Last year, after going DIY, I stated I would do better this year with my Christmas styling decorations but alas…it’s happened again. I have no money to spend on all the whimsical decorations out there this year. Boo-hoo! So if you are in the same boat or maybe just want to update to add to your current collection, you might find this useful.
Retailers have erupted with Christmas goodies over the past few weeks and their shop windows are brimming with a ‘golden’ theme this year. What I love about trends is seeing them filter down from the big name stores to the very little ones. This means that shoppers can choose the quality and price of their items to suit their budget more easily. You will notice some items are exactly the same with like quality such as bell wreaths, for example, a metal bell is a metal bell. You can choose one from Freedom for $59 or one from Spotlight for $20! I know which one I would choose to save a dollar.
This years trends include:
GOLD – gold and brass, gold dipped ceramics, gold plated, gold geometric patterns, gold wires tree trees, gold sparkle you name it, they’ve got it!
NATURAL – timber, rustic, handmade tree decorations, timber letters, timber crates, rustic timber painted decorations.
BELLS – Bell wreaths, bell door knob decorations (painted, gold and silver), single bells.
SNOW DOME – cloches, snow dome tree decorations, snow dome centerpieces.
TROPICAL – Weird, but lighter blue decorations, little beachy elements such as sisal trimmings and distressed timber such as picture frames, palm tree themes.
My best advice when shopping for new Christmas decorations is:
- Do your research FIRST
I do my research online after checking out the latest catalogues and trends. Why are trends important to notice? If you want a ceramic white deer wearing a candy stripe tie and top hat this year forget about it! No one has them. So don’t go galloping around wasting your time looking for them. Research what the trends are and look for things to match your current stash of decorations. That way, you’ll know what store to hit.
2. Make a list and check it thrice!
Once you have decided what items you are after, ie. wooden decorations, gold trimmings etc and you have found them at the big name stores, check to see if you can save money by buying a like item from a smaller or cheaper store. For instance, Freedom has beautiful birch branches with lights for just over $100 but Kmart has a lit branch tree for $19. Plus, it’s also possible to make your own if you have been pruning your backyard trees recently.
3. Mix your items together
No one is going to know that some of your decorations you bought for a dollar and some you bought for $7 once they are all coordinating together. Don’t be afraid to buy from several different stores, saving where you can, in order to achieve your overall look. You won’t believe where some of these items came from in my Splurge Vs Save shopping list below.
