Decorating a tree frugally doesn’t have to mean plain or boring. Use your creativity to come up with ideas that will reflect your interests and personal style.
Use bits of lace and velvet ribbons to create a romantic tree, chipped teacups to decorate a tea-themed tree, or even party streamers to fashion a celebration theme tree.
Here are more ideas for frugal, yet creative, ornaments.
Colored Glass Balls - Embellish common colored glass balls with a variety of special touches. Spray ornaments with glitter paints or frosty coatings, glue on glitter or craft store jewels, attach braids or ribbons. Use stickers, craft paints, or ribbons to add personality.
Cookies - A cookie tree is a natural when you love baking. Find a good cookie recipe (or see this Martha Stewart cookie recipe page ). Be sure to cut out a hole at the top of each cookie so a ribbon can be attached. Or, bake regular cookies, insert them into clear cellophane bags , tie with a ribbon, and use those as tree ornaments (as well as party favors or gifts).
Glitter Crazy - Use paint brushes to paint glue onto the ornament to make a pattern (or write a name), then dip into glitter. Let dry completely before using. Or, dot glue onto an ornament with a round pencil eraser and add glitter for a dotted look.
Origami - Fold origami shapes for your tree and hang by threads or thin gold cording. Choose paper colors and shapes that harmonize. Try making larger and smaller versions of the same fold for a harmonious look. We love the traditional bird fold, but make your own favorites.
Toy Trees - Little childrens toys look wonderful on a ********* tree. Mix them up with an assortment or go for a theme (dolls, bears, trucks). Wire heavier items to the branches and hang lightweight items by colorful ribbons or raffia loops. Fill in with plain glass balls, garlands, or bows. This is also a fun idea for a small tree in a child’s room.
A Card Tree - If you hate to part with beautiful ********* cards each year, then save them to use as tree decorations. Glue the front and back halves together to make a sturdier ornament, punch holes in the top, then tie to the tree with ribbons. Or, laminate some cards and use those as ornaments. Or, cut out portions of the cards and decoupage onto wooden craft shapes to use as ornaments.