Many people are feeling the pinch this year and looking for ways to save money over the Christmas holidays. Fortunately, just because you’re watching the pennies, you don’t have to miss out on the joy of decorating your home for the festive period.
There are lots of ways you can create a magical home this Christmas. With a little imagination, creativity, and even upcycling items you already have, you can add some festive charm to your home without blowing the budget.
Follow our purse-friendly design and inspirational ideas this year for easy updates that are on a budget, but look amazing.
Christmas all wrapped up
Now that you have your gifts sorted, it’s time to think about environmentally friendly gift wrap!
Creating your own wrapping paper can add a personalised touch to presents this year and is a great way to get the whole family involved in the Christmas spirit! There are lots of resources available online from YouTube to Pinterest to help you get started.
We love the authentic look of brown paper packages, which you can recreate using the paper padding from stores like Amazon, its one of the most simple, stylish, eco-friendly and cheap Christmas decor ideas going. You could even use old scarves or material you have collect, which can then be reused again and again.
Top tip: Make sure to save any gift bags, boxes, tissue paper and ribbon throughout the year for next Christmas.
Decorate with foliage
The first Christmas decorations on a budget weren’t shiny, plastic baubles or tinsell, but were made from nature brought inside. Not only is this idea easy on the wallet, but it’s also simple and fun to make.
The beauty of decorating with natural items is the versatility, the greens, browns, tans, oranges and reds of these items work together seamlessly. Collect any fallen branches, pine cones and green foliage, then head to your kitchen to find some cinnamon sticks or oranges which can be used to pull the look together.
Top tip: Foraging will be your best friend for a frugal Christmas centrepiece on any hallway or table this season.
Recycle those tin cans
If you have tins out for recycling, grab a few before they are collected as they can make great festive lanterns.
Fill each tin with water and put them in the freezer until frozen solid. Next, use a hammer and nail to pierce the outside of each tin and form a festive shape, like a heart or a Christmas tree – the ice, will stop the cans denting! Once the ice has melted, put a tealight in the bottom, and group them together on your mantelpiece.
Create unique garlands
If you are looking to decorate your tree with something other than tinsel, but don’t have the budget for garland, why not make your own?
You can string together anything from popcorn to pine cones. Why not give your Christmas a vintage spin by upcycling old silk scarves or handkerchiefs you don’t use anymore. All you need to do is knot them together, and before you can say jingle bells, you have a pretty scarf garland to drape over your mantle piece.
If you don’t have any spare handkerchiefs or scarves at home, you might be able to pick some up from a local charity shop.
Upcycle Jam jars
If you have empty jam jars, you can easily jazz them up for Christmas by dipping them into glitter or paint. Just tape off a section at the bottom of the jar, cover it with glue and dip it into the glitter. Once it’s all dry, remove the tape, fill it with sand, and add a candle.
You can also add some extra festive cheer with some twine or ribbon.
Edible treats
Rather than spending money buying new decorations for your table, cut costs by baking treats! Shortcake or gingerbread biscuits make great treats for the tree.
Top Tip: Make a hole in the top of the shape before you bake and biscuits, so you can thread through some ribbon to hang on the tree.
Decorate the rest of the table with other edible treats. Line a central table runner with greenery, piled high with stacks of seasonal fruits, such as pomegranates, apples and berries, that will look wonderfully festive and smell delicious too.
Decorate in style
Make the most of every surface to style a spectacular Christmas display.
Use seasonal fruits to dress side tables, sideboards and even mantels to create a beautiful warm display, on a budget. Glass vases filled with pomegranates are an easy decor detail that requires minimal effort for maximum style.
Children love Christmas, so helping to make decorations is guaranteed to be fun. Paper snowflakes are beautiful and simple to make. You can create beautiful designs using a simple piece of paper and a pair of scissors – in less than 5 minutes!
This classic craft never gets old and is a very inexpensive way to add some winter cheer to any room.
Swap decorations
Gather your unused decorations, and trade them with your family and friends. Chances are they’ll be happy to have “new” decorations without spending on brand-new items.
A holiday swap party can make things extra fun. You can even invite your loved ones over and create DIY décor together.
The holidays are always a special time of the year, but part of what makes it so magical is the people that we get to spend it with and the traditions that live on.
If you are struggling this Christmas please reach out to your loved ones and know that you are not alone. Please visit our cost of the living post which details some of the help that is available https://gowringsversamobility.co.uk/blog/money-saving-tips-for-people-living-with-disabilities/
From everyone at GowringsVersa Mobility we want to wish you a very happy Christmas and new year
If you are looking for a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle, GowringsVersa Mobility offers a wide range of vehicles. For more information, contact us any time at 0345 608 8020 or contact us online.
