• December 10, 2008

Take It from the Pros: Holiday Decorating on a Budget

Experts Share Their Best Money-Saving Tricks

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From PEOPLE Magazine

BRING NATURE INDOORS
"Use items from nature, like dried hydrangea blossoms from the yard, pine cones or magnolia leaves. Attach them to a garland to decorate the mantel."
—Craig Kettles, designer, Lakemont, Ga.

EASY TABLESCAPES
"Fill glass bowls with round old-fashioned ornaments. Just a little glitz can add a lot of holiday style."
—Sarah Jernigan, interior decorator, Birmingham, Ala.

COLOR COORDINATE
"Stick to one color theme and use a lot of it. Do red Christmas lights, red foil gift wrap, red ornaments. This makes a really big impact."
—Colin Cowie, designer and author, Los Angeles

A LITTLE LIGHT CAN GO A LONG WAY
"Place inexpensive tea lights all over the house."
—Mindy Weiss, celebrity event planner

MIX CITRUS AND SPICE
"Stud citrus fruits with cloves to make pomanders that can be hung as ornaments."
—Mark Brunetz, interior designer on Style Network's Clean House

TIE A RIBBON ON IT!
"Ribbons can be used to add a spark of color to everything from Christmas trees—tie bows around the branches—to candleholders."
—John Loecke, interior designer, New York City

MOVE YOUR MIRRORS
"Take a mirror off the wall and use it as a tabletop. Mirrors reflect candlelight."
—Thom Filicia, host of the Style Network's Dress My Nest

DRESS UP YOUR FIREPLACE
"Remove the fireplace's dirty grate and old logs and fill the cleaned space with an assortment of pillar candles."
—David Tutera, celebrity event planner

WARM WELCOME
"Personalize a wreath with family photos placed in unique frames."
—Laurie Hickson-Smith, designer from TLC's Trading Spaces

More From This Article

Holiday Lights

SIX NEW WAYS TO WORK WITH THE SEASON'S BRIGHTEST ACCESSORY

SIMPLE LUMINARIES "Line your pathway with a series of clear glass or plastic bowls and puddle your light strands in each one." —Kim Myles, host of HGTV's Myles of Style

EASY "ICE" BLOCKS "Take a glass decorative block typically found at a home improvement store. Drill a 1-in. hole in the back, then put an entire string of white or blue lights inside. Place several blocks on your fireplace hearth, creating a winter wonderland within your home." —Mark Brunetz

INDOOR STARS "String lights from the ceiling—either the length or width of the room. It's the most beautiful display of lights you've ever seen!" —Mindy Weiss

HOMEMADE ICICLES "Take a thin piece of wood and drape a string of lights around it, letting the loops fall at irregular lengths. Hang the bar across the top of a window on the outside of your house." —Colin Cowie

BOLD WINDOW BORDERS "Frame the inside of window moldings with white lights. Why should the festivities be only for the neighbors?" —Nate Berkus, design expert for The Oprah Winfrey Show

DECORATIVE LANTERNS "Cluster single strands of battery-operated lights in Lucite boxes. This makes a great substitute for the traditional candle in the powder room. You can also mix in some ornaments for an added festive touch." —David Tutera