Create a Budget-Friendly Winter Wonderland

As the classic tune reminds us, there’s no place like home for the holidays, and isn’t that the truth? But when your holiday home is brand new, cost a pretty penny and is still fresh in your bank account, holiday fun can quickly morph into holiday humbug. The good news is that with these budget-friendly tips, you can still deck the halls to your merriment! Here’s to keeping budgets low and spirits high!

Reimagine the Tree

Does your tree really need to be a 9 foot tall living evergreen? Save some cash this year by opting for something out of the ordinary. Off-color faux trees, such as white, tend to sell for less and with the bold color choice you won’t need to go as large to make a big impact.

Indulge in Your Sweet Tooth

Put that family-size box of candy canes or peppermints to good use! The festive sweets can be used for all sorts of holiday decorating from tree ornaments, to wreaths, to festive centerpieces. To get the tutorial on this beautiful table topper click here.

Light Up the Night

Add some holiday magic outside your new home with these festive luminarias! Transform ordinary paper bags into beautiful lanterns customized with your favorite holiday designs. Just be sure to use battery-powered candles to keep it safe.

String Up Your Holiday Cheer

With a pair of scissors, some string and decorative paper, and just 30 minutes you can have a gorgeous Star of David or snowflake garland! The limits are endless with this holiday project – garland, ornaments, adornments for gifts, you name it!

So, how will you be turning your home into a winter wonderland this year? Share your budget-friendly tips with other new neighbors in the comments!

Budget Decorating Your New Home

This feels good, right? You’re in your new home, the dust has settled. Now comes the fun part – decorating. But between the home purchase, packing supplies, moving vans and all of the other costly odds and ends that come along with moving, let’s face it, you’re broke. Don’t fret. With these tips you can still get your new home dressed just the way you like it.

1.) Break Out the Sewing Machine

Create fashionable and affordable décor in the comfort of your new home with a few basic sewing items. Rather than shelling out top dollar for throw pillows, bedding and window treatments, consider making them yourself. And, no, you don’t need to be a Martha Stewart type in order to accomplish this. It only sounds like a daunting task.

2.) Put on a Comfy Pair of Shoes, You’re Going Thrifting.

Start thinking of ‘thrifting’ as a verb rather than a place. More than likely, the first thrift shop you hit won’t produce wonders, so you’ll need to carry on to a few more to find what you’re looking for. With a little patience, thrift shops are a gold mine for budget decorating. All it takes is a few bucks, a lot of imagination, and some crafting supplies to transform just about anything
shabby into something fabulous.

3.) Art Can Be Virtually Free

Art doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag to be beautiful. There’s so much you can do with what you already have.

– Pick up a few frames (they don’t have to be new), hang them on walls and place simple things like dried flowers, feathers, and leaves inside of them. It’s a great way to bring the outdoors in.

– Create colorful pops with fabric scraps or spare molding. Fasten the fabric around shallow boxes or stretch them into a photo frame. You can fasten the molding into the center for a fun, 3-D piece or leave the fabric just as it is.

– Have a beautiful set of china or painted plates? Use them as unique wall art.

4.) Hide the Clutter

Your keen eye for decorating can’t truly be appreciated if nobody can see past the clutter. Keep your home organized and neat with a desk, shelving and storage bins – all of which you can build yourself or find on the cheap at a thrift store. The difference between ‘clutter’ and ‘décor’ is just presentation, so make sure your knick-knacks match the room’s style, or hide them completely. Think woven bins that double as décor, or slide out of view under a coffee table.

Now that you’ve got the tips and tricks to make your new house feel more like the perfect home it’s time to get down to business. So get out there and start to beautify!