decorations need to be replaced ~ 2008

[ncurrence]

I recently lost all of my decorations. From Fall to my Christmas decorations. Any tips or ideas on how to replenish these items at a low cost. Does anyone know of a place or places that I can buy these type items that each year they are proven to be most reasonable.

Any ideas are great. I have 3 young ones that are use to a decked out holiday home..:hat:

[Marmee]

Thrift stores have always helped me decorate with only a little money.

Another idea that I got from someone is to buy RED stuff whenever it is on clearance.

If you only buy RED plates/cups/napkins/streamers/lights/tablecloths, etc. then they can be used for LOTS of holidays:
Christmas
4th of July
Labor Day
Memorial Day
Valentine's Day
Thanksgiving
and of course...Birthdays!

[ptcygofalcons]

The suggestion for shopping at thrift stores for these items is a good one. I would also suggest checking out some estate sales in your area.

We went to a huge one held locally - and it was a Christmas collectors dream come true . The entire garage area was filled with nothing but Hallmark ornaments ( still in the box ), wreathes, glasses , - It was unreal.

[thickbluebug]

I would check out the craft and summer survival threads. There were some neat projects to do this summer when the kids were bored and out of school. Cheap stuff too.
I would check out the michaels and hobby lobby forums for coupon/clearance deals and let the kiddos make some crafts.
I would check out the teacher websites for ideas on kraft projects.

So many people are hunting stuff at the thrifts and yard sales it is hard to get great deals anymore. At least around me.

[SaraW]

(hugs) I am addicted to fall and winter decorations so I cannot imagine losing them. Keep a close eye on CVS and Target for their decorations to go on clearance. I have ended up getting alot of things at 50-90% off.

I stock up on ribbon and flowers at JoAnn's every time they go on clearance. I have so many "themes" that I am sure I didn't pay over $20 TOTAL. You can get great deals on clearance at JoAnn and their fall and winter items are so adorable!!! Also go to the Dollar Tree if you need to supplement for this year before clearance prices. They have adorable stuff too. I bought a christmas "counter" chalkboard last year that my DS LOVED.

[kval07]

:frown: Oh my goodness. I am so sorry you lost all your stuff! I am a HUGE Christmas fan. I have decorations, ornaments, tinsel and lights galore. This is one thing I WON'T skimp on. I will pay top dollar for good quality, beautiful glass ornaments.

Aside from garage/estate sales and thrift stores, try these:

thechristmasplace.com-go to the clearance page-they have a bunch of ornaments on sale as low as .97 each. I have bought tons of ornaments from them for Christmas gifts. All come packaged in bubble wrap. A steamroller couldn't hurt 'em they have them packaged so well!

OR

Put a post up on freecycle.org in your area.

[SaraW]

freecycle is a great idea!!!!!

[kval07]

I don't know if you have a Hobby Lobby around or not. If you do, this week they have Seasonal Packaged Ornament Kits for 30%. Maybe a good project to do with the kids?

[mommaof2kiddos]

The dollar stores!!! I always see cute stuff at Dollar Tree in particular ~ dollars can stretch there for sure! I've gotten some cute ornaments, window clings and figurines in the past. I like to put the window clings on the mirror in the kids' bathroom.

A cheap way to add lots of color is to decorate with glass ornaments and candles. I fill different sized hurricane jars with miny glass ball ornaments, and add green/red/gold/silver/white candles to every high surface I can LOL. You can also use pretty wrapped candies in a hurricane jar or crystal bowl, super cheap. For halloween I put candy corn (50 cents a bag) in my hurricane jars on my mantel. I also have children and pets, so I need a nice mantel to look at that no one can reach and destroy!

I usually add new things to my collection every year. After each holiday the items go on mega clearance of course, and that is when I go to Walmart and Target and get things for the next year at wonderfully low prices.

[derketchup]

Just try to hang on this year until the after Christmas sales. You can make popcorn garland and ornaments out of dough.