This past weekend we threw our annual Turducken Party. For the holidays, instead of focusing on one religious celebration, we theme an entire party around a beastly bird combo of a turkey stuffed with a chicken stuffed with a duck {with a cornbread pork stuffing, but a Turduckencork would just sound weird}. I don't know about all of our guests, but I know Brit and I look forward to this party all year. I already can't wait until next year! Anyway, throwing a holiday party for a large group is never an easy thing to do. But, there are some little things you can do to make the planning easier, such as cheap decorating! I thought I'd share a few little DIY projects we've done to get our apartment in the holiday spirit.
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Cheap Photo Frame upgrade
This year, I wanted to jazz up our console table with some photos of our holiday party from years past. But I don't really have a ton of extra picture frames laying around, or at least not "jazzy" ones. I was definitely not willing to spend a lot of money on this either. Mainly because I was planning on only having the frames up during the holidays, but also because during the holidays the last thing I need to spend my money on is unnecessary picture frames.
So I purchased these cheap, silver frames from the dollar store. Gave them a little sparkle using my hot glue gun and some gems from Michael's. Within 30 minutes I had the sparkling holiday look I was gunning for!
Cost: About $15 total for 4 frames and accessorizing supplies
Time: 30 minutes total for the 2 upgraded frames.
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Santa Bottle
I saw a picture of these adorable Santa bottles on Pinterest {link here} and really wanted to try to make one. I forced myself to finish a bottle of wine {by far the hardest part of this project ;) } Using some red spray paint, along with some chalkboard paint, and Martha Stewart Hard Frost textured metallic paint for the belt, this project was easier than I could have imagined! I removed the bottle's label with some goo gone, painted it, then I pulled apart a cotton ball and hot glued some old buttons to it for the "coat". I added some bells to the top for a little more flare. While I considered making more, I just really love my lone "Santa", plus in the world I live in, there is just one Santa.
Cost: Because I had everything, free. But odds are, most people don't have all of these supplies just laying around. The spray paint is about $5 and the Martha Stewart paint was $6 {I've been using the same container for about 3 years!}. Goo Gone, $6 {if you don't have some, get some}. It's actually in the $1 bins at Target right now. Totally worth trying it out if you never have.
Time: I worked on this project for a little bit of time, waiting for the paint to dry. But including wait time, it still only took 2.5 hours. Not too bad considering the two coats had to dry for one hour.
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Tissue Paper Snowflakes
Again, super simple, easier than expected decoration that just adds a little flare. I don't know about you, but I save tissue paper {not anything from a bathroom, from a gift}. I am always extra careful when opening a gift because you never know when you can reuse the paper! Well here's one way to reuse it {and see Faux Snow below for a second way!}.
Start with three or more sheets of paper , lay them flat, and then fold them accordion style {fold 1-2 inches forward, flip and fold back, repeat, repeat, repeat.} Tie a ribbon at the center. Then cut the ends into a slight point. Spread the folds apart, then pull at each fold scrunching the tissue toward the center.
Cost: Free, free, free, free, free!
Time: About 2 minutes per flake.
*I used some glittered tissue paper, to give it an extra flare. Playing around with different colors, these could be great decorations for any party!
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Tissue Paper Faux Snow
A few years ago I purchased some faux snow from Pottery Barn. I know, I know, what a waste of money!! In my defense, we were trying to burn a gift card, and it wasn't too much of a waste because I've reused it every year. Even though it's super tempting to just take a vacuum to the little white flakes when closing down the holiday season, I always meticulously slide it back into the box for use again next year.
Well. Just to save you some time and money, here's a little secret, that faux snow that PB is selling for $15 is just ripped up and crinkled tissue paper! I took the clippings from the Tissue Paper Snowflakes from above and instead of tossing them out, I balled them up, went nutso with the scissors, and nearly doubled the supply of "snow". One small suggestion, cut the tissue over where you plan to decorate with it. That way there's not need to worry about having to move tiny little pieces of paper and getting them all over your home.
Cost: It's another freebie!
Time: About 45 seconds, depending on how skilled you are with scissors.
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The Dessert Table
So this one was my favorite, not just because I love desserts, but because it ended up looking exactly how I had envisioned it. And it was super inexpensive. I purchased a plastic reusable tablecloth {$1.99}, and a package of red and white tissue paper {$2.99}. I used two sheets of the tissue paper to divide the table up a bit, and then filled it in with all of our delicious desserts! I really loved the Christmas pennant as well {free printable for the letter and background border here}.
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Sparkling, Shimmering, Wreath
Apparently my creativity has limits. I absolutely loved this idea, but not so much this project. This was also the one I decided to put some dough into, of course. But maybe you'll have better luck than me though, so I'll share a little.
I purchased the wooden wreath form at Michael's as well as a few dozen DIY ornaments {all for 50% off, woo-hoo!!}. I did really like the idea of making my own ornaments {emphasis on did}. I just wasn't willing to dedicate as much time as I probably should have for the anticipated results. That being said, they could have looked better, but I guess I'm pretty satisfied with the results, considering.
I used gold and silver spray paint, and sprinkled a little glitter over them while they were still wet. I chose to use the same gems from the picture frame project to cover one ornament. I thought about doing more like this, but I got lazy {there's really no better reason}. Using a hot glue gun I just went to town on the wreath form. Starting on the outside boarder, I began gluing down ornaments and little bells. Then I worked my way through the interior and used small ornaments and bells to fill in the holes. I added a little tinsel to the interior {Brit's idea, he's so brilliant}, and topped it off with a big ole bow.
Cost: The wooden wreath form and ornaments only cost $10 total. Getting those ornaments at 50% off really helped save some mulah! It's also very easy to make a wreath form from a cardboard box, the only risk is ensuring it can hold the weight of whatever you're decorating it with.
Time: From start to finish, this took about 3 hours. I sprayed 8 ornaments at a time, so there was some wait time in between, which was used to add some glitter and flare to the already dried ornaments.
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Hanging Window Ornaments
And last, but definitely not least, is Brit's little DIY project. By tying ornaments to ribbon and hanging them from our curtain rod, he created this gorgeous window display. He wrapped some tinsel around the top, to hide the knots, which adds just a little more sparkle! And of course, we have our English Advent Calendars, the Queen, and Hedwig watching over us. I never claimed that we were normal, but we are happy, and that's all that matters.
Cost: Free, of course. We used some extra ornaments that we had and some cheap gift wrapping ribbon. If one had to purchase all new materials, I wouldn't spend more than $15 on this whole project. No need for expensive ornaments. When the sun shines on these guys, it's just beautiful!
Time: It took about 30 minutes for him to measure out the ribbon and tie each one. Then to hang the curtain rod back up. It's just a spring loaded rod, so very easy to take up and put down.
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So there you have it! A few ways to save a buck or two while still feeling like Christmas exploded in your home!
What have you done in your home to make it holiday ready? Do you use DIY for any Holiday planning or decorating?
Thanks for visiting!
Cheap Photo Frame upgrade
This year, I wanted to jazz up our console table with some photos of our holiday party from years past. But I don't really have a ton of extra picture frames laying around, or at least not "jazzy" ones. I was definitely not willing to spend a lot of money on this either. Mainly because I was planning on only having the frames up during the holidays, but also because during the holidays the last thing I need to spend my money on is unnecessary picture frames.
So I purchased these cheap, silver frames from the dollar store. Gave them a little sparkle using my hot glue gun and some gems from Michael's. Within 30 minutes I had the sparkling holiday look I was gunning for!
Time: 30 minutes total for the 2 upgraded frames.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Santa Bottle
I saw a picture of these adorable Santa bottles on Pinterest {link here} and really wanted to try to make one. I forced myself to finish a bottle of wine {by far the hardest part of this project ;) } Using some red spray paint, along with some chalkboard paint, and Martha Stewart Hard Frost textured metallic paint for the belt, this project was easier than I could have imagined! I removed the bottle's label with some goo gone, painted it, then I pulled apart a cotton ball and hot glued some old buttons to it for the "coat". I added some bells to the top for a little more flare. While I considered making more, I just really love my lone "Santa", plus in the world I live in, there is just one Santa.
Time: I worked on this project for a little bit of time, waiting for the paint to dry. But including wait time, it still only took 2.5 hours. Not too bad considering the two coats had to dry for one hour.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Tissue Paper Snowflakes
Again, super simple, easier than expected decoration that just adds a little flare. I don't know about you, but I save tissue paper {not anything from a bathroom, from a gift}. I am always extra careful when opening a gift because you never know when you can reuse the paper! Well here's one way to reuse it {and see Faux Snow below for a second way!}.
Start with three or more sheets of paper , lay them flat, and then fold them accordion style {fold 1-2 inches forward, flip and fold back, repeat, repeat, repeat.} Tie a ribbon at the center. Then cut the ends into a slight point. Spread the folds apart, then pull at each fold scrunching the tissue toward the center.
Time: About 2 minutes per flake.
*I used some glittered tissue paper, to give it an extra flare. Playing around with different colors, these could be great decorations for any party!
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Tissue Paper Faux Snow
A few years ago I purchased some faux snow from Pottery Barn. I know, I know, what a waste of money!! In my defense, we were trying to burn a gift card, and it wasn't too much of a waste because I've reused it every year. Even though it's super tempting to just take a vacuum to the little white flakes when closing down the holiday season, I always meticulously slide it back into the box for use again next year.
Well. Just to save you some time and money, here's a little secret, that faux snow that PB is selling for $15 is just ripped up and crinkled tissue paper! I took the clippings from the Tissue Paper Snowflakes from above and instead of tossing them out, I balled them up, went nutso with the scissors, and nearly doubled the supply of "snow". One small suggestion, cut the tissue over where you plan to decorate with it. That way there's not need to worry about having to move tiny little pieces of paper and getting them all over your home.
Time: About 45 seconds, depending on how skilled you are with scissors.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The Dessert Table
So this one was my favorite, not just because I love desserts, but because it ended up looking exactly how I had envisioned it. And it was super inexpensive. I purchased a plastic reusable tablecloth {$1.99}, and a package of red and white tissue paper {$2.99}. I used two sheets of the tissue paper to divide the table up a bit, and then filled it in with all of our delicious desserts! I really loved the Christmas pennant as well {free printable for the letter and background border here}.
 |
| {A little trick, put a bowl or mug under a platter to give it that elevated look, for free!} |
I may have overdone it with the amount of desserts, but I couldn't help myself {and it's not like leftover cookies are the worst thing ever}. Below we have Reindeer Chow, Funfetti Cake Batter Truffles, Sugar Cookies, and some Rice Krispie Treats with a little Christmas sprinkle on top. Get the Reindeer Chow and Truffle recipes here {and some recipe cards here} We set out some supplies for hot chocolate and some extra gingerbread cookies as well.
Cost: The table set up was 8 buckaroos {$1.99 + $2.99 + $2.50 (red paper for banner)}
Time: It took under 10 minutes to set up the table and about an hour to make the pennant banner. Totally worth the time, I think! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sparkling, Shimmering, Wreath
Apparently my creativity has limits. I absolutely loved this idea, but not so much this project. This was also the one I decided to put some dough into, of course. But maybe you'll have better luck than me though, so I'll share a little.
I purchased the wooden wreath form at Michael's as well as a few dozen DIY ornaments {all for 50% off, woo-hoo!!}. I did really like the idea of making my own ornaments {emphasis on did}. I just wasn't willing to dedicate as much time as I probably should have for the anticipated results. That being said, they could have looked better, but I guess I'm pretty satisfied with the results, considering.
I used gold and silver spray paint, and sprinkled a little glitter over them while they were still wet. I chose to use the same gems from the picture frame project to cover one ornament. I thought about doing more like this, but I got lazy {there's really no better reason}. Using a hot glue gun I just went to town on the wreath form. Starting on the outside boarder, I began gluing down ornaments and little bells. Then I worked my way through the interior and used small ornaments and bells to fill in the holes. I added a little tinsel to the interior {Brit's idea, he's so brilliant}, and topped it off with a big ole bow.
Time: From start to finish, this took about 3 hours. I sprayed 8 ornaments at a time, so there was some wait time in between, which was used to add some glitter and flare to the already dried ornaments.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Hanging Window Ornaments
And last, but definitely not least, is Brit's little DIY project. By tying ornaments to ribbon and hanging them from our curtain rod, he created this gorgeous window display. He wrapped some tinsel around the top, to hide the knots, which adds just a little more sparkle! And of course, we have our English Advent Calendars, the Queen, and Hedwig watching over us. I never claimed that we were normal, but we are happy, and that's all that matters.
Time: It took about 30 minutes for him to measure out the ribbon and tie each one. Then to hang the curtain rod back up. It's just a spring loaded rod, so very easy to take up and put down.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
So there you have it! A few ways to save a buck or two while still feeling like Christmas exploded in your home!
What have you done in your home to make it holiday ready? Do you use DIY for any Holiday planning or decorating?
Thanks for visiting!
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I'm obsessed with the cake batter truffles. So excited to have the recipe!!
ReplyDeleteThey're so good, right? And not too difficult to make!
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