Cheap Christmas Gifts

Outdoor vendors are popping up with fresh Christmas trees everywhere. Indoors, stores are lining their shelves with artificial versions that look just like the real thing. Happily, families are heading out to give a tree a home – happily that is until they’re shocked by the astronomical prices on some of these trees. On top of gifts, wrapping, holiday food and entertainment, it seems that Christmas trees also come with a hefty price tag. Fresh, live trees are upwards of $70+ and artificial trees can cost anywhere from $100-200-even 300. And then there are always decorations to consider.

So how do you get a cheaper Christmas tree?

Well, if you’re looking for something artificial that will last you a couple years then I recommend the large retail stores like Target, Sears, Wal-Mart, etc. They have good-looking Christmas tree options from as low as $50! That’s phenomenal savings for an artificial tree. The key on snagging one of these bargain trees is to purchase it early. It’s a huge advantage to keep an eye open as early as Black Friday for when they go on sale.

However if you’re late in the game for these artificial tree deals (or if you simply prefer the look and smell of the real version), don’t worry. The good news is you can keep waiting. For live, fresh Christmas trees, the best deals come a couple days before Christmas. All of these outdoor vendors will be trying to give homes to the last of their stock since after Christmas, not many will be wanting an evergreen in the middle of their living room. Real bargains come at this time since trees are sold at tremendous discount prices. The closer to Christmas day, the cheaper they will be.

The trade-off with this option is that of course, you have to be patient enough to wait. You won’t have a Christmas tree up in your home until much later, but you’ll be saving a ton of money. Also, keep in mind that these trees have been passed over by other customers for varying reasons (slight discoloration, smaller size, etc) so they won’t be perfect. But really, decorations do wonders and adding them will create the perfect Christmas tree for you.

Remember this Charlie Brown Christmas clip? It’s the one where all of the Peanut gang take Charlie Brown’s beat-up and sad looking tree, spruce it up, and suddenly it dazzles.

Finally, now that you have a Christmas tree, why not save even more money on decorations? Try out these cheap Christmas decorating tips!

• Melt candies together into Christmas shapes and put around the tree. Peppermint and butterscotch are delicious.
• Use ribbon to make bows all around the tree.
• String popcorn to create a classic garland look.
• Use crepe paper in red and white to make more holiday garland.
• Use old gift wrap, back on cardboard and cut into holiday shapes.
• Family photos!

Let’s be honest – everyone loves to decorate their homes in red, green and white during the holiday season to get the Christmas feel in the air. In addition to the staple Christmas tree, most even like to add a few other holiday touches like lights and indoor decorations to envelop your home Christmas cheer. Ideally everyone wants this, but in reality Christmas decorating can get pricey. Not many want to spend extra on decorating a home for a month or so when so many other things need to be paid for.

Well I’m here to offer very cheap (if not free) ideas on how to decorate your home this season so you won’t be busting your budget. These 10 ideas are inexpensive, but they make such a dramatic and elegant holiday statement for your home. Guests to your home this Christmas won’t believe how you could do so much with so little!

1. Everyone needs a wreath for your home, so why not make your own? Go out and grab a couple branches from a suitable evergreen and tie them into a circle shape with string, rope, whatever works. You can make a large one for your door and smaller ones for the dining table to encircle candles. Spray paint or add flowers and pine cones to make even prettier! These wreaths will also lend a natural earthy and fresh aroma to your home.

2. Make couch pillows more festive by wrapping them with holiday ribbon to look like presents! You can pin on bows or glue rhinestones to give them extra flavor.

3. Raid your local Dollar Store because you won’t believe the amazing finds you’ll discover for dirt cheap. Some items may look a little tacky at first but it’s nothing a little craft-y TLC won’t fix.

4. Dig out those boxes and boxes of holiday greeting cards use them as decorations around the house. Simply line them up on mantles or coffee tables, or if you’re feeling more artistic mount them on boards in a collage.

5. Frame holiday gift wrapping paper and hang it on the wall. You’ll be surprised how elegant and artistic this can look.

6. Pile ornament balls in a pretty shallow dish or bowl. I think clear bowls work best.

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I’ve entered full throttle mode on my Christmas gift shopping. On my frolics online to secure presents, I’ve come across these 10 gifts being sold on websites that I thought were absolutely phenomenal. At $5 (and sometimes less!), you get an incredible bargain deal for a really classy present that someone is sure to enjoy. Depending on how many friends and family are on your gift list this year, try to buy enough items to earn free shipping (since shipping costs are the only minor bummer about online shopping). However with careful planning, I was able to secure free shipping more than a few times. I haven’t been able to take advantage of all these cheap deals yet, so you can help me!

1. For anyone on your list who’s into retro-cool items, check out this absolutely adorable Fire department pen holder ($4.15). It will keep office writing utensils organized and has such wonderful detailing that it’s sure to brighten up any work space. It looks more like a mini sculpture than a pen holder!

2. I can’t believe this Air flow seat cushion is only $4.75. It’s great for use in the office, home or in the car. The special mesh design on the cushion is made to keep you cool and support your back.

3. If you have an acquaintance who likes unbearably cute kitchen items then this Apple cup and saucer ($3.70) is perfect. It adds color and fun to any kitchen since the cup is shaped like a big red apple. And at that price, honestly you cannot find a better unique cup design.

4. This Midnight Moon Oil Warmer ($3.70) is made of glazed porcelain and uses small tea lights to slowly warm your aromatic oils. Aromatherapy fans will love the special design and oil warming strategy. Even when not is use it adds a little elegance to any living room or bedroom.

5. I was so impressed with these handcrafted Peacock earrings (at only $2.35 per pair!) I bought 2 for my girlfriends and a pair for myself. The color of the handmade beads are a wonderful whirl of blues and greens that exactly match a peacock’s plumes. The earrings are big enough to make a statement but small enough to still look elegant.

6. This Glass Rose Candleholder ($4.90) reminded me of something out of “Beauty and the Beast.” It’s absolutely breath-taking and hard to believe it’s old-fashioned blown glass for that price. This gift kicks home decorating up a notch.

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