Posted on: 20th December 2023 in Finance
Like other styles and trends, Christmas decorations have evolved and changed over time.
Those of us of a certain age will undoubtedly remember the staple holiday décor of decades past. Foil decorations draped from every corner of the ceiling, lights illuminating the room with a warm, multicoloured glow and tinsel – lots of tinsel.
Sure, it was tacky. But it somehow added to the magic of Christmas.
In 2023, festive decorations have become chic, and the colour pallets more refined.
It’s not just the style that has changed. The cost of decorating your home at Christmas has soared.
A report found that between 2002 and 2022, the price of baubles increased by 52% from £5.45 to £9.30. Wreaths saw a 48% jump in cost, from £17.55 to £28.74.
Meanwhile, data from Statista revealed that 35% of respondents will spend more than £150 on Christmas decorations this year.
But adding a touch of festive cheer this holiday season doesn’t have to be expensive.
So, whether you are on a budget or want to add a personal touch, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get creative because we have some of the best DIY festive decorations to help you infuse your home with a dash of festive spirit.
But before you break out the fabric, paint and glue, let’s kick things off by looking at the cost of Christmas.
Based on data from World Remit, Canada spends the most globally on Christmas. The North American country spends $395 on food, $445 on decorations and $946 on gifts.
Don’t worry if those facts didn’t dazzle your loved ones. Your homemade decorations are sure to get people talking this festive season. Let’s look at what you need to get started.
You will need some general craft supplies to get started. What you need exactly will depend on what you are making.
You may already have a lot of the supplies needed to get started, especially if you have children.
Most of these are simple supplies that you can get from your local craft shop or online. Here are some of the things you may need:
Do you have some festive cookie cutters and spare ribbons? You can use a piece of twine to hang the cookie cutters along a length of long ribbon to create a festive garland.
A wreath is a staple Christmas decoration that is easy to make. Gather some pine cones, crab apples, holly and other ideas from the garden and get started.
To get inspired and learn how to make your own, check out these 14 Christmas wreath ideas.
When it comes to Christmas tree decorations, there are endless choices for what you put on top.
Whether it’s the classic star or an angle, why not make your own to add a personal touch to your tree.
This guide from Hobby Craft shows you how to make an angel and the items you need. Or, to make a star to sit on top of your tree, check out this guide to make a DIY star Christmas tree topper.
With marbling, you can turn plain, cheap baubles into the perfect Christmas ornaments. This guide from Sugar and Charm will show you how.
Alternatively, make fillable baubles. They are easy to make and add a great personal touch to your tree décor. This guide from Hobby Craft will show you what you need and how to make them.
You can also use any leftover ribbon to make decorative bows for the tree.
You have worked hard to prepare the Christmas meal, so let your guests know what is on the menu.
There are different ways to create a festive menu, but a simple blackboard with traditional chalk or chalk paint can look clean and stylish. Frame with some fairy lights to add a little extra sparkle.
Moving away from the tree and over to the table, let’s talk centrepieces.
Your time and creativity are the only limitations when making your own. Check out these 45 DIY Christmas centrepieces to get some ideas and learn how to make your own.
Use a ribbon to wrap your front door and create a welcoming display this festive season.
Creating this is simple. Cross two lengths of ribbon across the door, one full-length piece vertically and one smaller piece horizontally. You can secure the ribbon to your door with drawing pins.
Light things up outside by making your own illuminating gift boxes. These are relatively straightforward to make and really add some festive cheer.
You can read this guide to learn how to make your own glowing gift boxes. They use a bulb here, but you could use battery-operated fairy lights instead.
You can turn your children’s favourite characters into tree decorations by cutting some coloured felt, glueing it together and adding googly eyes.
Paper decorations are as budget-friendly as things come. But with some imagination, you can turn them into something special.
Paper chains are a great way to create the perfect holiday mantel. You can try either plain card or take things a little further and use decorative card to create some unique patterns.
Alternatively, create paper snowflakes. If you’re not sure how, check out this guide. If you want to make a Christmas paper lantern, you can find out how by clicking here.
As the holiday season winds down, it’s time to look at ways to properly store your Christmas decorations. That way, they will be organised and ready for next year.
Organise and sort your decorations by type, colour, etc. and store them accordingly. Label everything to ensure they are a lot easier to find the following year.
Store everything in clear, resealable bags or boxes. This will keep them safe and organised and make them easy to find next Christmas.
Wrapping delicate items such as baubles in bubble wrap can also help protect them from being broken. Alternatively, buy an ornament storage box for extra protection.
Avoid tangled lights by cutting the side off a cardboard box and looping them around it. Taking five minutes to wrap your lights around some card could save you from a lot of frustration next year.
If you have a spare hamper, repurpose it to store all your soft items, such as holiday table ornaments and tinsel.
Wrap your tree in clingfilm to ensure it stays clean and protected over the coming months. Alternatively, you could purchase a tree storage bag.
It should go without saying this tip only applies to artificial trees. If you have a real tree, you will need to make sure it is disposed of once the holidays are over.
Crafting handmade Christmas decorations will add a unique personal touch to your home this festive season. Plus, it’s a fun activity that you can do as a family.
Don’t forget to tag us on social media and show us your festive creations.
And remember to check out our 8 tips to win every game of Monopoly this Christmas to give yourself the edge when the board games come out.
In the meantime, from everyone at Holborn Assets, we wish you a Merry Christmas.
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