Decorating on a dime in no time

Shimmering glitter, shinny ornaments, dark evergreens and bright lights are just a few festive indicators that the most wonderful time of year has yet again arrived.

However, as many Americans struggle to make ends meet in today's economy, some consider holiday decorating a frivolous and unnecessary means of spending money as well as a time-consuming chore.

But without these constant jovial reminders of the season, what would the holidays be?

With a little effort and creativity, decorating can be the most beloved ritual of the holiday season without breaking your bank.

Learn how to create the perfect dcor that represents individual style in a time-well spent manner.

__Pick a theme and stick to it__

Lyette Strange, co-owner of High Street Station in Jackson, said people should begin the decorating process by considering their own style and ways to incorporate it within their decor.

"I would say a theme goes a long way," she said. "If you plan it out ahead of time it helps you save time and money."

Botanical or woodland, Strange said, has been a popular running theme the past few years. It consists of mixing Christmas with nature by using pieces such as dead limbs, dried hydrangea blossoms, birds' nests and burlap to name a few -- much of which can be collected right from the yard.

"It doesn't have to be expensive," she said. "It's so easy to run outside, grab some limbs, and it's great. ... It looks like the forest brought into your house a little bit."

She suggests arranging limbs in a tall vase and hanging a few ornaments. For the tree, she said hanging three or four medium-sized rustic, metal lanterns along with placing birds' nests, simple white lights and wrapping it with bundled burlap.

"It is very simple, not a lot going on," she said. "It looks really elegant."

Another plus and time-saver of the botanical theme, Strange said, is that it can stay up through January or February if decorated on a mantle or in an entryway.

__It's what you have, not what you buy__

Roll up those sleeves and go through the attic or basement for old items that might be packed away and forgotten, said Kathryn Landewee, owner of Knaup Floral in Cape Girardeau.

"Some of the things in the back of the attic have more character than newer things," she said. By cleaning, straightening up and adding to an old item, people can easily build a decoration focal point.

"A lot of time people have cherished items," she said. "They can put them out and draw from those colors."

Landewee said adding loose greenery, ribbons, pine silk or berries are simple and easy ways to enhance the look of older decor.

Filling old glass containers with colorful, seasonal items such as ornaments for Christmas is another simple decorating go-to for the holidays, said Strange. By using elements from each season to fill the glass containers, they easily flow from fall into winter dcor.

"Every season, change those out to blend in with what you have going on," Strange said.

Seasonal fruits are also something that is great for filling glass decorating containers, said Landewee. Pomegranates, pears, cranberries and even nuts all offer a very nice Christmas look and feel.

Strange said an old vase, container, frame or any basic item around the house, not of sentimental value, could be painted red, green, gold or silver for a holiday makeover that will completely change the look of it.

__Creativity starts with the basics__

As for hours on end of elaborate decorating projects, forget the stress and turn to basic items that make for fun, easy projects to do with the family.

A do-it-yourself holiday shimmer candle, featured on remodelingthislife.com, offers holiday ambiance with two simple steps. Using an old candle of choice, spread mod podge on the outside of the candle with a sponge brush and then roll the candle in old pan filled with Epsom salt. Allow the salt to dry to the candle and, after lighting, enjoy a shimmery glow sure to light up any area for the holidays.

Basic, inexpensive items such as twine and burlap are great for enhancing the look of a bare window. Simplemom.net suggests stringing up twine and cutting holiday shapes such as stockings or snowflakes from burlap and pinning them to the twine.

Strange said having the children draw a holiday picture every year is also something that can be pinned up or displayed and will show how their artistic abilities change from year to year.

Also, switching out regular framed pictures for wintertime or Christmas snapshots is another easy step that makes the decorations all tie together, she said.

"Be in the moment -- make it a whole family project," she said. "Just remember, it's supposed to be fun too."

Once everything is in place, and it is time to relax with the family, Strange said the decor will help people to take pride in their surroundings.

"There's something about being creative -- your family appreciates it," she said. "The biggest thing is don't get lost or overwhelmed. Just take time to enjoy the whole process. ... When it's all said and done, you are so happy and satisfied."