Decorating Your Tree On A Budget

Every few years our family tends to have some type of "natural" theme to our Christmas tree.  This year it seems to be pine cones.  They look like they belong in our tree.   :)  Maybe God knew what He was doing!  I found a bowl of pine cones this morning and our tree looked a little bare.  Some of the pine cones had been dipped in glitter, others were just plain, but they were the perfect finishing touch to this year's tree, not to mention that they are very inexpensive if not FREE!

A few years back, my children were making crafts in order to earn money for Christmas.  We took shells which we had purchased from the dollar store and brushed a little glue on them. Then we hot glued a gold ribbon loop and voile!  we had a very tropical looking tree.  (In addition we had an open house and the children sold many of their ornaments.)

Candy canes can also be a nice filler, especially if you have a childhood themed tree.  When my children were younger we also strung popcorn and cranberries.

The point is, that if you look around you, there are all kinds of beautiful things to bring in and decorate not only your tree, but your entire home.  If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you aren't seeing much beauty, maybe your beholder needs to get a renewed outlook!

Leave ideas you might have about inexpensive and unusual holiday decorations in the comment section.

Daily Deals - 11/27/10

Now that Thanksgiving and Black Friday are over, it's time to turn our attention to Christmas.  For those of you who are like me and enjoy a real Christmas tree, you can head on over to Home Depot.  They have trees starting at on.y $17.98!!  I also enjoy cutting my own tree, but for some reason it always costs more to cut down your own tree.  Go figure, huh?

Shop Small - Shop Locally

As a followup of my previous blog Doubling Your Giving, I have decided to write about shopping locally. Due to the struggling economy, small businesses have really taken a hit.  They can not afford to offer the deals that larger companies run this time of year.  However, here's somethings to consider when shopping small and locally.  1)  You are giving back to the economic health of your community.  2)  You'll find things that you won't find anywhere else.  3)  Your gifts could prove to be more thoughtful, because of the unique items you are able to snag.  4)  You could actually spend LESS because your gift is so unusual that it's thought outweighs the prices of those "must have" Christmas items.

Here are some vendors I am personally aware of:

Etc., inc.  is a new store with a "mall" of individual local vendors.  From coach purses to locally designed designer tee shirts, you're sure to find something special.

Here's a cool gadget for drilling holes into your Christmas tree.  You pop this baby on your drill and then you don't have to twist those screws into your tree forever and ever.  Maybe if you contact him on his facebook page he could ship this product to your home in time for your tree!  :)

In addition my friend Megan makes beautiful original jewelry.  You can look at her products and "like
 her facebook page  at Just 4 Me Jewelry.  You can triple your giving here.  Many times she gives a good deal of her profit to charity!  So you're buying a gift #1.  You're prospering a small business #2.  You're giving to charity #3!  What an investment!!

Lastly, I have a dear friend who is working on raising money to send her husband to Haiti on a missions trip.  She is an excellent baker and is selling baked goods and candy as a fundraiser.  Here's a link where you can find out more...My Friend.