Tips for Holiday Accessorizing for $25 or Less

(ARA) - Tough economic times may mean your holiday budget is tight this year. But trimming your holiday spending doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. With some creativity, you can add extra icing to your holiday decor - for less than $25.

“We’re all more conscious of our spending right now, so that means it’s time to be imaginative and resourceful, especially when it comes to decorating for a specific season,” says Gary Babcock, a design expert with Arhaus Furniture (www.arhaus.com). “By using existing items in your home and purchasing just a few ‘key,’ but inexpensive elements, you can create a show-stopping holiday display within your budget.”

Babcock offers some festive and fresh ways to deck the halls:

The Green Scene:

Bring a taste of the outdoors in with a “green” theme — straight from your back yard. Use foliage, like pine cones and holly, to create a lush centerpiece or dress up a mantle. Intertwine the natural flora with ribbons, ornaments or the hottest earthy trend of the season — woodsy mushrooms. From Arhaus, look for hand carved wooden or recycled glass mushrooms in various sizes ($9 to $24)

Birds of a Feather:

Also nature-inspired, birds evoke the songs of the season. These cheerful feathered friends can make a special appearance or set the entire theme. The Arhaus recycled glass Chickadees or Finch Vases are adorable additions to any holiday decor ($14 each). Or consider hanging birdhouses with holiday-colored ribbons. Babcock suggests groups of three to five birdhouses hung from the ceiling above a dining table, or in front of a large picture window.

Bulbs and Baubles:

Group ornaments in similar colors or themes and either hang them throughout your home or place them in bowls or vases. For instance, the latest twist on traditional colors is updated with a palette of winter white, raspberry and mossy green. Look for bulbs in these colors or create your own holiday color scheme.

Flower Power:

Flowers are not only beautiful and fragrant, but they also add natural color to any holiday decor. Bring your flower pots indoors and plant bulbs that will bloom over the holidays, like amaryllis. Or, for those who don’t have a green thumb, get your floral fix by layering or hanging ceramic flowers, like Arhaus’ Magnolias or Peonies in shades of cream, blue and taupe ($12-22 each).

Retro Glam:

Go vintage with your holiday tree this year. Glam it up with a few Baroque-inspired Old World ornaments in bronze, brass and pewter/nickel finishes ($10-15 each) from Arhaus, then intersperse natural homemade accessories like strands of popcorn or cranberries.

Health Nut:

Another inexpensive burst of holiday hue comes straight from the grocery store with fruits, spices, seeds and berries. For example, gather bushels of apples or cranberries and place them in bowls and vases throughout the house. Coordinated with holiday patterned linens, this makes a stunning display. Add to the ambiance with a grouping of adorable Pear Vases from Arhaus ($6 each).

Light the Way:

Nothing creates a warm cozy holiday environment like candlelight. Group candles in holiday colors, or simply white, throughout your home to create a natural glow. To dress up your candles, consider placing them in glass candle holders; the Arhaus Broken Glass Candle Holder, made of recycled glass, reflects light beautifully.

Toys on Parade:

The holidays bring out the child in all of us, so why not decorate with toys? Stick to a “toy theme,” like wooden toys, to make an impact. Search flea markets or even grandma’s attic to find old wooden trains, nutcrackers and blocks. For a special touch of whimsy, start a collection of authentic wooden Italian Pinocchios, hand carved and painted, an Arhaus exclusive (starting at $9 each).

For more tips on accessorizing for the holidays, visit Arhaus Furniture at www.arhaus.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content