Monday, December 8, 2008

Christmas Decorating on a Budget!

First off, if your wondering what happened with the giveaway..........well, I decided to hold off on it until January, I really am sorry. I had only gotten like 4 comments on it in two days so I thought maybe if I waited until after the holidays people might be more interested.

I've been trying to get my house decorated for Christmas on a really tight budget. I used to babysit my niece which gave me some fun money, but they fired me. Not really, my brother n' law (their dad) just watches her now. So..............no fun money for me!!!



I think this is the first year I've really decorated all that much for Christmas because all my decorations from previous years fit in a Luv's diaper box. I REALLY wanted a big beautiful mantle garland like the Nesters or Kimba's but this just isn't the year. So here is what mine looks like!

I used a lot of ribbon this year to try and make things look more like Christmas. I decided the garland needed a little something more so today I picked up some curly looking twig stuff from Walmart and added it. (Ya like how I never know the real name for things)

Here it is after the curly twig stuff, I though it helped!

And the other side of the mantle. Now, if this were my dream decorating job, I would put some vinyl lettering of that said And the stockings were hung.................... And then hang my stockings below with some cute little hooks, but I'm a slacker and we don't have any stockings. I've just never found any that I really loved, I probably just need to make some.

Here is my nativity scene that my parents gave me. They gave me a few pieces at a time over a couple birthday's and Christmases. I really do love it. I found the background at our local craft store for like nine dollars.




And here is the Christmas tree. The decorations used to be a little more strategically placed, but my almost two year old likes to do a little decorating of his own.


These are a couple of my favorite ornaments that I bought last year from a store called Rod Works.



I'm loving looking at every one's Holiday decorations! I'll be back later to show the rest!








35 comments:

Tiffany said...

I think your home looks great! I've decided that for next year I'm going to make us a set of stockings just like these from Ballard Designs http://www.ballarddesigns.com/Accessories/Christmas/Stockings-Tree-Skirts/Personalized-Ballard-Christmas-Stockings-Dot/p/820?path=1%2C2%2C1558%2C2335%2C2342&iProductID=820

I love the polka dots.

Merry Christmas!

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

Everything looks great. I love the way the ribbon is tied around the pillar candles. And, I'm totlaly loving the Willow Tree nativity. My brother and I bought my mom the set over the course of a few holidays. It's a classic.

Tausha said...

I love the sata ornament. I love it! i think that I would have bought more than one! i am really bad like that. when i really like something, I tend to buy more than one!!!
No giveaway! Crappy! I was hoping that I would have a chance since there was 225 comments!! Dang! My birthday is in January-does that score me extra points?
I was like you with the garland. I have no extra cash-none! But I wanted a great big cool wreath. SO i went throught the house and robben stuff from other places and got out my trusty wire cutters and went to work.
The trick is to layer. Layer with things that you never thought would work in a garland. They do! I cut up greanery-all kinds. I pulled some twigs out the wreaths-I even have a few fake artichokes stuck in there. It cost me 0 dollars. If you want more info-let me know. You can have the big bushy garland yet. (if you want too, and i hope I am not stepping on your toes in any way. I was just being a butt ining ish.)
have a great monday!!!!!

V and Co. said...

oh it's all cute, we have sort of the same taste! so of course i'm going to love it!

Unknown said...

I love your nativity scene I mention to my sister over the weekend that I was wanting that same one! Everything looks great!

Anonymous said...

Your home looks great! Is that the Willow Tree Nativity Set? Hope you have a great day!

Heather said...

I have been dreaming of your Nativity Scene for years now! Maybe one day soon it will be in our budget.

Becky said...

Everything looks so pretty. I LOVE your nativity!

Jo-Anne said...

Very pretty, Nicole!

Sarah said...

Your decorations look great! I really like the addition of the curly stuff...very cute!

{lauren} said...

I think all of your decorations look wonderful! The curly things do add a lot to the garland. Your nativity is beautiful too..I love Willow Tree! I love the ornaments you showed too:) Thanks for sharing everything! Have a great night! <3Lauren

Pam said...

The mantle looks great! I love all your decor, can't wait to see the rest!
Pam

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Hi Nicole,

I LOVE your nativity scene! I would love to have one of those! I have several of the willow tree angels and my mom has lots of them! The nativity scene is gorgeous! I also love that little snowman ornament! Thanks for sharing your Christmas photos...everything looks great!

Tammy

Beth at Aunties said...

Thanks for your sweet comments. I am glad you have a son with a heart like mine does.
Nicole your mantle looks beautiful! The twiggy stuff added jsut the right touch. Kimba's and nester's is extraordianry and kimba bought stuff all year long. I decided this might be the eyar I try something diiffeent also with our mantle but haven't had the time:) You tree looks beautiful and my daughter and I have some great stuff at Iron Works.
I can see why you love your Willow nativity set. Nativity's are my favorites.
Thanks again for all your support. We don't ahve another wedding now until the 20th of Dec. when My sis who lives with us has her cute daughter getting married:-)! This is a crazy year!


Beth~♥

Beth at Aunties said...

I think I need to go back to school, have spell check or maybe I will just go to bed. The spelling was horrid in my comment:D
Your mantle really is lovely!

Nicol said...

I totally understand about the garland on the mantle. This is my first year to have a mantle and I was super excited to make something for it. You can see my garland on my blog.

After Christmas last year, Michaels had all of their Christmas things at 90% off and I purchase about $800 worth of stuff, for $80. Totally worth it for great decorations.

Zarebski said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jeni said...

Yea you are back in blogland :-)

Everything looks so pretty....I really like that curly twiggy stuff on your mantle.

I have the same nativity....LOVE IT!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Your house looks great - I'm still working, but hopefully will finish today! Anyone with little ones has trees that are undecorated the bottom 3 feet!

Shannon said...

It all looks so cute! I love your mantel garland! You are so crafty I bet you will make really cute stockings.

Melissa said...

Nicole, I think it all looks great~I love the nativity set, and that's the most important thing about Christmas, right?
The twiggy stuff is perfect as well~
Melissa

Trixi said...

Oh, how cute. I love your mantel. I also love that you let your little one help with the tree. I do that too. It doesn't look perfect but it is perfect knowing that they got to help.

Joanna said...

I think that it all looks wonderful. The garland looks great!

Unknown said...

Your Christmas pictures are so beautiful! You did a great job! The ribbon around the candles are great!

Lisa Cobler said...

Everything looks beautiful. I love your tree and Nativity.

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Everything looks so nice! Your mantel is just great. Loving the ribbons on the candles and the wreath!

Sherri said...

Is that plastic under your tree?

We still don't have our tree up!

Mimi Sue said...

I think your house is looking very festive. We gave the #1 daughter the very same nativity over a couple of years. I love it. I worked at the nativity thing at the Tabernacle and stood in front of that quilt you posted. We have a lot in common. If you will send me your email address I will send you the info on the home tour next Tues. Mimi

WheresMyAngels said...

So cute.I wish my place looked as good as yours.

I'm glad you are waiting to do the contest later. I have been out some and forgot about it and I'll be sure to post about it on my blog since it is so fabulous!

Mimi Sue said...

OK duh, mimisue52@gmail.com.

Lorina said...

Wow.. you have great decorations! I am still collecting great decorations! haha..


That nativity is the one I want.. I love that collection.

Amie said...

Looks good to me! Hey, I BlogHer'ed into you, just wanted to mention that we're like twins: I am a scrapbooking, house cleaning, book reading, piano playing, church going stay at home mom of three wonderful children and have been married to my wonderful hubby for over 10 years. Merry Christms. =)

Our Complete Family said...

I tihnk it all looks great! The mantle turned out lovely!
Your nativty is so pretty. I've been eyeballing that one for awhile now!
Merry December hun~ Les

Erika said...

I really LOVE that nativity!

Georgia Girl said...

I love all your decor! Love the mantel...I just wish I had a mantel.