A Cheap Christmas Centerpiece

First and foremost, I’d like to point out that although this centerpiece is cheap in price, it is not cheap-looking. I’d put that in the headline, but I hate long headlines (except for this one).

Christmas this year will be a little different from last year, for several reasons:

• We didn’t have a house last year – so we didn’t have that little thing called a mortgage and all the joy that brings.
• Since we didn’t have a house, and we didn’t know how long it would take to get a house, we stayed with ManFiancé’s parents, rent-free. Our bank accounts were ballin’ … Now, not so much.
• We celebrated Christmas with ManFiancé’s family, which is somewhat smaller than mine. Meaning: less presents to buy. This year, both families are coming to our house for Christmas. Holy Griswolds!
• We’re saving for a wedding now. {Is anyone else tired of always saving for something?}

It’s pretty safe to say, money is tight around here (like it is everywhere else), so I’ve had to get creative with my Christmas decorations. Since we never really had a place to call our own, I basically had to start from scratch when it came to decorating the house – especially holiday decorating.

I went to Walmart (the mecca of cheap things) to see what I could find. I found fake Christmas flowers ($3), 2 simple but pretty vases ($2 each), 2 white and unscented candles ($2 each), and a Christmas table runner for $10. In case you can’t add, that’s a whopping total of $21. {don’t worry math-challenged people, I had to use my fingers to count}

Next, I took the fake flowers and pulled them apart. I pulled the fake cranberries off (but left them in bunches), and cut up the fake greenery. I placed the candles in the vases, and stuffed the fake cranberries and fake greenery into the vases – right up against the candle. Everything in the vase was positioned so that it not only looked attractive, but also kept everything tight and in place.

FYI – I chose unscented candles for the table because you don’t want scented candles while eating your Christmas dinner – it takes away from the flavor of the food. (oh hell no!)

I must say, the best time to shop for any type of holiday decoration is right after the holiday has ended. So I will admit that I did buy a few things last year to save extra money.

As you may or may not know, I am officially addicted to the Goodwill near my house. Not only did I score a complete gold China set for $25 there, but that store in particular sells new items at a discounted price. And it’s the nicest, cleanest, awesomest thrift store I have ever been to. Period.

I bought a gold Santa’s Sleigh and cheap ornaments for $5.

Amazingness.

$26 total and I’ve got me a pretty kewl Christmas centerpiece.

Martha, eat your heart out.