| Let me say this is my favorite reason to | | | | of holiday spirit to the room! (Hint: use old |
| decorate! Here you will find the reason this | | | | blankets as batting- if you don't have any, |
| issue is so special, great ideas for the | | | | check your thrift stores. Just be sure to |
| holidays, all of them easy on the pocketbook, | | | | wash in hot water, and dry at least 20 |
| and some of them are free! Have a wonderful | | | | minutes in your dryer. White flat twin sheets |
| holiday, and remember to stop every day to | | | | on sale make great backing fabric.) |
| "smell the roses"!For a beautiful outdoor | | | | |
| wreath(or indoor) without spending a fortune | | | | Cut two of a simple holiday shape from felt, |
| on craft supplies, try to remember you need | | | | then sew or fuse them together, decorate with |
| not cover the wreath with decoration to make | | | | permanent markers or fabric paint (if you |
| it special. Try just a few craft store | | | | wish), and hang all over the house! Some very |
| "picks" in one corner, with a big bow. Or get | | | | simple shapes could include stars, |
| some wire star garland (.69 cents at my | | | | packages(glue or paint on some ribbon), |
| store)and just wrap it loosely around the | | | | mittens, snowmen, boots, Christmas trees, |
| wreath. Hot glue some found pinecones to a | | | | stockings, candy canes, gingerbread men |
| corner, or try some old wooden ornaments. You | | | | (trace them from your cookie cutters) and the |
| also don't necessarily need to buy an | | | | list goes on! If you have a rustic theme this |
| expensive evergreen wreath to decorate, and | | | | year, it's not necessary to embellish them at |
| inexpensive grapevine or straw wreath can be | | | | all!Place a few inexpensive glass balls in a |
| dressed up as well. Spray paint clay pots and | | | | bowl and embellish with a few sprigs of |
| saucers a metallic gold for sparkling | | | | greenery or some leftover ribbon. If you |
| coasters and utensil or candle holders for | | | | don't have an extra bowl (it is the holidays, |
| the season.If you have extra lights after | | | | after all!) try decoupaging a box with |
| stringing the tree, wind some through your | | | | leftover Christmas wrap, or cover with a |
| potted plants for a special way to bring the | | | | little fabric and glue.Take down your |
| sparkle throughout the room.For a simple but | | | | pictures and wrap them like a gift, then hang |
| beautiful centerpiece, set three or five | | | | them back on the wall for great holiday |
| candles of different heights in the middle of | | | | cheer! You don't have to do this all around |
| the table on a tray, then surround the bases | | | | the house, how about just in the entry, or |
| of the candles with seasonal items. Low cost | | | | maybe the dining room?Place votive or pillar |
| ideas? Cuttings from your Christmas tree, or | | | | candles on a small mirror used as a tray. Tie |
| from evergreen trimmings in your yard are a | | | | sprigs of greens or cinnamon sticks on the |
| great first layer. Then how about shiny | | | | candles with ribbon or raffia. Be sure the |
| apples, glass ornaments turned hanger side | | | | flame is far enough away from the |
| down, found pinecones, nuts, wire star | | | | embellishments!Make paper trees out of a |
| garland, leftover ribbon... By the way, the | | | | square of pretty paper, preferably use a |
| same idea can be used for Thanksgiving, just | | | | paper that is a little stiff. Simply roll the |
| substitute fall leaves, squashes, mini | | | | paper into a cone, and glue the edge with a |
| pumpkins, etc...Buy those bags of cranberries | | | | hot glue gun. Perhaps some gold glitter or |
| when they go on sale for $1, and fill bowls | | | | squiggles of paint to dress them up, and they |
| that hold pillar candles, or fill a simple | | | | will be beautiful on your mantel or as a |
| glass of water with them to just a few inches | | | | centerpiece with greens. Try experimenting |
| below the top, and put a floating candle in. | | | | with different colors and textures...this |
| Nuts can work the same way, but they tend to | | | | would be a great place to use leftover |
| be more expensive. However, is you have a nut | | | | cardstock or handmade paper! You could also |
| tree in your yard...Hollow out the center of | | | | do this with a piece of stiffened fabric.Tie |
| an apple as a candleholder, and tuck a few | | | | greens or ornaments to the chandelier with a |
| tiny greens in between the candle and the | | | | little Christmas ribbon, just make sure they |
| apple. Just be sure the flame never comes | | | | don't hang low enough for any candles on the |
| near the twigs. A little lemon juice | | | | table to catch them on fire.Above all, be |
| sprinkled on the cut part of the apple will | | | | creative, and have a wonderful holiday with |
| help keep it from browning as much.Have a lot | | | | those you care about!Kathleen Wilson is an |
| of scrap Christmas fabric from years past? | | | | author, columnist, and editor of The Budget |
| Use it to make a simple square patchwork | | | | Decorator and other popular websites. |
| quilt as a throw for the couch, and add a lot | | | | |