Creative Thanksgiving Decor on a Tight Budget

Guest Blogger #252, Entry #755, November 11, 2011

When the holiday season rolls around, many people get into the spirit by putting up decorations around the house.  And the colors of fall provide a fiery palette for would-be decorators to spruce up their homes and make their spaces warm and inviting for the upcoming Thanksgiving feast.  But if it’s your first time decorating or the items you’ve used in years past are falling apart, you may be facing a pretty price proposition when it comes to adding some holiday flair to your house.  However, there are tons of ways to save on the decor that will make your home look special for turkey day.  Here are a few you may want to try.

A simple leaf and a metallic marker can make simple seating cards

Image via: Simply Suzannes

Look to lower priced stores

For starters, you’ll definitely want to skip department and home stores.  Although they have gorgeous and glitzy displays that seem to go on for miles, they’re going to be the most expensive option when it comes to decorations.  Instead, check out craft stores like Jo-Ann and Michaels as well as discount superstores like Target and Wal-Mart.  You may not find exactly the same items the department stores have, but you can find some really cute pieces at a fraction of the cost, and these stores often feature sales and coupons (for use in-store or online) that can save you even more.  Plus, most provide one-stop shopping for centerpieces, table settings, wall hangings, and more.

Beautiful holiday table decor with simple pumpkins and candles

DIY crafts to save you money

Of course, you will almost certainly save the most by adopting a DIY attitude, and there are plenty of crafts you can try to do on your own.  For example, if you’re handy with a sewing machine you can make tablecloths, napkins, runners, and seasonal wall hangings (amongst other things) to decorate your space with colorful and even functional pieces.  You could also look online for craft projects to do with the kids (like turkeys made from the outline of a hand or an artfully arranged cornucopia of gourds for the centerpiece.  But you can do a lot more for a lot less by looking to the bounty of nature.

Use natural items in autumn colors for your Thanksgiving table

Image via: Masjito

Natural decor and activities

Take the whole family out for a nature hike and pick up anything that catches your fancy, from leaves, branches, acorns, and pine cones to thistles, rocks, and even abandoned bird nests.  As long as it is on the ground or no longer in use, it could become a piece of your holiday decor.  When you get home, use these beautiful hallmarks of the fall season to create a wreath for the door, a garland for the fireplace, and a centerpiece for your dining table (leftovers can be used for additional projects like a pine-cone mobile or a small rock garden to place on your coffee table).  Use your imagination and remember to have some fun; you just saved a ton of money!

If you find a few pieces here or there that you just adore and would love to add to your holiday collection, you can still find ways to save.  Why not use those prepaid debit cards that are cluttering up your wallet (the ones you got for Christmas last year that have been sitting unused because they only have a few dollars left on them)?  Every little bit helps and if you can’t find must-have items on sale (and you can’t re-create them on your own) then at least you can make your own discount.

Evan Fischer writes for Get Debit where you can compare and contrast a variety of debit cards such as the Mango card.

For more Thanksgiving ideas on Stagetecture, click here.