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More Holiday Accents
by Nikki Willhite
www.allthingsfrugal.com
Here are some more economical ways to make your home look more
festive during the holidays.
*Use toys you already have for display. If you have an electric
train set, working or not, set it around the Christmas tree. Some other toys
that look great under the tree are little wagons, dolls and teddy bears (which
you can place in the wagon), building blocks, and stuffed animals.
I use to make Raggedy Ann dolls and sell them. If you make the
clothes with zippers, you can make outfits for each season to display them in. I
like to display a Raggedy Ann doll with her arm around a teddy bear. Put a big
red bow around the bear, and you have a darling display, whether it is under the
tree or elsewhere. Use what you have.
*Make the gifts you display under the tree for family members
more decorative by using fabric ribbon. It costs more to buy, but you can use it
over and over. Just collect it after the presents are opened and store away for
the next year.
You also have the option of adding them to augment the look of
other Christmas accessories like wreaths, garland and candles. You can use them
on the tree, like a garland, or in big bows. Watch for these ribbons to go on
sale during and after the Christmas season.
A lot of people decorate with garland, around their fireplaces
and up their stairs. It looks really pretty with lights added to it, but if you
don't have a strategically placed electrical outlet, this may not be an option.
Add shiny metallic ribbon to decorate the garland and make it sparkle.
*Instead of spreading out magazines on your coffee table, lay
out colorful Christmas story books.
*Display Christmas Cards by laying on a table, covered with a
sheet of glass/plexiglass.
*Paint some Christmas artwork on a window. Kids love this. Use
stencils, or freehand Christmas designs. Finish by spraying around the borders
with spray snow. Your will find the stencils, window paint and spray at your
local craft store.
When I was in college, my roommate and I did our window up with
a list of 10 things (humorous) that we wanted for Christmas. We were on the
first floor of the dorm, so everyone saw it. It was a lot of fun.
*Make sound part of your Season. Attach bells to your front door
that ring when it is opened. Again, these bells are versatile, and can be added
as decorations to all other accessories. Some people with young children like to
add bells to the bottom of their Christmas tree as a safety measure so that if
the kids start playing with the tree, they can hear it.
Change your answering machine to reflect the holidays. Give a
short Christmas Greeting before your standard message. Personally answer the
phone with a holiday greeting.
Play those Christmas tapes and CDs! Music often sets the tone in
your home. Take the time to have it softly playing in the background when your
family is home.
*Add more Christmas patterns to your room with the use of
fabric. You don't have to buy large table clothes. Just use small square pieces
of fabric and drape them over tables or the back of chairs.
You don't even have to sew to make these throws. Just buy the
fabric in a design you like, and use your iron to hem with fusible tape (stitch
wizary). If you are unfamiliar with this product, just ask at your local fabric
store.
*Add as many Christmas smells to your home as you can afford.
Bake those cookies, or simmer those spices.
If you can afford them, nothing is as beautiful as fresh
Poinsettias. If you just want the color, buy them in silk. I've had some I've
displayed now for over a decade. They still look as good as new.
If you have the time, and the money, add those special little
touches. |