Christmas Decorations Tips

Christmas Decorating with Tunes

When it comes time to pull out the Christmas tree and all of the Christmas tree decorations, do it on a day when you've got lots of time. Spending some quiet time decorating the house can be enjoyable, as long as you're not rushed. If you're lucky enough to catch some time alone in the house for a while, pull out the wreath, the fiber optic garland and all of your Christmas tree decorations and get to work.

If you're lucky enough to have a pre lit Christmas tree, you won't have to spend as much time decorating it. They're beautiful on their own or with minimal decorations. Take some time to find just the right spot for your fiber optic garland and wreath. The spirit of the season tends to take hold after a respite from the manic shopping sprees, baking marathons and party overload. So, take it easy, and spend some alone time, just you and the Christmas tree decorations.

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The First Christmas

Remember how tight money was when you were first married? It's hard enough getting started with your first apartment and everything else that comes with being on your own for the first time.

Think back to last year. Was there anything extra in your Christmas tree decorations that you could stand to get rid of? Are you overloaded with Christmas tree decorations you no longer use? If so, consider creating a package for that college student in your life or the newly-married neighbors. Grab a wreath, some garland, Christmas bulbs, tinsel, maybe even a few mini LED Xmas trees and tie it all up with a ribbon. Recycling your old, but still in good condition, decorations by giving them to friends and family is a great way to help someone out.

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A New Use for That Christmas CD

Kids love to do crafts, especially around the holiday season. When it comes time to decorate the Christmas trees in your home, let the kids decorate their own tree with their own homemade decorations. Take a look around the house, in your car, or even in your office, and round up as many old scratched CD's as you can find. Can't find any? You can buy a spindle of 50 CDs for around $20. Clear a space on the floor or on a large table, covering it with plastic or newspaper to protect your furniture. You'll also need a container of non-toxic glue (big enough to dip the CDs into), and a number of containers filled with craft glitter. Using a large set of tweezers, have the kids dip a CD into the glue, being careful to cover both sides equally. Then, before the glue dries, let the kids choose the glitter color they want to use and dip the CD into it, being careful to coat both sides. Thread some string or yarn through the center hole and hang to dry. Presto! Instant Christmas tree decorations.

Of course, you don't have to stop there. Use your imagination to come up with all sorts of new and innovative Christmas tree decorating ideas. Forget stringing popcorn and cranberries! That's old school. This year, get into some new and exciting crafts and really jazz up that Xmas tree.

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A Change of Scenery Without Spending a Dime

It's human nature to ease into routines. Christmas time is no different. There's a certain place you place your Christmas tree, a notch on the wall where you hang your wreath, and shelves that you clear off every year to make room for your scented Christmas candles. Sound like you? Sometimes it isn't a new set of Christmas decorations we need, sometimes we just need a change of scenery!

This year, purposely avoid decorating the way you have in the past. Ask a friend for suggestions, or look at magazines to get new ideas for Christmas decorating. Maybe instead of lining up your candy cane scented candles this year, you'll center them on your dining room table, and instead of draping that gold rope of garland over the mantel, you'll twist it around your new dining room centerpiece for a new look.

Don't be afraid to exercise a little creativity and try something new with something old. If all of your past Christmas trees have looked exactly alike, consider leaving something off of the tree this year. Instead of displaying your Christmas cards on the television stand, cut them up into a Christmas collage and hang it on the wall. Mix it up a bit. You don't need to spend a dime to spruce up your holiday décor.

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Swap - Don't Scrap - Those Christmas Decorations

Tired of looking at the same old Christmas tree decorations year after year? When you've had enough of your Christmas tree decorations, consider having friends over for a decoration swap. Give your friends a call and ask them if they have any ornaments (even garland, a wreath or mini Xmas trees) that they don't want anymore. Make some specialty coffee or hot chocolate and invite your friends over. The more friends involved the better! Think back to when you were a kid trading one toy for another, or lunch bag desserts for something that looked so much better. It's the same idea, except now you're trading Christmas tree decorations.

Not only is it a great way to get a new look for Christmas, it's the perfect way to relax with friends just before the craziness of the holiday season sets in. The next time you're out visiting your friends, you might not even recognize your old ornaments in their new home. Just don't ask for them back.

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Organizing Your Christmas Decorations

Admit it, you love to walk up and down the aisles looking at all of the Christmas tree displays. Maybe you stopped in to purchase a Christmas wreath and wound up buying half of the store. With so many beautiful and affordable Christmas tree decorations on the market, it's hard to resist the temptation. Before you know it, you've got more decorations than house. It's great to have variety and the option of changing your holiday décor year to year! Last year, you were into burgundy bows and white Christmas lights, and the year before it was navy blue Christmas bulbs with silver garland. As you build your collection of Christmas decorations, take care to organize them in a way that makes it easy to find when the next holiday season rolls around.

Practically all large department and/or home hardware stores sell a multitude of storage options. Look for durable and heavy plastic containers that have different compartments or at least enough room to store your Christmas tree decorations without squishing them.

Organize each box using all of the decorations you would use for that particular theme and make sure to write in permanent marker (on the side of the box where it's clearly visible) exactly what is in the container, including the colors and objects (i.e. a wreath, beaded garland, tinsel, etc.).

Next year, instead of having to sift through a pile of mismatched Christmas decorations, you'll only have to pull your desired theme off the shelf.

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Christmas Is for the Dogs ... and Cats

We sure do love our pets so why do we forget about them during the Christmas holidays? Sure we might buy them a squeaky toy or some cat or dog treats, but what about setting up their own little Christmas trees? Think about it. What could be better than giving the cat his own tree to bat around with his little paws? For as little as $20 or $30 dollars, you can buy a two foot Christmas tree completely pre-lit. For safety purposes, make sure there are no loose bulbs or anything the animal could ingest. To decorate the Christmas tree, stay away from anything like tinsel or glass. Remember, the Christmas tree is for the pet to enjoy, not for your friends to admire. Purchase toy mice and string them up by the tails! Your cat will have a blast swatting them off the tree. For your dog, purchase chewable dog bones, or noisy toys that they can take from the Christmas tree. Just remember, the tree probably isn't going to stay standing for long, but even if you get an hour's worth of laughter watching your pet enjoy himself, it'll be worth it the time and effort.

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The Unexpected Gift

It's 7 p.m., the sun has set, and there's a nice fire glowing in the fireplace. Suddenly the doorbell rings. You wonder who it is. After all, you weren't expecting company. You peer through the slats of the mini-blinds before opening the door. Hey! It's your fourth cousin twice removed with his wife and three kids. And what's this? They brought gifts. With a smile pasted across your face, you invite them into your home, wondering all the while if there are any Halloween candy left over you could package up quickly and give them as a gift.

This Christmas, don't be stranded without a few extra gifts for those unexpected visitors that seem to come out of nowhere during the holidays. There's always someone you forgot and while it isn't the end of the world if they don't get a gift, it would be a nice gesture.

There's your child's school teacher, bus driver, or a neighbor who watches your home while you're away. The gift doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive. It could be a miniature wreath or a pack of fiber optic, battery-operated mini Christmas trees. The point is to have something that's not gender-specific on hand, wrapped and ready to go at a moment's notice.

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