Christmas Decorations

Wrap some fake presents. Wrap some empty boxes with festive gift paper and use them as decorations. You can place them on a table, by the front door, or even under your tree if it hasn't filled up yet with real presents.

Display your Christmas cards. Place your Christmas cards along your mantel, a dining room table, etc., or string a length of twine and hang the cards on the string. You can hang them across a window or along a stair railing, for example.

Fill a bowl with ornaments. Most of us have more ornaments than we actually put on our tree each year. If you have some of the round ball style ornaments, put the unused ones in a bowl and use it as a centerpiece.

Use candles. Place candles around your home to accent the decorations you put out and to add their own festive glow.

Bring the outdoors in. Use pine cones, walnuts, acorns, etc. to create decorative clusters. You can leave them natural or spray paint them in holiday colors - gold, silver, blue, green and red.

Let the animals loose. Dress up your kids' stuffed animals and dolls in winter clothes (hats, scarves, gloves) and place in scenes, such as under your tree or near your piano, like they're singing carols, etc.

Make your own garland. String popcorn for a traditional and inexpensive holiday garland. Too add some flair, string in pieces of dried fruit or whole, raw cranberries.

Give in to the red and green. Even items that aren't traditionally associated with the holiday can work as Christmas decorations if they're the right colors. You don't need to buy a poinsettia if you already have a red plant that you can decorate with. If you have a plant that's close, but you need to "holiday it up," hang some bows or ornaments on it. Same with pillows, throws, candles or other decorations that fit your holiday color theme. An item need not have Santa on it to add to the mood you're creating.

Buy on clearance. If you really do have decorations that need to be replaced (a wreath that's fallen apart or lights that don't work anymore), consider making do this season without them and then stocking up on replacement items after Christmas is over and everything goes on clearance. You'll get a much better deal if you can be patient. Santa and your laughing wallet will both be pleased.

How do you decorate for Christmas?

Do you have a cool idea for frugal Christmas decorating? Share it with your fellow readers!

Homemade Gifts

Gift Wrapping Ideas

Christmas Ideas

Frugal Holidays

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