Holiday Decorating: Household Items

Ahh … December. Millions of Americans decorate their homes for the holidays. Many spend money on new decorations annually, while the more frugal make do with previously purchased decorations, or get creative with items around the house. There are a number of different ways to go about decorating your home for the holidays, using the things already inside your home.

Creating your own decorations from household items requires some resourcefulness. While it’s possible to purchase holiday decorations for affordable prices, it can still get quite expensive. However, a visit to a local ‘dollar store’ is a safe (and cheaper) bet for supplementing whatever’s around the house. One of the many advantages saving yourself money that could be used for other things like extra gift or spreading goodwill through a donation or two. Another advantage is the relaxation, fun, and family bonding generated during this creative time. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with having ‘done it yourself.’

 This, That, and Some Other Thing …

So, what household items are useful for this decorating venture? Here are some examples:

• Big bowls, small bowls, fancy bowls. Fill them with candy or with curious trinkets and baubles related to the holiday you’re decorating for. Place them in central and/or quieter areas of the home. You can go eclectic or traditional here.
• Artificial flowers. Flowers are decorative without trying. Artificial flowers eliminate any allergy issues. Poinsettias and mistletoe say ‘Christmas,’ but holly and pine simply say ‘holiday.’ You may not have artificial versions of these just lying around the house, so here’s where that trip to the dollar store is useful. Mantels and banisters are usual spots but get creative and find other ‘less traditional’ areas.
• Candles/candleholders. Candles equal instant ambiance. Scented ones are all the rage in any season, so you likely have a few in a cabinet somewhere. If you only have a few, create your own holiday-themed placements on coffee or end tables.
• Table centerpieces. Not everyone has these, and certainly not ‘holiday’ ones. But perhaps you have an ‘heirloom’ you’ve been meaning to donate still hanging around. Get that old box out and … get creative.
• Holiday/Christmas pictures. Photographs from holidays past are great decorations. Switch out the pictures currently in frames or dig out those frames you’ve purchased previously and haven’t used yet.
• Drawings (kid and adult). Like photos, drawings are also used for holiday decorations. If there are school-aged children in the home, classwork has likely resulted in some holiday artwork. Instead of stuffing it in a drawer or posting it on the fridge, frame it if possible and let it stand out. On the adult tip, create your own holiday pictures using paper, colored pencils, markers, or even crayons. If you own a collection of picture frames, turn your holiday drawing(s) into a framed works of art. Get decorative with displays in the bathroom, living room, or even the entrance to your home.

What Once was Old …

In all likelihood, you already have holiday decorations from previous years. It makes solid sense using the same decorations again. To spice things up a little, rearrange the decorations, changing how they’re displayed from how they’ve been presented before. Go rogue and alter the decorations you have. Something as simple as adding a bow to a wreath makes a difference.

Why spend money on new holiday decorations if you don’t have to? Especially if it isn’t within budget. But you’re in the holiday ‘spirit’ and want to decorate. Keeping the above-mentioned pointer in mind, saving money for something better (a holiday dinner perhaps) while getting the house in a holiday ‘mood,’ is doable.