A Little More Christmas

I love to decorate with pretty things, especially at Christmas. But, I don't like to spend a lot of money. While I do believe that I am creative, I am not super crafty, which means that making my own decorations, in an effort to save money, is not really an option. So, I have come up with other ways to decorate on a budget.
I decided I would share some of my tips for creating relatively inexpensive, but beautiful holiday decor with you.
Look for things in unexpected places. Last October (2011) my mom and I - and my three kids (crazy) - took a trip to Ikea. I always find great things there, at reasonable prices. But, what I wasn't expecting to find, was Christmas decorations. These two frames were $1 a piece and the prints inside came in a pack of five for $2. 

Take something you use all year and add Christmas to it.  These three black lanterns were one of my awesome Ikea finds. During most of year, they sit on my dining table, with candles and a few natural elements inside. This year, I added greenery, pine cones, and a little ribbon and put them on my fireplace hearth. 

Take advantage of after-Christmas sales. Every year, my mom and I go shopping the day after Christmas. This is when most stores, even those that sell Christmas year-round, will put all Christmas decorations at least 50 percent off. One of the places we always visit is Pottery Barn. It is one of my favorite stores. Well...mostly I just look at the catalog and get ideas, since everything is so expensive. But, I have found many wonderful items on sale the day after Christmas.
I got this vase filler - vintage stars with music notes, small silver ornaments and silver stars with glitter - several years ago. I borrowed the vases, added a little "snow", two glass bird ornaments from Target, and some greenery...instant Christmas vignette.

Have any family members with discounts? While I don't currently, several years ago both my sisters worked at Pottery Barn. I took advantage of their discounts and got these houses and several tree candles. The houses go into a large cubbie I have above my TV, which, by the way, sits empty the rest of the year because I still haven't found anything to put in it. 

This year, I put the tree candles, along with some greenery, on my dining table. I love how they contrast with my red tablecloth.

Start a collection. I collect Old World Christmas ornaments. I've always liked them and my dream - before I realized how much it would cost - was to fill my tree with them. I have been adding to this collection myself year after year, and my tree is slowing being filled. My family members also know that I collect these ornaments and have bought many of them for me. This is the ornament my mom bought for me this year. The ornament, and the message it shares, are beautiful.  

Looking forward to that day! Ultimate peace.