Trimming the Tree the Frugal Way

Trimming the Tree the Frugal Way

The purchase of a tree and all the trimmings can contribute to the challenge of staying on your budget each holiday season. Some people prefer an artificial tree and some people prefer a live tree but no matter which you prefer-it must bear decorations. The frugal approach would be to purchase an artificial tree that you decorate year after year with decorations that you recycle from the past season. However, I've taken into consideration that everyone is not equipped with a full tree trimming set-up, so I have come up with some frugal tree trimming ideas for you.

Let's start with a pop quiz.

Please read the following questions, and answer truthfully and carefully:

1) Have your decorations succumbed to the attic troll? (Cousin to the garden gnome-this troll resides in your attic and loves to hide and misplace things until they are out of season.) Example-you know you have a tree stand, and after an intensive and exhausting search in late November-you concede that it's missing. Then, that Easter-you find it just where you thought you tucked it away in the first place.

2) Have some of your ornaments met the perilous “clumsy hands”? (These hands may belong to an adult, teenager, child or infant. Please be aware that “clumsy hands” is a non-discriminatory affliction.)

3) Are many of your ornaments currently boycotting your tree due to repeated ridicule in the past by other family members on the basis of their color, size, shape or theme? (You know-ornaments have rights, too.)

4) Have your pets used your tree as a recreational monument thereby sending a slew of ornaments plummeting to the ground at regular intervals? (Obedience training seemed unnecessary at the time, I'm sure.)

5) Are you just starting out in your own place and you truly believe that Charlie Brown's tree looks like a majestic redwood in comparison to your immediate holiday decor selection? (Let's face it. We all have to start somewhere.)

6) Is your house a hot spot for the “disappearing box phenomenon”? (Very similar to the Bermuda Triangle phenomenon, yet it only affects non-seafaring boxes.)

If you've answered “yes”, “maybe” or “no” to any of the questions above, then keep reading....

Ideas for frugal tree decorations:

Make your own garland! (Cranberries, Popcorn or Buttons)

Use embroidery thread, dental floss or fishing line to string your garland and let the kids help! Tips: Let the popcorn sit out and become a bit stale so it's easier to string, and you can also color it with food coloring if you like. Cranberry garland is beautiful-and don't forget to hang a bit outside on the tree for the birds to enjoy too!

Raid the sewing box and grab some colorful buttons, you can space them out and tie a knot after each button to keep them in place.

Bows and Pom Poms- You can make big bows or simple garland with wide ribbon and you can use scrap yarn to make pom poms of any size. Just slip a hook through the pom pom or fashion a loop with yarn and it's ready to hang on your tree.

Candy Canes- They come with a built-in hanger, and you can find them in a variety of colors. Just try not to eat them all before Christmas.

Foil Ornaments- Children love this project. Take a piece of thick foil and fold it into a star, square or any shape you like. Etch or decorate with permanent marker and you have a masterpiece!

Origami- If you're adventurous and have nimble fingers, why not have a go at creating some origami ornaments?

Photos- There are always a plethora of photo deals available this time of year and quick turn-around on photo developing these days. Get creative and make some homemade photo ornaments.

Christmas Cards- Christmas cards have beautiful scenery and I'm sure you have some that would make really nice embellishments for your tree.

Artificial Poinsettia Flowers- Very affordable and easy to attach to the tree with a little floral wire or ornament hook.

Glitter Construction Paper or Foam Snowflakes- A throwback to first grade. Come on, you know you want to do it. Just make sure you wipe the glitter from your face and peel the glue off of fingers before you go out on the town.

Glitter Pine Cones- Just take a trip outside, gather a few small pine cones and take them on a trip to Sparkle City. The squirrels won't even miss them, because-as we all know-squirrels have never been influenced by glitz and glam.

So...now you have no excuses left. Go turn up the holiday music and decorate that tree!