Decorate for Christmas without breaking the bank

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From shopping tips to easy projects, these festive ideas from the team at homes+ magazine will stretch your silly season spending money. Plus, find out how to make a quick, cute wreath!

Shop smart

  • Stalk the sales. Stock up on decorations and essentials like gift wrap and ribbon at bargain prices just before Christmas when they're on sale (or afterwards, and save them for next year).
  • Avoid impulse buys - work out a colour scheme for your Christmas decorating and stick to it.
  • Research online and compare prices before you start shopping.
  • Do a stocktake of what you already have, and just buy a couple of things to update your existing collection.

homes+ decorating christmas home beautiful festive season wreath diy craft accessories santa save money budget

Get craftyhomes+ decorating christmas home beautiful festive season wreath diy craft accessories santa save money budget reindeer

  • Create a wreath. Buy a floral foam wreath and use greenery from your garden to decorate it. Or make a whimsical alternative, like our easy vine and pompom garland (instructions below).
  • Involve the kids and DIY decorations using assorted craft supplies. Trace around festive cookie cutters on card they can cut out and decorate. Or try washi tape to make great wall art - see how to make this great reindeer in the December issue of homes+.
  • Make pompom garlands with leftover wool. Pompoms are easy (check out homestolove.com.au for how to make a basic pompom). Thread varying sizes together to create a colourful and quirky garland.
  • Hang gingerbread cookies on the tree or from a bunch of twigs in a vase. Use festive shaped cookie cutters (IKEA has great ones), poke a hole in the top before you bake the dough, and use ribbon to hang them.

Create your own

  • Tree Bring a potted tree or plant inside to decorate as a living Christmas tree.
  • Fresh displays Use foliage and flowers from your garden, like branches from magnolia, camellia, viburnum and gardenia bushes.
  • Place settings Make fragrant place settings with potted herbs like rosemary. Or tie sprigs together with ribbon or string and place around napkins.
  • Table centrepiece Fill a large clear glass vase or bowl with tinsel or baubles. Buy inexpensive white candles or votives, place in small glass jars, and tie ribbon around the outside of the jar for a festive feel.

homes+ decorating christmas home beautiful festive season wreath diy craft accessories santa save money budget

Whimsical wreath

You will need

  • ivy vines
  • jute or string
  • pompom garland
  1. Strip the leaves off the vines.
  2. Bundle lengths of vine together and shape into a circle, tying sections with string to secure.
  3. Continue adding vine and tying with string until you have a layered wreath.
  4. Weave a pompom garland around the wreath to finish.

For more inspiring Christmas decorating ideas, check out the December issue of homes+ magazine, on sale November 27 or visit homestolove.com.au.

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