Save $$ This Christmas Season

The Christmas season is full of Joy, Giving, Family, Love....
and tons of shopping for overpriced items. 

How in the world can we save money for Christmas? 

Well, "Joy to the World," there are solutions!

________________________________________________________________

Free Decorations

Look for branches, pine cones and acorns laying around in your yard to use for Christmas decor. 

Branches: hang stockings or ornaments from them, spray with glitter paint

Pinecones: centerpiece accents, ornaments, dip in paint or spray paint, vase fillers

Acorns: ornament decor, vase fillers

Dollar Store Decorations

Buy cheap items and "snaz-it-up" into Christmas decor. 

Personalized stockings: allow everyone to decorate their own stocking.

Garlands: add fabric, lace, or other material to a string of christmas lights.

Accents: paint cheap items (such as fake fruit or plain candles) with glitter, beads, or spray paint.

Paper snowflakes: make your own paper snowflakes and hang over window.

Homemade Gifts

Everything from food, to spa, to decorations.

Go to my Pinterest pages for recipes:
http://pinterest.com/cklovelace0911/gift-giving-ideas-birthdays/

http://pinterest.com/cklovelace0911/winter-christmas-new-year-valentine-s/

Peppermint hot fudge, Andes mint bark, chocolate covered pretzel sticks, peppermint foot scrub, John Deere cookie mix, chocolate chip oatmeal gingerbread mix, homemade bubble bath, homemade vanilla, gingerbread caramels, and more.

        

       

DIY Gift Ideas

Everything from stocking stuffers to gifts for friends and extended family members.

Go to my Pinterest page for instructions and links:

http://pinterest.com/cklovelace0911/gift-giving-ideas-birthdays/

Coffee cup koozie, cookbook wrapped in dish towels, sewing kit egg crate, tea wreath, vintage tea cups made into candles, cupcake party supplies, bookmarks, oven mitt filled with baking ingredients, candles rolled in word stamps, spa/manicure kit, oven mitt filled with kitchen supplies, clever soap dispenser tags, "We whisk you a Merry Kiss-mas" gift, painted coasters, and more. 

Christmas Sales: 50-90% OFF

The best time to shop for Christmas decor and gifts is AFTER Christmas! Seriously, you will find stuff (even toys/gifts) somewhere between 50-90% off. 

Considering getting a new Christmas tree, lights for the house, or decor? 

Are you going to host a party next Christmas for friends or family? 

Not only will you get all your stuff super cheap AFTER Christmas, 

but you also won't have to do last-minute shopping for overpriced items or deal with crazy Christmas shopping crowds when time gets closer.... and you will have a less stressful Christmas season next year!

Cheap Gift Wrapping

Of course, you can go to the dollar store and get cheap gift wrap. 

But there are many ways to wrap gifts creatively with stuff you already have. 

Newspaper, magazine pages, comic strips, brown bags, burlap, 

fabric, old sweater material, towels, music sheets, tissue paper, and more.

Organization Tips

There are many things that will make your next year's Christmas season much easier and less stressful. It's the little things that make a big difference.

Go to my Pinterest page to see more "Life Hacks" and organization tips: http://pinterest.com/cklovelace0911/life-hacks-tips/

Ribbon organization in basket with holes, kleenex box attached to empty box to put used kleenex's into, hot glue plastic cups to board for ornament organization, put ornaments into egg crates for organization, put panty hose over a vacuum to catch little objects you can't find, toilet paper rolls to keep wrapping paper from unrolling, put iPhone in bowl for louder music, eat a marshmellow if your throat hurts, add wire to side of closet or storage wall to keep wrapping paper organized, and more.