Research published by Statista shows that 35% of UK consumers are spending less during Christmas this year compared to previous years. The reason? The pandemic has had a direct impact on our finances. If you’re one of those impacted by coronavirus, you might be looking for ways to reduce your spending this holiday season. Homemade Christmas decorations are an easy way to do it.
While you might still be shopping for presents, you won’t be able to host large dinner parties or have many visitors this year. Rather than spending lots of money on decorations nobody will see, why not focus on handmade décor inspired by your own family and traditions?
Make your own tree ornaments
Can’t spend the holidays with some of your loved ones because of the lockdown? You can create homemade Christmas decorations to bring them a little closer.
Look for 5x7cm photo frames at your local Poundshop or other discount stores. Add little festive bows, tiny flat ornaments or other décor to make them ‘Christmassy’. Then add photos of people you’ll miss this Christmas. Add a piece of ribbon on the back and hang them on the tree.
You can also decoupage ornaments using small rubber balls and colourful tissue paper. Or simply hand paint the names of loved ones on plain red, green or gold tree ornaments.
Decorate tables with double-purpose items
Forget elaborate (and expensive) table wreaths. To save money, combine a few items into your own unique table setting.
Take candy canes or lollies, wrap them with a Christmas ribbon and add some greenery. Drop them into a small container and set several of these around the table. You now have homemade Christmas decorations that you can actually eat after dinner.
Or tie together a big bunch of fresh greenery with a bow, set on a plate and place a chunky red candle on it. You now have soft light and Christmas décor at all once.
Let the kids join in to make homemade Christmas decorations
You can create homemade Christmas decorations using just a few items. Why not get the kids to help you make festive snowmen?
Fill about a third of a white sock with rice, then use a hairband, rubber band or piece of string to tie up the sock just above the filling. Do it again two more times to end up with a 3-piece snowman. Use felt or pieces of fabric to create eyes and mouth, and add a couple of cotton balls to the bottom section as feet.
If you live near a park or forest, take a short holiday walk with the kids (and the dog!) and pick up pinecones. They can be easily painted with acrylic paints, hung on the tree or set on the table or mantelpiece.
Homemade Christmas decorations for grown-ups
You can make any homemade Christmas decoration look more ‘grown-up’ by adding tons of greenery around it. Instead of spending money on a fake garland, pick up small pine branches from the park or your garden and add them around decorations and handmade items.
