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Homes for the Holidays
Economical Decorating with Your Family
By Jenn Director Knudsen
The economy may be in a slump, and many families may be spending less on gifts and holiday decor this year but they're still dressing up their homes for the holidays. In fact, an Ace Hardware Corporation study found 88 percent of Americans decorate their homes for at least one holiday during the year.
Cynthia McKay, of English and Scottish decent and a member of the Church of England, and her husband, who is Hispanic and practices Catholicism, decorate their house for the holidays to represent their different religious and cultural backgrounds. And they do so with kids and a budget in mind.
"We decorate our home with a variety of items typical of Christmas, and we also include traditional Mexican ornaments, garlands and foods," says McKay, president and chief executive officer of franchising company Le Gourmet Gift Basket, Inc. and a resident of Parker, Colo.
"When the kids come over, we generally set up a table to paint small cards expressing something specific to our heritage, childhood or holiday," says McKay, 47. They then create a garland out of the cards to drape over a large banister.
There are many projects like McKay's that you and your child can make together with just a few simple materials, many of which you can find around your house. Parents and home-d袯r experts offer the following easy-on-the-pocket suggestions for projects to make your home more festive this holiday season.
An inexpensive way McKay's youngest guests enjoy the holiday festivities is to string up a colorful pinata, filled with small gifts. Tara McBride, mother of Madeline, 6, and Ruairi, 4, says there's nothing like "good old-fashioned paper chains" for Christmas or any other holiday. "Inexpensive, multi-colored construction paper – stapled or taped together – provides hours of entertainment and rooms full of bright, cheerful fun," says McBride, 37, who lives in Lonelyville, Fire Island off the coast of New York. "My kids make tons of chains. They are also into making and following patterns, now that they're a bit older."
Want to see more?
- Unconventional Holiday D袯r: Dressing Your Home for the Season
- Celebrate Hanukkah: Activities to Make, Play and Eat with Your Preschooler
- From Christmas to Kwanzaa: Learning the Different Holidays Through Crafts
- Distinctive Decorating: Creating Your Own Holiday Style
- Check out our Article Library.
- Talk about it!
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