Decorating for Christmas is fun, exciting, and gets all those in the home in the holiday mood. Here are some fantastic tips and ideas on how to decorate the family tree using store bought items and photos.
Christmas Memory Tree
There is no better way to remember years past and present, than to decorate a tree using ornaments that have been passed down and pictures.
Multiple websites, such as picture ornaments, offer ornament options for Christmas decorating. However, there are ways to create picture ornament decorations at home, using:
- A hole puncher
- Some holiday glitter colors
- Glue
- Double sided scotch tape
- Scissors
- Christmas ribbon
- Holiday colored (red and green) heavy duty stock paper
- Family photos
The easiest way to create family picture ornaments is:
- Decide what photo's to use.
- Cut the photos into circles, ovals, or other shapes (if desired, if not, leave them as is)
- Place the cut or uncut photo's on the colored stock paper, and trace at least a one inch border around the picture.
- Put the picture to the side, and cut the stock paper along the traced line.
- If desired, spread some glue around the edges or between the edge of the paper and picture, then sprinkle glitter onto the glue. Shake access glitter off onto a piece of scrap paper, and let the glitter and glue dry for a few minutes before placing photo onto the paper (this step is optional).
- Place 4 pieces (about 1 inch) of double sided scotch tape on the back of the picture.
- Place picture onto the stock paper.
- Punch a hole, using the hole puncher, about half an inch above the picture.
- Cut a 4-6 inch piece of ribbon, loop through the hole, and double knot on top.
- Hang the picture ornament on the tree.
This is a very versatile decorating idea. If families want to get real creative, go online or to a craft store and find some templates of Christmas figures (such as reindeer, Santa, snowmen). Trace and cut those figures, and place single face photo's onto them. Also, instead of buying all the extra items, simply find photos, punch holes in the corner, string and tie the ribbon, and decorate.
Store Bought Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
Store decorations can be extremely pricey, but if decorating is kept simple it will not bust the family's budget. Here are some tips for inexpensive Christmas tree decorating ideas.
- Buy non-breakable ornaments in bulk. Some stores, such as Target, carry sets of 12 non-breakable Christmas balls in a long tube for $1 or $2. Other stores have sets of 40 non-breakable items in packs for less than $20.
- Use ribbons as tree toppers. Wreath bows, and tree top ribbons tend to be less expensive than stars and angels. If able, buy actual ribbon and make a bow. Use the rest of the ribbon to hang down the Christmas tree.
- Take stock of ornaments at home. Before buying more ornaments, go through all the ornaments at home. Then determine what is needed, and shop wisely.
- Use mini Christmas stockings as decorations, and place candy canes inside or on the outside of the stocking. These are not very expensive, and paired with candy canes and Christmas lights are cute and festive.
- Look for themed ornaments in bulk. If doing a theme tree, buying individual ornaments can be expensive. Do some research, and look for less expensive theme ornaments that are sold in pairs or more.
- Shop the sales. When ornaments are marked down 40% or more, they tend to be in the $2-$5 range. This is a good time to buy, but the best time is obviously after the holidays when the markdown will be 75% in most stores.
Have a Merry Christmas Season, and create some Christmas memories.
Allison Brown - My name is Allison. I have a degree in History and Political Science from Chaminade University, located on the beautiful Hawaiian island ...
