Welcome to the first day of the Beautiful Christmas (on a budget) series!
I’m delighted to be joining Kaley, Katie and Traci as we spend the week exploring different ways to make Christmas beautiful, without breaking the bank!
I’m sure I’m not the only one whose breath is taken away by the holiday decorations… Haven’t you noticed how colors just POP! this time of year?
When else do oranges look so… Orange!?
It seems like Mother Nature’s abundance shines in anticipation of December 25th. And for many of us, there is the magical awe when we bring the outside into our homes… and even better, it FREE!
In one hike we were able to find almost everything we needed to decorate. We looked for diversity – in color, shapes and textures.
Once we had our materials, we simply experimented with different combinations: some pine greens here, winter berry there… No exact science, just a willingness to see what worked.
An old candle holder was transformed into an advent wreath with white pine branches and red berries…
A festive door swag made with a few branches of greens plus a star (made from sticks I found in the yard)…
Even simple things like pine cones and greens from a pine tree transformed our kitchen shelves…
Our whole house is decorated and we didn’t need to spend a penny. We just took advantage of what Nature was offering us anyway!
In case you missed them, here are a few more Christmas goodies!
- a simple tutorial on how to make a bow
- free Christmas Graphics to dress up your blog for the holidays!
- beautiful gift wrapping for just pennies
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I swear to you that I can actually smell the freshness of your nature’s bounty.
I totally agree!!
I was smelling pines while looking at every picture! Just beautiful!!
thanks guys! I love the smells of Christmas too~
Thanks so much for sharing. I just posted about this today. I grabbed the button for the weekly posts and put it on my blog.
I love that wreath with the berries!!
Love this, Sharon! So beautiful.
Hi, thanks for sharing your great and frugal ideas for decorating.. My son and I actually made a star like yours this weekend. I needed a topper for my tree and refused to go buy anything.
I KNOW! My head spins when I see how much the shops charge for crafts that we can make ourselves (so simply!). Looks like we’re two peas in a pod. Good thinking Debbie!
Love this! I think we’re all in the same boat with trying to spend less (or nothing) while trying to decorate our homes for the season. I can’t wait to try the star project after we go pick out a tree (unfortunately no pine boughs grow around here…we have to import them). I’ve seen them for a long time and have begged myself to try some, but I think I’m finally getting brave.
I did something quite similar with cranberries this morning. I put mine in a hurricane lame and LOVE the effect. Cranberries were already in stock at my house so it cost me nada! Another thing I tried yesterday was I got ivory pillar candles, painted them with Mod Podge and rolled them in Epsom salts. They look all snowy and sooo wintery. Total cost, $3 for the candles at the dollar store. Way to fun. I’m going to snatch a pic when I light them and put it on the blog.
Now that I’ve written a novel, I’ll sign off with a grande “Thank You” for your ideas. You’re so creative!
Cool Jamie! I bet your creative snowy candles look beautiful. Be sure to share them on Friday when we have the chance to link up!
(and just in case you were wondering we got over a foot of snow today. Brrrr!)
Hi Sharon-
BEAUTIFUL and the best part free and from nature! I don’t have any pine trees, but my neighbor has a huge one right next door that I “shop” from. A little goes a long way. Did you get lots of snow today?
My best- Diane
Yeah for neighbors! We’ve got some great ones too.
{by the way, I got your note and just haven’t had the chance to tackle it yet. But I will!}
Your house looks like it’s from a magazine. I need to go on a hike with Bradley and find some red berries.
Aw Shucks! Thanks Katie.
We won’t be hiking any time soon… there is over a foot of fresh snow on the ground! Yikes, how’d that happen?!
Sharon, nice to meet you! Love your natural Christmas decor. I always go in the woods too & clip a few branches to bring inside this time of year. Your home looks so pretty and festive with just a few touches. It says Merry Christmas in an understated but beautiful way!
Sharon, everything is beautiful!
I am in need of some fresh greens in my home. I love the look and smell of them…and they are free! You can’t beat it! My mom always decorated with magnolia leaves at Christmas time, but I don’t have a magnolia tree. I might see if any of my friends do.
blessings!
Traci
Ah Magnolia! The truest form of Southern Hospitality… Sounds like your mom was an incredible lady. I’ll look forward to rejoicing with her one day!
Love natural, woodsey and rustic! I may just have to put together a twig star for my mantle. Would be a nice touch to my pine cones, greenery and rustic items.
I love the beauty nature has to offer us, esp at Christmas time. I made garland & a wreath for the front of our home, from the “scraps” at a local tree stand on base. To dress it up, we found HUGE pinecones at the end of our street & also on our neighbors yard. Inside, I have the mantle & piano decorated w/more “scraps” & mini pinecones we collected in NY. Sharon, your decorations are beautiful
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