The arrival of this Christmas season has been highly anticipated by yours truly for two years now. Travis and I have spent the last two Christmases with his family in California and though I've had a great time and they've more than gone out of their way to include me in their family, something felt like it was missing. The first time we went to California I was both ecstatic and anxious to meet my then fiance's family and celebrate Christmas with them. In all honesty though, I was desperate to be leaving my mom at Christmas time. I mean, no mom should be without her favorite child on Christmas! (ha ha ha) On top of that, I was worried about how my mom would handle not having me there on her third Christmas since my dad had died. Being the youngest of seven, I know my "growing up" (don't laugh) has been hard for my mom and that our first Christmas without each other would be tough for both of us.It was. It was different to celebrate Christmas without all the traditions I grew up with: biscuits and gravy with twisted orange slices and hot cocoa for breakfast Christmas morning, an individual serving size box of sugary cereal, fruit, nuts, yogurt, string cheese and five pennies wrapped in wax paper in my stocking, belting Christmas carols around the piano with my siblings, watching plays my nieces and nephews made-up, having a Christmas bush (for some unknown reason my dad always cut the top of the Christmas tree off to make it fit in the house) and loads of laughter. Because I grew up with all these things, it doesn't feel like Christmas without them.
This year we're staying at our home for Christmas and not only is my mom joining us, but it's our beautiful little boy's first Christmas! Hence my anticipation. Last month, however, I realized that our Christmas decorations were more than a little sparse. This just wouldn't do. I began brainstorming, budgeting and bargain shopping.
I figured we could manage to spent $100 on decorations, not including our Christmas greenery. I grew up in Oregon, so a real Christmas tree and wreath are must haves. So during the last month I took many bargain hunting trips when I needed a break from studying, "researched" Aunt Martha's archives and came up with my game plan. So, without further ado, I bring you...(drum roll)...Deck the Halls in $100 or Less!
The Outside Door
Real Wreath...................Costco.........................x1...................$15Ribbon............................The Dollar Store....... x2...................$2
Jinglebells......................The Dollar Store........x1...................$1
Berry Picks....................The Dollar Store........x2..................$2
Gold Sash.......................The Dollar Store........x1...................$1
Fake Garland.................Wal-Mart...................x1...................$5
*I already owned: Christmas lights, wire and I bought the grapevine at a garage sale this summer for $1
Total: $26
The Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree...................Rite Aid.................x1............$25Star Tree topper.................The Dollar Store..x1............$1
Kix (Garland)......................Smith's...................x1...........$1.25 (sweet sale, huh?)
Cranberries.........................Smith's...................x2...........$3
Plastic Candy Canes...........The Dollar Store...x2...........$2
Lights...................................Rite Aid..................x2...........$5
*I already owned: a few sentimental ornaments
Total: $37.25
Homemade Tree Skirt
Fabric....................Wal-Mart...........x1.............$5Gold Pleats...........Wal-Mart...........x1.............$3
Green Thread......Wal-Mart...........x1.............$1
*I already owned: a sewing machine ;o)
Total: $9
The Bookcases
Panoramic View. Oooo Ahhhh!
Close up of far left bookcase
Close up of my stocking hanging on the far right bookcase
My gingerbread houseNote: I wrapped our picture frames in brown paper and then decorated them as presents using ribbon scraps and things that I had on hand. Uber cheap and very cute. The stockings are an idea I lifted from good ol' Martha herself. She used a stocking template on old sweaters and wah-la!, beautiful stockings. The top of the bookcases are covered with extra bows from our tree and some lights I already owned. I made the gingerbread house with Melanie over Thanksgiving and I think it's my favorite decoration.
Gold Tree...........................The Dollar Store.........x2............$2
Different Gold Tree..........Smith's.........................x1.............$2
Gold Star on Present........Smith's.........................x1.............$2
Star Tree............................The Dollar Store.........x1.............$1
Big Gold Bow......................Hallmark.....................x1.............$2
Sweaters.............................D.I. (Goodwill)............x4............$10
Red Thread........................Wal-Mart....................x1.............$1
Total: $20
The Top of the Piano
Gold Tree...........................The Dollar Store.........x2............$2
Different Gold Tree..........Smith's.........................x1.............$2
Gold Star on Present........Smith's.........................x1.............$2
Star Tree............................The Dollar Store.........x1.............$1
Big Gold Bow......................Hallmark.....................x1.............$2
Sweaters.............................D.I. (Goodwill)............x4............$10
Red Thread........................Wal-Mart....................x1.............$1
Total: $20
The Top of the Piano
Note: I wanted to put something here that we could light up and highlight the beautiful picture of Christ that our friend, Tom, gave us for a wedding present. I don't own a creche and haven't finished the nativity wall quilt that I started when I was 16, so this is what I did to highlight the real reason for the season. When the candles are lit, the bulbs inside the jars sparkle and really draw your attention to the picture of Christ. I love it!Old Glass Bulbs................... D.I. (Goodwill)..........x4...........$2
Gold Ornament Tree..........Family Dollar............x1............$5
Candles.................................The Dollar Store.......x8............$8
Canning Jars........................D.I. (Goodwill)..........x4............$1
Gold Sash.............................The Dollar Store.......x1............$1
Table Runner......................The Dollar Store.......x1............$1
Ribbon..................................The Dollar Store.......x1............$1
*I already owned: a few regular size canning jars
Total: $19
Christmas Card Display
Picture frame..............D.I. (Goodwill).........x1............$2Ribbbon.......................Michael's...................x1............$3
Gold Glitter Spray......Wal-Mart.................x1............$3
*I already owned: a hot glue gun
Total: $8
Table Centerpiece
Picture frame...................D.I. (Goodwill)............x1.............$1Feather Boa......................JoAnn's........................x1.............$7
(I don't think the boa should count since I'm just waiting
for an excuse to wear it out on the town.)
Red Picture Frame..........JoAnn's.......................x1.............$2
8x10 Photo.......................Costco..........................x1.............$1
*I already owned: green craft paint and paintbrushes
Total: $11
Grand Total: $130.25
Total without Greenery: $90.25
Yippee! I came in under budget! I think you'll agree with me that our house looks festive and darling (smile and nod). But it wouldn't be complete without the giggles and squeals that Ethan fills our house with. This year, not only do I get to spend Christmas at home with my mom, but I get to enjoy it as a mom. That's enough to make all my days merry and bright.
P.S. I gave up trying to get all formatting to line up. Sorry!
