Creative

If you have watched any TV about fashion in the past year every expert has been selling the idea of shopping your closet. They mean to go into your closet at look at things you already own in new ways. So for the holidays I am going to suggest you shop your stash for this years holiday must haves. What do I mean? Just read on.

Color Coordinate

Don’t stress over trying to buy new pieces for the holidays. Look through the things you already own and pick items by their color. A dark green serving dish from Easter can do wonders with your Thanksgiving meal. Bring out candles that have rich warm colors and place them in glass or metal holders. Use plain white dishes if you have them. Dress them up with a seasonal napkin holder.

Do purchase fall colored leaves. You can use them with recycled Halloween pumpkins for decorations. Go out and pick up some pine cones from your yard or a nearby park. Add them to a wreath for your door. Purchase a few Christmas leaf picks that are in brown, gold, copper or burgundy. Use them to add accents to your decorations or make napkin holders.

For Christmas or other winter holidays shop through your stash for items in colors that fit the holiday. I have purchased over time a number of Christmas red plastic serving pieces that look like red glass. I use them for the July 4th parties too. Have a blue tablecloth? Use it, just add some silver tulle netting from the fabric store, get a large clear glass bowl and fill it with some of your silver ornaments and you will have a fabulous table.

Shop Cheap and Fix It Up

I love to shop at the local dollar stores for items that I can then add to or up its wow factor to fit into what I already have. Our family plays a fun game each Christmas so I went out and got a dollar Santa, then I painted him metallic gold and gave him a fine coating of glitter. Now we have our “Oscar” style santa for a trophy. Buy a dollar teddy bear and make it a fabulous outfit from scrap fabric, then tuck him on the sofa like a pillow. When you shop this way you have to look at an items shape, size and material. Then you have to say what else can I do with it? How can I make it awesome?

Thrift Chic

Local charity thrift stores are a great source of items that you can tailor to fit your holiday decorating needs, again you just have to think creatively when you shop. I recently picked up two twig style bird houses for $4.00. If I add a nest and faux bird from the craft store I can then use the houses for three holidays. Attach small flowers to the top of the house for Easter, change them to fall leaves for Thanksgiving then switch to glittery picks and a bit of faux snow for Christmas.

Living Decor

If you have a number of house plants, add ornaments and pine cones to then to dress them up for winter holidays. I even add a small string of holiday lights in some of my larger plants. Group plants and holiday decor together to create a beautiful display. For Christmas last year I took a red metal drink holder and placed my poinsettia, two small ivy plants, a small string of clear lights, a few red and white ornaments and an angel inside. I put it on the table near our front door. It was great and I didn’t spend any money.

Icon Free

Each holiday is associated with certain icons; rabbits, eggs, flags, pilgrims, etc. You do not have to fill your home with the traditional icons to show your holiday spirit. Take items you already have and just add a little seasonal flair. For example, add a collar of faux spring flowers around the neck of an animal statue you already have. Add fake snow to items for winter. Put branches in a vase instead of flowers for fall. There are many ways to celebrate the season you are in instead of the specific holiday. This is a more subtle way of decorating your home and doesn’t require a lot of storage since you are just sprucing up everyday items.

Hopefully you have gotten a tip or idea from my suggestions that you would like to try. Challenge your creativity to come up with new ways to make your holiday decorating magical.