Maryville Pawprint Maryville Pawprint, Maryville University's Student Newspaper
Wrapped frames. Photo courtesy of http://www.frombaliwithlove.com/.
Christmas is a hard enough time for everyone’s wallets without having to add holiday decorations into your budget. This year, get rid of your old decorations and get some new ones—for cheap! Whether you need a centerpiece or ornaments for your tree, these ideas are sure to brighten up your holidays.
Have your guests beaming from the moment they enter your front door with this easy DIY ornament wreath made out of a wire hanger and any extra round ornaments you have. Untwist your wire hanger and shape it into a circle, you may need to cut the extra ends off if they are too squiggly to make it easier to put it all together. All you have to do is loop the ornaments through the wire hanger until it is full, then twist one of the ends to hook around the other side and you’re done! Check out some more in depth directions here.
You know those family photos hanging above the fireplace or on the walls? Put them to good use during the holidays. Take them off the walls and wrap them up like a present, throw a bow on them and hang them back up and you have the easiest and cheapest holiday decorations in the world, not to mention they look fabulous!
Another quick and easy DIY decoration is to tie some extra ornaments to thin ribbons, tie them to garland and string it along your windows on the inside—if you want to add some extra pizzazz, tie a pretty ribbon around the garland or even add some lights.
Window decorations. Photo courtesy of Google.
Here is my favorite DIY holiday decoration yet. I’m sure most of you have some empty wine bottles laying around. Here’s your chance to put them to good use. Spray paint them white, and then spray them with some spray adhesive and roll the tacky bottle in some Epsom salt. Once dry, place some pretty fake floral arrangements or picks in the bottles, arrange them on your table or on a platter, add some matching ornaments and candles and you have a beautiful winter centerpiece. For more instructions, check out this blog!
Here’s another easy decoration using extra ornaments. Buy a cheap shadow box from your local craft store and put a bunch of ornaments inside, close it up, and replace a wall decoration with your new DIY masterpiece. While you’re at the craft store be sure to pick up a Styrofoam cone and glue ornaments to it, tie a pretty bow on top and you’re done!
Last but not least, go outside and collect some pine cones, spray paint them pretty colors or even add some sparkle spray paint, tie ribbon on top and you have some new Christmas tree decorations. All of these decorations are easy to do and don’t take a lot of time or money and they are sure to get you a ton of compliments!
Love your tip about using empty wine bottles, but don’t forget if you have any of the small, mini wine bottles you could so something with those as well.