Creating a warm, inviting and beautifully decorated home for the holidays is pretty high on most of our to do lists but most of us don’t have the endless buying power needed to create those gorgeous, right out of our favorite shelter magazine, holiday home images. So how can we create endless glamour and elegance this season, even with our tight budgets? It’s simple you just need to: Take Inventory, Be Crafty, Think Multi-Purpose, Be Creative and Shop Smart.

1. Take Inventory and Ask: Before you spend a dime on holiday decor look around your home, you probably have holiday decor, dinnerware and linens you had forgotten about. Anything you can reuse or re-purpose will contribute to a more festive holiday event without the heavy price tag usually associated with holiday decorating and entertaining. Ask your relatives if they have ornaments or decor they no longer use and is collecting dust - they will be happy to pass the heirlooms on early and free their storage space up at the same time
2. Be Crafty : Instead of spending hundreds on mini-ice sculptures make your own. Buy fabric remnants and use them instead of pricey pre-finished table linens. Build your own holiday topiary that’s edible (instructions in Friday’s installment) ! Spray paint inexpensive Dollar store baskets gold or silver and fill them with pine-cones, evergreen tree trimmings and other seasonal decor.
3. Think Multi-Purpose: Buy holiday decor and accessories that can be used at events year round. Choose table clothes and napkins in neutral colors with classical patterns (no holiday specific motifs), candle holders in gold, brushed silver or other “neutral” metallics, table runners with a hint of sparkle and dinnerware in ivory, white, red or navy with gold or silver trim.
4. Be Creative: Upgrade inexpensive pillar candles by hot-gluing pearl and metallic beads and satin ribbons. Create interesting table place cards using seasonal holiday cards (and make sure to personalize them with a special note inside (see #7 on list)). Dust off that old soup Christmas motif soup tureen your Aunt gifted you and turn it into a one-of-a-kind vessel for your floral center piece. Save the money you would spend on a floral centerpiece and create one that will have your guests giddy with excitement: a gift box pyramid and after desert your guests can retrieve their party favor. Don’t throw away that holey Frosty the Snowman sweater, use it to recover some pillows, or to create an eco-friendly gift wrap.
5. Shop Smart: Plan your holiday decorating budget, know what you need and be prepared to take advantage of smart buys. Buy next year’s ornaments, decor, dinnerware,linens and accessories at after holiday sales where you can find great bargains up to 75% off of retail prices. This is also a good time to stock up on next year’s gifts for friends and family - just don’t forget where you stashed the presents Consider eBay, thrift stores and yard sales - they are always great places to find holiday items at great prices.

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