Use Spray Paint To Change DecorationsSpray paint things that you need to change. For example, I went from gold to silver with my decor for Christmas. I spray painted baskets, ornaments, pinecones, etc. silver.
Angel Feather Christmas PoemThis can be a refrigerator magnet or a gift tag attachment and is simple to make. Take some card stock and print the following poem on it. Then attach a fluffy feather to one side of the printing.
Keeping Lights on Weak BranchesMany of our outdoor shrubs have soft needles and branches. When decorating the shrubs with outdoor holiday lights, we pin the light cords to the branches using clothes pins.
Christmas Dough OrnamentsOne of the best ways I get into the holiday spirit is to make something fun with my grand-kids. Get together to make homemade ornaments from baker's clay
Christmas Candy OrnamentsYou will need a number of metal (or other heat-safe) cookie cutters for this recipe. It yields 12-16 small (around 2 inch) shapes, or 8-12 large ornaments. The exact yield will depend on the size of your cookie cutters.
Applesauce Cinnamon Christmas OrnamentsIn medium bowl, combine cinnamon, cloves, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg. Add applesauce; stir to combine. Work mixture with hands two to three minutes or until dough is smooth and ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Use Shepherds Hook As Candy Cane DecorationUse your garden shepherd hook to create a candy cane Christmas decoration! I had some silver tinsel like garland that I used on last year's tree and wrapped it around the shepherd hook from top to bottom.
Refresh Old Holiday DecorationsIt's wonderful to use seasonal decorations every year, but the years can take their toll. Remember that it's easy to re-furbish your decorations, just use colored nail polish and assorted colored permanent markers.
Decorating a Christmas Tree With LightsLights add so much to a Christmas tree. And putting them on can be a lot of fun. But when it comes to taking them off after the holiday, now that's another story altogether!
Hang Ornament on Lamp SwitchFor some added flair when decorating the home for the holidays, hang a large sized ornament from the turn switch on a lamp. This is a great way to change up the lamp for the season.
Beaded Styrofoam Ball OrnamentDon't throw away those old satin covered Styrofoam Christmas balls. They can be recycled into beautiful ornaments. If you happen to find some old ones at a thrift store, make sure they are Styrofoam.
Warning: Cut Christmas Trees Are A Fire HazardSeveral years ago, I put up a cut pine tree for Christmas. Afterward, I took it out back to the burn pile and lit it with a match and one section of toilet paper. Within seconds, the fire was out of control, and so hot that I could not approach it.
Taking Out the Christmas TreeFor easy removal of your Christmas tree, with a sheet on the rug to catch the needles, clip off the branches at their base with a sharp garden tool and put them in a garbage bag.
Tomato Cage As Outdoor Christmas TreeThese "trees" are great for apartment balconies as well. Take a tomato cage, turn it upside down, and bend the legs into the center. Wind one or two strands of Christmas lights around, securing with ordinary twist ties and voila! A Christmas Tree.
Jingle Bell Alarm for PetsIf you have toddlers or pets who might get into your Christmas tree, tie some bells (craft store ones work fine) around the lower branches. If the tree is disturbed you will hear the bells jingle.
Store Christmas Decorations in Santa SacksEach year I store away all my decorations in Santa sacks that have a drawstring top. When Christmas rolls around again I get the bags down from the storage rack in garage. There is no dust and everything is just where I left it.
Wrap Pictures On The WallOne year our small church was hosting a Christmas banquet and was short on funds. We needed some type of inexpensive decorations for the room it was to be held in, so we wrapped large framed pieces of artwork in Christmas paper and added ribbons and bows.
Reuse Spiral Christmas TreeReuse by winding silk holly or ivy garlands around the spirals and then hang some small red felt hearts, green felt Christmas trees and white felt snowflakes.
Holly And Wishbone OrnamentPut breast bone down and glue holly on top. Place a short piece of wire on back to hang.
Victorian WreathTo make a Victorian wreath use a straw wreath and cut 4x4 inch pieces of ecru lace (fabric store). It depends on how large the wreath is for the amount of lace.
Christmas Lights in a JarOne delightful decoration for the holidays is to stuff an inexpensive strand of lights into a clear vase or jar, and simply plug in the lights. Tie the jar with a bright ribbon.
Make Your Own Christmas Ornament HooksHate those flimsy Christmas ornament hooks? A few years ago I decide to make my own. I went to a craft store and bought some the wire used for floral arrangements. It comes in several thicknesses, so you can choose the one(s) you want.
Substitute Wall Christmas TreeOne year I was unable to go to the Christmas Tree Farm with my children due to a broken foot. So I took long lengths of green garland and used it to zig zag a Christmas tree shape on the wall above a small bookcase.
Use Cone Shaped Thread Spools for Tabletop Christmas TreeFor those of us who sew and buy the large cone shaped spools of black and white thread, keep the empty spools. They make great tabletop Christmas trees for the holiday season.
Galaxy Ball Christmas OrnamentUsing a Styrofoam ball (I'd start with a med. size one), take medicine cups and put a small hole in the bottom of the cup burning the end of a needle.
Laundry Bottle Christmas TreeMake a Christmas tree made out of a laundry bottle. Cut out the shape of the tree using leather shears. Punch the holes using a heavy duty hole puncher. Next punch out holes from other bottles to get circles of different colors.
Use Bread Ties to Secure Christmas LightsI save my bread ties and have found one use for them. I use them to tie the Christmas lights to our fence. Merry Christmas!
Use A Craft Line To Dry And Display OrnamentsSo after all these years of crafting and with my kids grown, I finally came up with an idea I could have used all along: my craft line. I asked my handy husband to attach a thin wire over my breakfast bar in the kitchen so I could allow my paper mache ornaments to dry.
Craft: Clipart Wreath OrnamentsCombine a computer printout of a wreath and the youngsters and you will make a family keepsake in no time.
Decorative AcornsI spray acorns with gold paint, and tie with a ribbon. I hang them on my Christmas tree.
Shabby Chic Christmas CenterpieceI already had an old pitcher filled with pink silk roses. To make it more festive, I simply tucked in some gold colored trim from AC Moore (about a buck a piece).
Controlling Christmas Tree DebrisTired of those flying Christmas tree needles? Control them by wrapping your tree in a fitted sheet. Before we bring our tree inside we first spray our tree with a hose to wash the dust and bugs off. Let it dry sitting in a bucket of water.
Make Reindeer Food For Christmas EveFirst, take a small, clear bag, and add about a tablespoon of dried oats to the bag, add a tiny amount of glitter, and label the bag "reindeer food." Put the reindeer food on the front lawn, if you can.
Christmas: Granny Square OrnamentsI once saw a tree decorated only with little white lights and granny squares. Believe it or not, it was great. The squares were later joined to form an afghan, but the family admired them one last time on the tree.
Christmas Cards Cut for Tree Paper ChainChristmas cards can be cut into strips and made into delightful "chains' for your tree. Also I have made chains using red and green paper from old wallpaper books.
Baby Stockings for Christmas OrnamentsYou can find inexpensive packages of red, green or Christmas decorated baby and toddler socks and/or booties on sale now. Just sew a loop at the top of them to hang on your Christmas tree.
Use Window Clings For "Painted" JarsI wanted to paint on jars and fill with Christmas lights but knew I wouldn't be happy with my "art" so I used the acrylic window clings. Just moisten the cling, put it on the inside of your clean jar where you want your "art" to be.
Scarecrow SantaI had a scarecrow at the cemetery for fall. Instead of throwing it away, I made it into a Santa Claus for the holidays. Felt, a dollar Santa hat, and hot glue. Turned out very well.
Santa FaceI placed the photo under a piece of glass out of a frame that I decided was the right size. I then built a crushed glass Santa beard and hat around his face on a black crushed glass background as you can see.
Flower Pot SnowmanTo make this recycled snowman: paint flower pots white. Hot glue medium one on top of large one. Paint paper plate holder black, glue black flower pot on top of plate holder then to med pot. Decorate with scrap pieces for scarf, add eyes, and attach orange painted knob for nose.
Making Wreath From Artificial Christmas TreeSave your old artificial Christmas trees to make a wreath. Cut 1/2 inch plywood into a donut shape, the size will vary according to how big you want it. Paint it green.
Pasta SnowflakesThis is a very easy, inexpensive craft that is fun to do with children of all ages! All you need is dried pasta, glue, and wax paper.
Uses for Clear Rope LightingAfter the holidays, buy clear rope lighting on sale at 75% off! Rope lighting works great when attached under a bar, cabinet or bed in the home. It looks like the bottom of the bar, bed or cabinet is glowing!
Recycle a Spiral Christmas Tree as a TrellisAt Christmas one year, I bought one of those lighted spiral decoration trees. After a few years, it just didn't work. I was looking for a trellis for some plants, and guess what I used? The spiral frame made the flowering vine that grew up it, look like a tree in my yard. Everyone would ask what kind of tree it was.
Personalized SnowmenI bought these snowmen at an after Christmas clearance sale for about 50 cents each, and used colored markers to write my grandchildren's name on them. I will either display them next Christmas or give them to the grandchildren
Christmas Paper AngelsThese are so sweet and easy! Just cut out a shape from paper (body and head), this is your template. Cut out two ovals of appropriate size for arms; wings are paper twist ribbon.
Mitten Christmas OrnamentAs you know, young children tend to lose things. My son recently lost a mitten and I just didn't want to throw away the remaining one. So I decided to turn it into a Christmas tree ornament.
Natural Homemade Christmas DecorationsThese are just some ideas for some natural homemade Christmas decorations.
Christmas Angels MobileReuse an old angel tree top or cut out a large angel from a magazine or hand draw one. Cut out and glue to white card board. Make stars out of white poster board.
Making Christmas WreathsI love to hang wreaths all around my home for the holidays. I decorate with any and everything!
Decorating Small Christmas TreesDecorating a tiny tree? You can use all sorts of odd things on it. I clipped a bunch of hair clips with red decorative buttons on them onto the branches of one small tree, just the right scale.
Anything WreathsThis are pictures of what I call Anything Wreaths, just to show you can make your own wreaths very inexpensively out of just about anything. Both are made using grapevine bases, which I picked up for pennies at yard sales, and a glue gun.
Craft: Christmas Bear In A JarHot glue a small Christmas bear to the bottom of an old fashioned canning jar, add some greenery, include something like the snow shoes or you could add a mail box or a small wrapped gift, etc. add some fake snow and a pretty ribbon on the jar and you've got a very cute original Christmas decoration.
Inexpensive Holiday Decorating: Candy CanesIn last minute budget/economy Christmas decorating - don't forget candy canes!
Add Bows for a Christmas TouchA nice holiday tip I ran across while surfing the net was to add holiday touches to items already around the house, like putting bows on figurines, etc.
Gather Pine Boughs from Christmas Tree LotsHave a yen for an Xmas tree but don't have the $ or space? Then gather pine boughs (branches) to you from the local xmas tree stands and garden centers!
Polymer Clay Decorated Glass BlocksDecorate your glass blocks with polymer clay - You can bake them in the oven (drill holes first) at 260-265 degrees F for 20-25 minutes and the clay sticks to the block.
Use Christmas Lights Year RoundChristmas lights, not just for Christmas anymore! Think about buying a few packs of lights after this year's holiday when they go on clearance . . . and use them all year round. Strings of "Red" lights adds a lot more romance to a Valentines Day.
Decorate With PineconesThe least expensive Christmas tree decoration I know is to use lawn harvested pinecones. Pick up any size or kind from the ground (ask permission but most are happy to get rid of them!), take them inside and let them warm up and open up. I put mine in a plastic bag so any critters are contained.
Making a Christmas Wreath for NothingFind a pine tree with branches close to the ground. Cut enough branches for you to make a wreath. Make a circle base with the branches and then build on with other branches. I used twine to bind the wreath, you can use craft wire or even ribbon.
Set Up Christmas Tree In The GarageWhen Christmas rolls around and it's time to get our tree ready to put up, I always share this tip with friends. Surprising how many folks have never thought of this idea, yet it's so simple.
Homemade Christmas Bathroom DeodorizerUse a wash cloth and roll it in a roll. Sew side together and cut out fire flame and attach to the top with straight pins.
Preparing to String Christmas LightsWhen putting up Christmas lights inside or out I save myself a lot of grief by doing the following things. First, stock up on bulbs and fuses in advance to save making an extra trip out to buy them. Untangle each string. Plug one at a time in and replace bulbs.
Create a Tree With Your ChildrenInstead of a tree that may shed, cause allergies, or one that you have to pay $300 for, why don't you make your own? This is a money AND space saver.
Glitter Wooden OrnamentsAt just about any dollar tree, or craft shop, you can find these wonderful wooden shapes. I found these at a yard sale which made each ornament cost me about 15¢!
Convert Your Fall Display Into a Christmas SceneI always set up a fall display, which also included an old rocker. I thought what a waste of pumpkins and hay after Thanksgiving. So after that holiday, I removed the leaves and fall flowers. My pumpkins were of different sizes...
Snowflake Puzzle OrnamentWith Christmas coming up soon, I thought I'd pass on this snowflake craft idea. Take an old puzzle (with pieces missing, preferably!), that you no longer use, and craft sticks (popsicle sticks). I usually use a hot glue gun to glue the sticks together in kind of an asterisk design.
Turn Wind Chimes Into OrnamentsThis is a tip for wind chimes that can't endure wind and don't have too much chime. Such as ones that are constructed of plastic, nylon string, and thin aluminum tubes.
Glittery Wooden Clothes Pins for Christmas OrnamentsSpray pin with cheap white paint and use what ever coloring items you want. Good for chip bag clips, refrigerator magnets (glue a strip of magnetic piece to pin). I like glitter for Christmas tree ornaments. When clipped on to pine tree the tree lights really reflect the glitter.
Recycle Election Signs as Outdoor Christmas DecorationsSince there are many election signs everywhere and the election is over. You can decorate them by spray painting them and tying a bow on them to look like Christmas presents ...
Easy Angel WingsIf you are handcrafting small angels for ornaments, here is a very easy way to make already wired, angel wings. Simply buy a large, wide roll of glittered or un-glittered wired ribbon. Cut a piece of the ribbon off the roll.
Paper Clip Christmas Tree Garland1. Dip sticky cheap paper clips into glitter. 2. Let dry. 3. Clip clips together as to your length and color preference.
Decorate Cheap Christmas StockingsIf you need Christmas stockings because you missed out on last year's after Christmas sales, you can make really fun ones without sewing and for a little cost. Just buy the cheapest red felt stockings you can find (try drug and discount stores) and sheets of felt at a craft store.
Gourd Snowman Head1 clean round gourd, glue, cotton balls or cotton fiber fill of any color, 1 large Christmas bell, acrylic paint, acrylic sealer, spray at least 2 times for good coverage.
Seashell Christmas Globe OrnamentsI live at the beach and constantly pick up interesting shells and rocks. I have been wanting to use them in an interesting craft and decided I would start looking for very tiny shells and very tiny rocks.
Kids' Santa OrnamentYou will need red or green puff paper (I get it at the dollar store), cotton balls, glue, a small pic of the kid that is doing the ornament, black gel pen, silver gel pen, and scissors.
Gourd AngelsPick your gourds, wash in dish soap and bleach, let dry, about an hour. Pick which colors of acrylic paint you want to use on the dress, and skin tone for the face and you are ready to paint. When you are finished painting, set aside and let dry, I always let them dry overnight just to be sure.
Scrap Fabric WreathI made a yo-yo quilt for my mother-in-law for Christmas and had 4 bags of scrap material. I made a fabric wreath using the scraps.
Decorative Christmas CraftWe made these at a Christmas party last month and they went over so well. Any age child (or adult) can make these. You need a square of fabric 18 x 18 inches for each item. You need one roll of toilet paper per item. You need something for the top of each.
Making Ornaments from Can LidsYou can make free Christmas ornaments and other year round decorations with lids you've taken off the tops and bottoms of soup, tuna, juice, and other cans with the can opener. Just use a permanent marker to draw out a flower (or whatever) and then cut it out with tin snips.
Reuse Gift Cards For Tree DecorationsHere's a fun and cute way to use those gift cards given from retail stores. We all receive them in so many themes and characters that are so pretty. Just use a hole punch in one corner and hang them from your tree as decoration.
Recycled Magazine Christmas TreeUsing an old magazine and some tea bag envelopes, you can make a very unique Christmas decoration.
Tatted SnowflakeTatting pattern booklets are available in the craft sections of stores. This snowflake is a simple one.
Sparkle SnowmanMy husband made this snowman for his holiday potluck at work. Everyone loved it. It was much harder than a regular sparkleball, but still doable. We just used an old hat and scarf that we had around the house but you could really decorate it up if you wanted to.
Holiday WreathThis takes a wire coat hanger, and a box of 25 of the thinner gallon size plastic bags (not Zip-loc)
Juice Can Lid Christmas MagnetsCute, quick and frugal gifts or decorations! The magnets are used canning jar lids and smaller ones are from frozen OJ concentrate can ends. Base coat white or brown and paint faces.
Homemade Texas OrnamentsHere are two easy homemade ornaments. The snowman was made from a shotgun shell. Empty of course. It has a little felt cowboy hat that was purchased.
Lace HeartsCut lace about 14 inches, then fold over and sew a seam to slip a piece of 4 inch pipe cleaner in it. Make sure the lace is gathered. Then glue 2 red hearts in the center. I bought mine at a Dollar store.
Themed Trees for Your Loved OneMaybe not every year, but as a special surprise, prepare a themed tree for your husband, partner, or child. One year, I made a Star Wars tree for my husband. I took a white plastic tree from the Dollar store, and decorated it with purple and blue lights.
Candy Decorated Christmas TreesTry these as an alternative to making an entire gingerbread house. My school's PTA had this as one of the crafts this weekend and it was a big hit with all the kids.
Handmade Christmas Ornaments for GiftsWhen I decorate for Christmas, I like to make gifts. This year I want to make diamond shaped fabric ornaments with a lovely lace border.
Artificial SnowI was looking for a way to jazz up some Christmas decorations, etc. and found this quick, easy artificial snow recipe.
Popsicle Stick Picture FramesI make picture frames out of Popsicle sticks that are absolutely beautiful. I paint the sticks then decorate further with glitter or stickers.
Craft Projects You Can Make Out Of Your Christmas CardsI would like to see pictures of things done (for Christmas) out of old Christmas Cards!
Hang Apples For Holiday DecorationTie a length of nice holiday ribbon to apple stems and suspend them from the ceiling or in an archway or doorway from thumbtacks. Make sure though, that they hang higher than the tallest person's head, who lives with you or visits, so they don't get bumped!
How To Cut Paper Snowflakes?How do you cut paper snowflakes? Here are tips from the ThriftyFun community. Post your own techniques here.
Making Fancy Shower Curtain HooksYou know those pricey matching shower hooks to match the pricey shower curtain you bought? Well I finally found my "snowflake" shower curtain for Christmas.
Cinnamon Applesauce Christmas OrnamentsWhen making long lasting, nicely scented Christmas decorations with the kids, mix white school glue and lots of cinnamon (until you get a doughy consistency).
Paper Napkin Craft - Three WaysI know it might seem a little early for Christmas projects, but I thought I would post this one early. Here are three different ideas using the same beverage sized napkin.
Christmas Ornaments From Curtain RingsAn old curtain ring made into a Christmas decor. First I washed them then let them dry (alternatively painted them) then sketch a design on it with glue and sprinkled with glittering dusts.
Decorated Pumpkins and SquashI purchased my pumpkins and squash in early October. After Thanksgiving I converted them to Christmas decorations with a little spray paint and wire rimmed ribbon.
Reindeer Basket For ChristmasMeasure around rim of basket; add 1/2 inch. Cut a length of 1 1/4 inch ribbon to the determined mesurement. Glue ribbon around the basket rim, overlapping ends back. Glue reindeer head to back of basket at rim. Glue 1 reindeer front leg to each side of basket at rim.
Jigsaw Puzzle OrnamentsThese two photos show ornaments that are much different than the green and red ones I made in 1992. After writing the directions for these, I decided to make some more. I assembled a 550 piece puzzle and sprayed it gold.
Free Christmas Trees - Make Your OwnFree Christmas Trees - Make Your Own. Trees don't have to be the traditional pine tree. Be creative and inventive. Almost anything can become a tree of sorts and the more unusual the better. It will bring back floods of memories for years to come
Reusing Baby Mobiles As Christmas OrnamentsReusing Baby Mobiles As Christmas Ornaments. Each of my baby girls had their own infant/crib mobile. When the baby outgrew her infant/crib mobile, I took the mobile apart and made Christmas tree ornaments out of the pieces by attaching some silk holly and a pretty ribbon.
Cinnamon Applesauce Christmas OrnamentsThis is a very simple recipe and one that you will really enjoy!
