Affordable Christmas Gift And Decoration Ideas

How To Spend Less On Decorating!

2012-11-29T04:16:00.000-08:00

I suppose this is easier said then done but there is no need to go out and spend $80 to $150 on a whole new set of lights, ornaments, and yard decorations. You can make some of these or even buy stuff from the Dollar store or a thrift shop.

I've heard many blogs comment saying it is a good idea to visit thrift stores after the holidays because that is when people are throwing stuff out! Why not? If it still looks good I say use it. The last 3 years I have bought little things here and there for decorating but have never spent anymore then $40.00 on decorations. This year I didn't spend much either because I bought everything from the Dollar store.

The good part to is once you buy something you can reuse it many times or even in other projects so it is not an entire waste! my video below this post shows an idea of using stuff from the Dollar stuff.

Check out Do It On A Dime's Channel Here! This is one of my newly fav channels and this is a really good video that gives you a good idea of what you can buy cheap! She even shows you what she did with this decorations :) Even though some dollar store items are low quality there are ways to get around that sometimes to make it look a bit nicer. Hope you enjoyed my post! I will be posting my Christmas tour video soon!

Easy to make Christmas baulb vase!

2012-11-25T09:17:00.002-08:00

The materials used to make this decoration was cheap, about $5.00. I figured I would share, I thought it looked alright! Hope you all enjoy!

Once I edit my other videos I will be posting a video of my main table centerpiece and a tour video of my home and how it is decorated! Stay tuned and feel free to comment :)

Christmas Almost Here Again!

2012-11-15T07:39:00.004-08:00

I sadly took a long break from this blog after last Christmas season but hope to post to it more often this Christmas season. Last year I had a "Reusing Christmas Card Series" I am not sure of my final plans for this blog but I am thinking of homemade Christmas decorations for the tree along with some I already have of course.

I have not started decorating or Christmas shopping yet! So if I get off work early tonight I might stop in to our local dollar store and take a peek at their items, or I might wait and do it tomorrow, I am not sure yet!

Anyhow stay tuned I will be slowly actively posting again and I might even make some videos. :)

Another Christmas Season Over

2011-12-28T06:02:00.000-08:00

Well it is 3 days after Christmas. By now I am sure trees are coming down and the home is becoming less stressful for some, others are probably still eating left over turkey or ham.

I had a really good Christmas, nice gifts and money. I hope others had a wonderful Christmas too.

I won't be taking my tree down until New Years day or so, because that is what my family did growing up.

I just wanted everyone to know that with Christmas over this blog won't be getting as much attention for the time being. I am hoping to start another blog on Valentine's Day :)

Anyhow seeing that New Years is almost here, I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!

And thank you for all the people that read my blog and left a comment.

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Making a Bookmark

2011-12-22T03:28:00.000-08:00

A homemade bookmark would be a good stocking stuffer for the reader on your list. You could also choose to accompany it with a book you may purchase for someone.

You Will Need:
- Paper or Bristol Board
- Scissors
- Cards
- Glue

I am not writing steps for this because you can add what you want to your bookmark.

This is how mine looks:

I used a spare piece of red bristol board and cut out pictures small from cards, most pieces on the bookmark are from bigger cards I had already used.

I simply cut and made sure it fit and then used glue to stick it on.

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Recipe Card

2011-12-22T03:23:00.000-08:00

You will be using the back of a card (backside of picture part), and writing a recipe on back. If you don't want to write it out, you could always type it and print it off, just make sure it fits the card.

You Will Need:
- Old Card
- Scissors
- Pen
- A Recipe

Before you do the project make sure to find a recipe, Christmas related to put on the back.

Step 1) Cut the card in half, you will be using the backside of the card with the picture.

Step 2) Write out recipe on back of card.

You can choose to deliver this gift any way you want. I think it looks nice poking from a stocking! :)

5 Days Until Christmas!

2011-12-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

Well to be exact 5 days and 9 hours. Holy moly I cannot believe how fast it is approaching and it looks like in Nova Scotia we won't be seeing any snow. Right now there is a couple spots with a dusting of snow but I still can see the grass!

I have had a lot of people tell me this year that they just want Christmas to be done and over with because of stress... Or they don't feel it. Well you can feel the cold outside but there is no snow.

This week coming I have a lot of days off and the next week even more! This is good because of the break feel but bad as I will have some shitty pays. So sadly my Christmas shopping has to be fully finished now.

I hope everyone out there is ready for the holidays :)

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Making a centerpiece using old cards

2011-12-15T10:49:00.000-08:00

I think this would be a good project to do with kids. You will be using cards to create a scene of sorts which could used as a center piece or decoration on a stand.

You Will Need:
- Blank White Paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Cards

Step 1) Carefully go through your cards to make your scene.

Step 2) Cut what you will be using

Step 3) Fold and glue onto paper. The actual picture should be sitting up

Finished product looks sort of strange in a way. However, you have to remember this is intended for kids!

There is only 2 more post to go in this series, so stay tuned. The last two post are great gift ideas! :)

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Make a Christmas Collage/Picture

2011-12-13T13:14:00.000-08:00

I don't think this post needs a list of steps because a collage is all about imagination.

What you will need:
- Bristol Board or Cardboard
- Lots of cards
- Scissors
- Glue

All I did was cut a small piece of bristol board and cut some pictures to make my collage. I didn't go to crazy. So to me it looks more like a picture I suppose. Anyways it is short, sweet and easy!

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Hanging Decoration

2011-12-08T07:02:00.000-08:00

This is a great way to recycle old cards. You can create something to hang by your tree, above the stockings or anywhere else.

You will need:
- String or ribbon
- Scissors
- Christmas cards
- Scotch tape or tacks
- hole punch

Step 1) Cut out the pictures going on your hanging decoration.

Step 2) Hole punch each picture.

Step 3) Cut the string or ribbon you will be using. Any length will do.

Step 4) String the pictures through the ribbon or string.

Step 5) Use tacks or tape to hang up your creation.

You probably can't see the tacks but I used tacks and just placed it in front of the tree. I thought it turned out kind of nice for something that didn't even take 15 minutes to put together and none of it cost anything. The ribbon was from 2 years ago and the cards were old and I have lots of tacks, so free, quick and easy :)

Little Decoration Idea With Dollar Store Stuff

2011-12-07T19:16:00.001-08:00

I wasn't suppose to buy anything for decorating this year but I bought a few things from the dollar store. I browsed the Christmas isle for a long time trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I didn't want to spend money on lots of stuff or anything.

Today I happened to do a lot of cleaning and got my first 2 Christmas cards I received out with my decoration.

So this is what I bought:

You can probably notice the $2.00 tag on the basket from the dollarama. So I choose this basket because I liked it and a box of wrapped present decorations.

This was the result:
Very simple, I just put all the little wrapped gifts in the basket. I don't know why but I thought it looked cute and it was simple and cheap. I don't think it even cost $4.00.

And here is the start of decorating other then my tree:

The space is very limited and that is my boyfriends bookshelf by his desk. Last year there was no dinosaur or sword on that shelf but there is now. So he told me I could put the cards infront of the sword. It doesn't look the best but its a start and I like the little basket with gifts.

Anyhow Just a thought to throw out there for people not wanting to spend big bucks on decorations some are worth while from a dollar store.

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Activity to do with young children, make a winter scene story

2011-12-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

This would be a good activity to do with your kids on a stormy day. You will be using pictures from old Christmas cards to make a scene or story.

You will need:
- Old Christmas cards
- Construction paper or blank paper
- Scissors
- Glue Stick

Step 1) You will be choosing a piece of construction paper for your background or use white plain paper.

Step 2) Select the cards you want to use and cut the piece off the cards you need.

Step 3) Before gluing, sit the pieces of the card on the paper to decide how it will look. Use crayons or colored pencils to add to the scene or story.

Step 4) Glue the pictures where they need to go.

My picture example is suppose to tell a story. The story is what kids did a winter day. If you can't make it out this is what the pictures say

"In the morn we made snowmen"
"In the afternoon we watched the robin sing"
"In the evening we wore our new winter suits and sung carols."

This is my attempt oh how I would make mine if I was a kid. Remember it is a good activity to do with kids so let them be creative and have fun.

My Christmas Trees Over The Past 5 Years

2011-12-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

I was looked at old pictures earlier today that show my trees over the last 5 years since I have been on my own, I wanted to share them all here.

This is my Christmas tree from 2007. I never bought any decorations just the tree which is fake. My boyfriend had a box of stuff from the 80s and 90s so we used that.

I honestly do not like this tree very much because of the bows and red tinsel (What was I thinking?)

But oh well we didn't have much to work with as far as decorating goes!

This is the tree from 2008. I didn't add any garland just beads I think and silver tinsel. I really liked how this one turned out it looked much more Christmas like :)

This tree is very much like the one from 2008. This is the 2009 tree and I did add garland to this one. You will notice its pretty much the same as the other tree minus garland.

This is my tree from 2010. Many of the same decorations as the others. This was a very empty tree as you will notice it does have a few newer decorations on it.

And my newest tree. This is new as the other one had to be tossed because it was falling apart. This one is 3 feet but in its own way looks cute.

Very random post but I felt like posting my trees :)

Not So Expensive Stocking Stuffers For Kids

2011-12-05T08:58:00.000-08:00

Just a list I had in my head about cheap stocking stuffers that are easy to find and great for kids!

You know when I grew up I never once had a overflowing stocking. The most items I migt of seen were 6 things. Normally me and sister would get an orange or apple, small candle, mittens or socks, chocolate, a card with money and a scratch ticket. We never got that every year but those were the gift ideas.

Now here are some ideas that can fit into a stocking for kids.

- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste with an animated character
- Mittens
- Scarf
- Socks
- Small box of chocolates, candy bar, tube M&Ms, etc
- Crayons
- Activity flip book
- Deck Of Cards
- Hot Chocolate Mix
- School Supplies/Craft Supplies
- Small Plush
- CD
-DVD
- Gift Card
- Bubble Gum
- Card With Money
- Trading Cards
- Jump Rope

This is just to name a few. Now before you start thinking things are expensive on the list only a few would be. During the year stores knock down prices on games, movies, DVDs, etc... So do your shopping when those sales are going on.

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Making a simple ornament for your tree

2011-12-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

This is probably one of the easiest craft ideas out there. I have seen people do it before so I am going to write about it today. It doesn't matter what type of Christmas card you use as long as you are ok with cutting it.

In this activity you will be cutting the card, a picture from that card that will be a hanging decoration for your tree.

You will need:
- An old Christmas card
- Scissors
- Yarn or Sewing needle
- Thread

Step 1) Cut out the picture that will be used for your ornament (No picture for this, I somehow manged to delete it. Sorry!)

Step 2) Thread your needle and then carefully use the needle to make a small hole through the top of the picture.

Step 3) Once the thread is through, cut the needle free and tie a double knot. (No picture for this either apparently. Anyways it is easy enough to tie a knot)

I put it on the tree, I figured since it is homemade it has to go on there. You may notice to the left a Santa hanging card piece to, I found my boyfriends initials on that from 1996! So he must of made it in school :)

Stay tuned for the next post which will appear on Tuesday, December 6th!

My tree is up and some gifts bought!

2011-11-30T11:08:00.001-08:00

I wanted to share a picture of my Christmas tree, I decorated it last night :)

My old tree was nice because it was over 4 feet and bushy enough for my liking. However it was falling apart. So instead of getting the same tree I wanted to try something different. This tree was at Zellers for $9.99, 3 feet. You can tell by the picture it is small but that is ok.

Seeing as it is tiny I covered a box with one of my fleeces and sat it there so its off the floor. The little plate it front is from the Dollerama, I thought it was cute so it got it for our first Christmas. Every year I have put the plate out. You may not notice but there is a small wreath under the tree as well.

I have no garland because we have a cat now, so I placed red beads around the tree and a small set of lights. The tree has no theme really so you will notice a lot of decorations, mostly bulbs. I have at least 5 bells on there, a stocking in front, a snowman, angle in the back, wreath and candy canes. Some of the decorations are old from the 80s! lol

I never really theme my trees and just decorate them any old way.

I did most of my shopping and wrapping very shockingly! Anyways this is my closet in the bedroom, you can see some gifts piled in there. The ones on the vary bottom are for my family and the ones on top are for my boyfriend and a few for me, the cat and our roommate.

I still plan on picking up a few more stocking stuffers and little things, but I am waiting for the next flyer to see if there will be anything worth buying.

I love Christmas, and I am glad I got things wrapped the day I bought them! Now my boyfriend has no idea what could possibly be in there for him :)

Christmas Card Series - Using cards to make gift tags

2011-11-29T16:12:00.000-08:00

This is very easy to do and a great way to save money on gift tags. All you do is take a Christmas card and cut whatever part of it off/out that you want to be your tag.

You will need:
- Old Christmas card
- Scissors
- Hole Punch
- Ribbon or String

Step 1) Cut out the picture you want off of the card for your gift tag.

Step 2) Hole punch if your going to be tying it with string or bow. An optional step is to tape it and write (To and From) on the front of the picture.

Step 3) Write who the gift is going to

Step 4) If you are tying the card with ribbon do this or like I stated tape.

And that is it, you have a homemade gift tag. All it Involves is some cutting really and figuring out how it is going on the present.

Reusing Christmas Card Series

2011-11-29T16:10:00.000-08:00

Over the years the amount of Christmas cards can really add up. So in this little series I want to start, it is going to be about reusing your Christmas cards for other things around Christmas.

I will do a post every Tuesday and Thursday about my ideas for what you can do. So my final post for this series will be Thursday December 22nd 2011.

In each post I will explain what you need to do and have pictures so you can see how my work turned out.

Please feel free to leave comments and share these ideas with friends and family :)

Christmas Crafts For Your Kids

2011-11-23T05:43:00.000-08:00

I enjoy browsing various videos from youtube that show how to do different Christmas crafts. So I wanted to share a few I saw today and enjoyed. As well these are crafts that can be done with your kids.

Glittery Paper Snowflakes

3 Simple And Fun Christmas Crafts For Kids

Christmas Crafts for Preschool Kids

Christmas Crafts for Children | Christmas Tree Project by Cullen's Abc's

What I hate about flyer shopping

2011-11-23T04:10:00.000-08:00

Once in a while when I am going through a flyer at Christmas I noticed that one week they will have something on sale, and a week or 2 later that item will go on sale for cheaper. Sometimes I get this gut wrenching feeling because I didn't get the item for cheaper, but doesn't that seem silly?

I think I mostly find it to be an annoyance though. And as the years pass I come to expect each week to have something great for a deal but seeing items go on sale for cheaper always sucks.

I titled this post flyer shopping, though I guess I am not really shopping. I am just browsing the flyer prices. This year my thought is changing though on all of this because I want my shopping done at least a week or 2 before Christmas. I mentioned the shopping crowds in my last post and frankly, I don't do well around huge crowds of people... So it seems like the best thing to do.

Hopefully I won't be a last minute shopper this year!

2011-11-21T12:41:00.000-08:00

Every year I have a bad habit of waiting last minute to buy Christmas gifts. I suppose it really doesn't matter when you do it, but it seems the later you wait the busier the stores get with bigger crowds. I do got some Christmas shopping done but I still have a ways to go yet.

The other day I was feeling quite blue so I decided to get off my butt and go to my local Pharmasave. Now you are probably thinking "Why a Pharamsave? What could they possibly sell for Christmas?" I am a flyer shopper, I look at the weekly flyers
usually 2 times to see what is on sale. This week I needed hairspray and I noticed they had Christmas cards 50% off, so I thought "Why not go there!"

Here is the Christmas stuff I picked up:

This week they had Christmas cards 50% off and the Neilson chocolates .79 cents a box! I ended up buying peel and stick tags for the gifts because there is 125 there in total, so I thought that was a decent amount. The marshmallow snowmen and Reese trees are stocking stuffer's.

I know what I am getting for a couple people but I have been waiting for the items to go on sale, however this year I think I would be impressed with myself if the shopping was all done by December 20th or earlier.

It is hard to do because each year a circumstance or change in a buying situation always puts me behind. But here is to hoping this year is better. I know this post has really no meaning with the blog being about affordable gifts and decorations, but I will be posting about myself and what I am doing this year from time to time :)

I'm back!

2011-11-20T18:10:00.001-08:00

Well I have not wrote anything on this blog for a whole year, well over a year. Anyhow seeing as the Christmas season is fast approaching, I might as well write to this blog instead of making a new one. I think I forgot about this blog last year (2010) so I never wrote anything.

My goal is to find some more interesting youtube videos to do with Christmas, share gift ideas and just update everyone on what I have been up to.

Tomorrow I will try and post something new to the blog. :)

A Very Homemade Christmas Card

2009-12-15T19:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry for being so late with posting today. Today has been a busy day for me, however my tree is not up but it might be later. Anyways for today I am going to post pictures of a card I made, its homemade. So I will write this sort of as a “How To” but I know most people will already know how to do this.

What You Need:

- Construction Paper
- Glue Stick
- Scissors
- Old Wrapping Paper
- Old Christmas Cards

Basically what I did was recycled some Christmas cards and old wrapping paper into a new card. Now I never actually used old cards, I prefer keeping mine, so I bought 2 boxes for a buck a piece... Anyways I am still using them to make cards.

To do its very simple. First take a peice of construction paper and fold it in half, this will be the card we are working with.

Next you want to look your cards over and decide what will be cut from cards or wrapping paper to be glued onto your homemade card.

All you really will be doing is using old cards to make a new one. You can decide what to write if anything...

This is a picture of the first card I made so far
Very simple and creative, both pictures are used from 2 different cards! This is a good craft to do with the kids or if you tight on money then why not!

Affordable Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

2009-12-14T08:29:00.000-08:00

One way to make gifts more budget friendly this year is to make stuff. There is nothing wrong with homemade gifts. Depending on what you make you could end up spending less! :)

I found this video on youtube, very nice nice and easy idea!

Christmas Gift Giving Ideas- Home Made Gifts--Cute Christmas Crafts

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If you like to bake you could also try this holiday treat:

Hershey Kisses & Hugs Christmas Holiday Treats

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Great Christmas Decorationing Ideas

2009-12-12T01:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas is so fun when it comes to decorating, one of my favorite parts is decorating the tree. I don't go crazy since I really don't have the money to and I live in an apartment. Every year I usually decorate the tree, put a few things underneath and put out my candle set on the table. Beyond that I don't add much touch. This year I would like to experiment and add a few more things though.

Once I actually finish getting this room cleaned up better the tree will go up!, until then though no tree. I will include pictures once its ready and up as well :)
I was searching youtube some more and found more cool videos that I am going to share.

I really liked this first video a lot, it seems like a very nice idea. Its pretty and very Christmas themed

Christmas Decorating tips

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Well this is something you seen in tons of stores but it might look ok around the home to :)

Cheap and Creative Xmas Deco / Christmas Decoration

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