Budget Tips - Revamping old decorations...

[Rouge]

I'm going to be doing this, as we are BROKE! And we will be spending money on a real tree.

Our decorations are OLD as old as DD (8 yrs) and they are getting tatty. They are also a billion different colours. So I'm going to get in the martha decorating spirit, get myself an abundance of glitter in black red and silver and I'm going to reglitter everything and put them back on the tree glittered up!. I'll be doing the reusing the glitter in the tray trick. And you'd be surprised how far glitter can go!

So how would you revamp old decorations?

[Rivlas]

I wonder if I could spray paint the balls and other decorations, mmmmm, you have given me something to think about.
I will be getting rid of the the thick tinsel this year, might give it to the kids to play with

[Trillian]

With the baubles you could easily spraypaint and then personalise with names or use some decoupage pictures and cover them with pictures. Plus you're pretty handy in the kitchen so why not bake some goodies, wrap in clear celophane with some funky ribbons tying them on and then you eat them Christmas day. But that ones probably something you'd add to the tree in the week or days before Christmas otherwise they'd be pretty manky and stale LOL

[AngelPunks]

old-skool paper chains, popcorn chains (sprayed with clear coat to keep them "fresh")

repaint/recoat the balls (you can pick colour themes for this - different ones each year)

get the kids to go hunting in the bush (thanking the universe/god/goddess whoever you subscribe to) when they pick up branches, unusual leaves etc from the ground to make wreaths

we used to go to the local prison and pick up the pine cones from under the trees and then decorate them

get the kids to make decorations from things around the house (old dolls/toys etc)

[Lulu]

Last year I bought 2 cheapo rolls of gold and silver wrapping paper, cut them into strips and made paper chains. It looks awesome and they managed to survive till this year too.
Excellent activity for the kids too!

[melbel]

budget decos using foam shapes, sequins, beads and a packet of sewing pins to stick them into the foam balls/shapes...all available at spotlight really cheap and look awesome...I have some a friend made for me back in 1999 that are still going strong and they sparkle so well.

[BloominRoses]

For me, I think it depends if you're going for a glam tree or one that is more family-style ie a very homey tribute to Xmas with assorted decorations that may not match perfectly but can be made with the help of your children.

I've always leaned towards the glam one but now that I'm a Mummy, I can't wait until DS is old enough to help me wreak havoc making decorations.

Which look are you going for? Based on that I can throw some suggestions your way - not saying they'll be good suggestions however.

[AnyDream]

Yep I've done the revamp with the glitter trick .

I've also gone to town with coloured sequins & diamante gems - I do so like the way the catch the light in the evening when the chrissy tree lights are on. You could also add some dangly beads or tassels to a few feature deccies.

I'm doing a pink theme this year and I've bought some pink organza ribbon so that I can pink-ify some of the other deccies by adding a big pink bow on top. Same goes for candy-canes/chocolates - I'm going to tie pink ribbons around them. Cheap but pretty.

Our angel's getting a bit tired too - I'm wondering if I could give her a new dress but I think I'm running out of time this year - hold that thought for next year.

[Bathsheba]

Most of our Chrissy decos are 15 years old!!! DH went out and bought a heap, and our fake tree, when I was pregnant with our first baby who turns 15 in a few weeks. So they are starting to look tired too. One trick I discovered last year when the red stuff started to peel off the cherries and fruit in our holly wreath: re-paint them with fingernail polish!!! They came up great! Nice and glossy Our front door (on which we hang the wreath) faces the west so gets the hot afternoon sun so I wracked my brain and thought of the most durable kind of product that i had on hand... we were so broke last year I didn't even want to go out and buy a tin of paint. I had heaps of old nail polishes that needed using up... might give them another coat this year.