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.