Quick Fix for a Quick Season

Short on time? Money flying out your door this holiday season? Still haven't put up the holiday decor? Tired of the same old look year by year? What to do?

Bet you are glad to hear that it's time for another Cheapskate Tip!

The significant guy and I like to keep things pretty simple for the holidays. There's enough to worry about. He's managed to hang onto a potpourri of vintage ornaments and I've managed to keep a small, potted evergreen tree alive for a few years. I simply wanted to add some color and humor to it this year.

Given that approximately 28% of busy Americans shop online for the holidays, including myself, I thought it was best to utilize the cardboard shipping boxes as a foundation to making some ornaments. I also had hoarded for years this goofy Loteria paper. Your variation could be comprised of millions of possibilities.

The corrugation inside the cardboard panels evokes a readymade pattern and texture on the sides. Just add color.

Grab the glue stick and paste away. How you hang and display your final ornament will depend on what materials you decide to utilize. I call our tree the 'Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.'

(image via Charles M. Schulz)

It was best not to attach hangers to these ornaments and hang them. Instead, the Loteria ornaments were rested atop of sprigs and branches. We added some of the lightweight vintage ornaments we already had onto the tree, and the heavier vintage ornaments were displayed on the table around the base of the tree.

In just a couple of hours, I was in the mood for the holidays. Therapeutically ready, nonetheless.