It’s December, and ‘tis the season to DECK THE HALLS!!!!! If you are like me, you have been waiting for this awesome time of year and are ready to express your excitement by giving your space a wonderful holiday facelift!!! Of course, you too have probably been bombarded with the images of homes covered in tinsel and garland from front porch to back yard, from above the stove to the bathroom in the basement!!!! How in the world can ANYONE keep up with that????  If you have been following my blog, (WHICH OF COURSE YOU SHOULD!!! 😊) you know this is only our 3^rd Christmas in our current home. Though it has been SOOOO tempting to go Christmas-decoration-crazy, buying new Christmas eye candy for every room in the house, I have had to take a much more conservative approach.

Holiday decorations can be VERY costly. I’ve seen single ornaments cost as much as $21!!! Not to mention pillows and hand towels and wreaths… WHEW!!!! Decorating an entire home from scratch can cost more than all your Christmas gifts combined. And though décor is indeed an important part of any holiday experience, we can’t let it consume the majority of the holiday budget. So. I have come up with a few ways to spruce up your home without breaking the bank!

1. Inexpensive must haves: Lights, wreaths, burlap, ribbon, and flowers are sure to give any space a holiday boost. The best part is, you can find all these items for less than $5.00 at places like Walmart, Hobby Lobby and Michaels. (SEE PICS AND DESCRIPTION)

   

   An assortment of lights, pillows, flowers, stockings, and ornaments collected over the last couple years.

   

   DIY project: A Merry Christmas banner made with burlap and other fabric.

   

   I cut each piece of fabric into banner triangles… (fabric from Hobby Lobby)

   

   I found some inexpensive metal letters at Walmart and glued them to the fabric. I attached the letters to a twine string with stained clothes pins.

   

   I added lights and holly to the wreath that already sits on the side of our fireplace (lights from Walmart).

   

   I have been wanting stockings for the fireplace for the past two years, but they were WAY too expensive. So, I found a plain set at Hobby Lobby and added a little burlap, holly, beading and metal letters for a FRACTION of the cost.

   

   I added various Christmas flowers and holly to the watering can (vase) and holly to the wreath in the guest bathroom. Simple and very inexpensive addition. (flowers from Hobby Lobby)

   

   I added flowers to the vase in the kids’ bathroom (Hobby Lobby), Christmas towels to the towel rack (Hobby Lobby), and faux pine trees to the shelf (Target).

   

   Personalizing the stockings for each member of the family.

   

   Christmas flowers to the vase in the hallway… (flowers from Hobby Lobby)

2. Items to build on: Instead of jumping right into the latest $300 Christmas duvet and sham set, or chunky yarn blanket, look for holiday sheets, throws and pillows. Places like Ross, TJ MAXX, Marshalls, Target and Walmart, have some very affordable options to suit any decorating style. (SEE PICS AND DESCRIPTION)

   

   I REALLY love the plaid Christmas duvets and quilts at some of the fancy stores, however, some of them cost over $300!!! Instead, I found this adorable flannel sheet set at Target, added some inexpensive faux velvet pillows (TJ Maxx) and garland to the headboard (Hobby Lobby) for a FRACTION of the cost.

   
   

   

   
   

   

   Everyone loves the chunky knit blanket… SUPER EXPENSIVE!!! I decided to buy some chunky yarn (Hobby Lobby) and make one myself…

   
   

   

   YOU GOT THIS!!! 🙂

   
   

   

   I am not ready for Christmas rugs and major garland in the kitchen yet, so this year I added burlap to the vase over the cabinets, and simply add Christmas towels (Target) to the appliances.

   
   
3. The fancy stuff: Just because you want to maintain a healthy decorating budget, doesn’t mean you have to forfeit having name brand/fancy items for your home. If you see an item that you REALLLY love, wait until right after season and purchase it when it is a fraction of the cost. You may have to wait until next year to enjoy it, but it will be worth it to have it at a reasonable cost. (SEE PICS AND DESCRIPTION)

   

   I love some of the ornaments, blankets, and other goodies from Pottery Barn and other super shops. I waited until after the season and purchased them at a fraction of the cost. 🙂 I plan to do the same thing this year!

   
   

It is super tough to see the Deck the Halls XLT version on social media, in magazines, stores, and even at friends’ homes. However, one of the greatest parts of this season is the fact that it is built on memories. Whether you are in a studio apartment, have the basement floor of your mom’s house, or a 6,000-square foot home with a new family, take your time building on the traditions, decorations, gatherings and all the other beautiful things that make this season so bright. Whether cooking an amazing meal, searching for the perfect gifts or hanging ornaments on the tree, when you do it with love and to the glory of the one who gave us the greatest gift of all, it will translate to all who encounter it.  In the meantime, may you enjoy this wonderful holiday season!!!