Easy Inexpensive Holiday Decorations

Boughs of holly? Been there, done that. This year, deck the halls with surprising everyday items you can pick up at stores you’re visiting anyway.

Decorating Shortcuts

Decorating From the Party Supply Store
Three house-trimming ideas that don’t involve a tangled strand of lights? Now that’s something to celebrate. Watch the video for the easy craft how-tos of these Christmas decorations.

Holiday Ideas

Christmas Decorating From the Grocery Store
Don’t bite off more than you can chew over the holidays: Pick up the ingredients for these deliciously simple Christmas decorations at your local supermarket. Watch the video for the craft how-tos.

The Best Holiday Lights
All lights are not alike. Add some holiday cheer to your home with these editor-approved strands.

Holiday Organizing Checklist

Overwhelmed by all the season’s good tidings (invitations, gifts, wrapping, and decorations)? Print out this list of suggestions from organizing expert Jodie Watson and you’ll have a happier Yule. 

• 1. Create a holiday planning binder to stay on track over the holidays. In it, place lists for gifts, cards, invitations, menus, grocery-shopping, and to-dos. Include a countdown calendar to help you plan when you will get everything finished. Spread the workload over a number of weeks to avoid last-minute stress.
• 2. About a month before the holidays, write a list of the people for whom you will be buying gifts, ideas for what you’d like to get them, where you will purchase them, and the estimated amount each present will cost.
• 3. Window-shop online to narrow down your ideas before you head out to stores.

View The Entire Checklist