We have entered the time of year where just about every place you go to is decorated for the holiday season. Sparkling lights, festive garlands, giant blow-up Santas, Christmas trees and ornaments are fun to look at for kids of all ages, from 1 to 100. However, the price of that fun certainly adds up quickly. For so many of us, money is tight year-round but especially so at Christmas time. It is my hope that this article will help give some great ideas for getting that festive atmosphere at your home for a not so festive price.

One thing that I like to do at my house is let my girls create decorations. They like to make pictures of Santa, reindeer, nativity scenes, and Christmas trees. I take their artwork and hang it on all of my kitchen cupboards. It is amazing how just a few pictures add color and fun to a room.

Another idea that kids love to do is make paper chains. I have had paper chains at my house before that stretched from the bedroom all the way down the stairs to the family room. Your kids certainly do not have to be that industrious (or maybe it was bored), but they would probably love to help you make a chain that could be draped over the stair railing or maybe tacked around the front door. Give them several different colors and they can practice making patterns or just let them have at it and make it however they like.

Chains do not have to be limited to just paper. You can pop a big batch of popcorn and string it. Use large darning needles for little fingers; they are easier to hold and the tip is not as sharp. String just popcorn or add some cranberries for color. If you string cranberries, definitely have the kids wear old clothes and work in the kitchen or a heated garage, as those little berries can stain. Stringing popcorn and cranberries is a great idea for couples whose children are too little to help or are grown up or maybe do not yet have children. Make a steaming cup of hot chocolate, lace it with an adult beverage, if you like, and sit with your honey in front of a roaring fire. You can listen to Christmas music and relax while mindless putting the strings together.

Many decorations are right in our backyard this time of year. Walk outside and pick up all of those fir boughs that have fallen from the wind. These are perfect to add a touch of Christmas to your home. Attach the boughs to a wire wreath or tie them end-to-end with florist wire to create a pine garland. The boughs also look beautiful just laying around a centerpiece, on a mantle or added to a bouquet. Not only are they festive, but also they smell wonderful inside. Perhaps you live in an apartment or in a house with no pine trees, try visiting a local park or tree farm. Both would be very appreciative of having someone else clean up some of the fallen limbs.

Inexpensive decorations are also right at the grocery store. A glass bowl filled with oranges or pomegranites looks beautiful on a table. If you are looking for a centerpiece for your holiday dinner, place small pine boughs down the center of the table with the bowl of oranges in the center. Place a few pine cones and small glass votives with tea candles amongst the boughs; and, right before your guests arrive, light the candles and your centerpiece will sparkle. Your guests will be so impressed with your creativity, and only you have to know how very little it cost.

While you are looking through your pantry for those sprinkles that you are sure you had leftover from last year, grab the bottle of whole cloves that is in there. Scented pommanders are an old, but still loved tradition this time of year. Poke the whole cloves into the rind of the orange. You can place them all over or use a pen and draw a pattern for you to follow. Another tip is to pre-poke the holes with a toothpick, then the clove slides in very easily.

These ideas are just the tip of the iceberg, there are many more to be found. Here are several great web sites with great inexpensive holiday decorating ideas:

10 Great Holiday Decorating Ideas On a Budget!
Outdoor Holiday Decorating Ideas
Holiday Decorating for Pennypinchers

Remember, holidays, especially the decorations should not be about the cost but about the memories. Have fun and go make your wallet, house and yard beautiful!

~Lynette is a wife and mom who lives in the Pacific Northwest. She is anxiously awaiting the holiday season, as it is one of her favorite times of the year.