to create that feeling is to bake a holiday treat. The smell of warm goodies, and even the look of a plate full of homemade cookies can make it feel like a perfect Christmas at home.
Above all these things are the memories you make while doing them. Include those you love in the making, and be intentional with conversation. Take the time to talk about the year and share in the joy of Christ’s birth. I hope you’ll make the time for these moments even if you don’t make the decorations.
From Us to You, Merry Christmas!
Rebekah
