Fall-ify Your Home for Practically Free

Fall is in full swing in our neck of the woods. Autumn’s amazing palette of yellow, red and orange is on display, and the best part—-it’s free. Free to look at and, in most cases, free to take home and turn into phenomenal fall-themed decorations. All you need to do is get out and explore the beauty Mother Nature has to offer. While you are soaking in the change of scenery, consider collecting a few leaves, nuts, berries, and branches to fall-ify your home. Some simple and affordable projects include: LEAF STAMPS Stamping is an inexpensive and fun way to … Continue reading

Two Tips for DIY Fall Decor

Have fun this fall by creating your own autumn-themed decorations. If the final product doesn’t excite you, the money you save handcrafting your seasonal masterpieces certainly will. However, if you are not exactly a Martha Stewart prodigy, but want to take a stab at making affordable fall decor, consider these simple starters: Twig Candles: Take a stroll around your neighborhood or a local park and collect small twigs. You will also need a medium to large size candle in a glass holder, scissors, glue and twine. To make the decorative candles, cut the twigs to three-inch lengths. Next, stand the … Continue reading

Maximize the Mini

I love, love mini pumpkins. Not only are they adorable, versatile and portable, they are also quite affordable. You can purchase a small pail full of mini pumpkins for less than it would cost to buy a single full-sized gourd. What’s more, the decorating possibilities using several mini pumpkins versus one large one are virtually limitless. If you are considering experimenting with mini pumpkins this fall try out these simple projects that will turn your little gourds into major masterpieces: Mini Pumpkin Candle Holders: These natural candle holders made from mini pumpkins will enhance any fall-themed design. All you need … Continue reading

Cornucopia of Fun Fall Touches

The calendar may say November, but judging by the snow pack in my front yard, I would say that Old Man Winter has arrived and is planning to stay for a while. Unfortunately, the early and unwelcome dumping of nearly four inches of the white stuff has put a damper on my fall outdoor decorations. On the bright side, my indoor seasonal embellishments have fared much better. Tis the season to drape your home in oranges, yellows and reds. Then, add some leaves, acorns and berries, and you’ve got a fun and festive centerpiece to display on your Thanksgiving buffet. … Continue reading

Hosting a Fall Festival

Who says you have to rely on your church or civic organization to host a family-friendly fall festival? If you are looking for a way to gather your closest friends and relatives to celebrate the change of seasons, then consider throwing your own autumnal fling. The seasonal shindig can be as intimate or elaborate as you wish. If you are working on a tight budget, then you might need to streamline your decorations. Start by adding a few touches to the front area of your home to make it appear as festive as possible. You could make an inexpensive fall … Continue reading

Last-Minute Homemade Thanksgiving Decorations

You have everything to make your Thanksgiving feast, but you just realized that your dining room table has nothing to complement the holiday spread. Now what? All is not lost. Simply gather a few items from around your home to make these easy last-minute seasonal decorations: LEAVES Fill a galvanized container with oversized leaves (such as magnolia). Make sure the stems aren’t all the same length. The arrangement should mimic the natural, free-flowing form of the leaves themselves. CANDLES Collect several small glass jars or vases and fill them with dried corn. Then, nestle fall-colored candles of differing heights into … Continue reading

Homemade Decorations for Your Thanksgiving Table

Your Thanksgiving menu is set, but how’s your dining room table looking? With such an elaborate meal to present, you really should have table decorations that complement the stunning spread. If you are looking for simple and affordable ways to add rustic touches to your holiday dinner table, consider the following crafts. Not only will they help enhance your culinary masterpieces, but also you can give them away to your Thanksgiving guests as parting gifts once the celebration is over. Note: Both of these projects are kid-friendly. If you have children ask them to lend a hand. They will have … Continue reading

Thanksgiving Boredom Busters for Kids

Thanksgiving is not exactly the most kid-friendly of holidays. There’s no gift exchange, no candy to pass out, and no chocolate covered eggs to find. This, of course, means that parents need to be particularly creative to keep their gaggle of little turkeys under control until the real bird hits the table. If you are on the hunt for fun ways to keep boredom at bay, consider the following Thanksgiving-themed games. DANCING WITH THE TURKEYS This is basically a knock-off of the hit ABC reality TV show where celebs and dance pros compete in the ballroom together. In this version … Continue reading

Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Art Projects

Help your kids get in on the holiday preparation by allowing them to make these Thanksgiving decorations. Not only will these art projects keep your kids busy while you complete the Turkey Day meal, but also these crafts will yield amazing decorations that can be used to brighten up your holiday table. CORN PLACEMATS Materials: Ears of corn Knife Plastic corncob holders Paper plates Fabric paints Cloth placemats Directions: Break each ear of corn into 3-inch pieces (adults can use knife if necessary), then attach corncob holders firmly to the ends of each piece. Roll the corn pieces in a … Continue reading

Homemade Thanksgiving Decorations Courtesy of Mother Nature

Don’t break the bank buying a slew of Thanksgiving decorations this year. Rather, take a walk around your yard or stroll through a local park. That’s where you’ll be able to pick up materials needed to make your own festive holiday decor… for free. Take a look: NATURE-MADE THANKSGIVNG WREATH Let your creativity flow when making this wreath. You are only limited by the amount and variety of natural materials that you’re able to gather. In addition to being an extremely affordable craft, this natural wreath is also a breeze to make. If you organize your materials ahead of time … Continue reading