Did you start your decorating over the long weekend? We did, and I am happy to say that we are done, thanks in large part to my in-laws. Thanks, Tim & Kay!

If you’ve yet to start, I hope you can benefit from the tips I pulled together below on how to save on holiday decorating. Enjoy!

1) Take Inventory of What You Have. Pull everything out of the boxes and assess what you have before heading out to Michael’s or A.C. Moore just because they’re having huge sales on decorations. It’s not a bargain when you buy something you already have.

2) Get an Artificial Christmas Tree. Sure, it doesn’t smell as good as a real tree, but according to the American Christmas Tree Association, an artificial tree will cost you about one-third that of a real tree over a ten year period. Don’t want to buy a new one? Try Craig’s List. I found 50 in my area posted in the last week, most under $50 too.

3) Buy LED Lights to Decorate Your Tree. They’re twice the price but will last 10 times as long and use 90% less energy. A 50-count set of holiday LED lights can run $10 or more while standard lights can cost around $3. You can even get pre-lit artificial trees with LED lights.

4) Turn the Outdoor Twinkle Lights Off at Bedtime. Unplugging your lights when you go to sleep can cut your electricity costs in half. It will probably make your neighbors across the street a lot happier too!

5) Ask for Hand-Me-Downs. Does grandma still need all of those ornaments, red and green candles and holiday print tablecloths? Just ask and see what she’s willing to hand down to you. Thanks for this great tip, Beth at Green Stew!

6) Host a Swap Party. Invite your gal pals over for an evening of chit-chat and ornament swapping. Ask each friend to bring over those ornaments they want to swap and everyone goes home with new-to-them ornaments. You can even do a swap with other holiday décor, like bows, lights and tree toppers, even yard decorations.

7) Buy New Decorations Close to Christmas. The closer to Christmas, the cheaper the decorations will be so plan accordingly. And of course, use coupons when you can.

Do you have any great tips to save on decorating this holiday season? I’d love to hear them!

Did you start your decorating over the long weekend? We did, and I am happy to say that we are done, thanks in large part to my in-laws. Thanks, Tim & Kay!

If you’ve yet to start, I hope you can benefit from the tips I pulled together below on how to save on holiday decorating. Enjoy!

1) Take Inventory of What You Have. Pull everything out of the boxes and assess what you have before heading out to Michael’s or A.C. Moore just because they’re having huge sales on decorations. It’s not a bargain when you buy something you already have.

2) Get an Artificial Christmas Tree. Sure, it doesn’t smell as good as a real tree, but according to the American Christmas Tree Association, an artificial tree will cost you about one-third that of a real tree over a ten year period. Don’t want to buy a new one? Try Craig’s List. I found 50 in my area posted in the last week, most under $50 too.

3) Buy LED Lights to Decorate Your Tree. They’re twice the price but will last 10 times as long and use 90% less energy. A 50-count set of holiday LED lights can run $10 or more while standard lights can cost around $3. You can even get pre-lit artificial trees with LED lights.

4) Turn the Outdoor Twinkle Lights Off at Bedtime. Unplugging your lights when you go to sleep can cut your electricity costs in half. It will probably make your neighbors across the street a lot happier too!

5) Ask for Hand-Me-Downs. Does grandma still need all of those ornaments, red and green candles and holiday print tablecloths? Just ask and see what she’s willing to hand down to you. Thanks for this great tip, Beth at Green Stew!

6) Host a Swap Party. Invite your gal pals over for an evening of chit-chat and ornament swapping. Ask each friend to bring over those ornaments they want to swap and everyone goes home with new-to-them ornaments. You can even do a swap with other holiday décor, like bows, lights and tree toppers, even yard decorations.

7) Buy New Decorations Close to Christmas. The closer to Christmas, the cheaper the decorations will be so plan accordingly. And of course, use coupons when you can.

Do you have any great tips to save on decorating this holiday season? I’d love to hear them!