Decorating a large tree for the first time? You may not have enough ornaments to really fill it out. To bring it a distinctive, homey look without spending a lot of money, make your own ornaments. Try making some of the creative ornament suggestions from Woman’s Day such as mini snowglobes, glittery jingle bells or yarn-covered Christmas stars. You can also use “found” twigs to form ornaments or print whimsical family photos to hang on the tree. And you live near the ocean, all you need is a drill and some string to hang oyster or beachcombed shells on your tree.
Tag: DIY
DIY Hacks to Keep Your Place Cool
Air conditioning is a boon when summer’s hot, humid weather becomes unbearable and you need to escape the sun for the most scorching parts of the day. But if you don’t have central air or a window unit (and the local movie theater or coffee shop is closed for the night), you can try making a homemade air conditioner using a fan and a Styrofoam cooler full of ice. LifeHacker also suggests turning window fans toward the outdoors to draw the heat out of your home at night and putting your sheets in the freezer before bed. Also, avoid cooking anything on the stove or in the oven; it’s cookout season anyway!
Shop the Thrift for Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 13 is Mother’s Day, and if you’re on a budget, you’re probably looking for a good way give Mom a nice gift without looking cheap. Start at the thrift store; there are often plenty of lightly used treasures there that are ready to wrap and give. The thrift can also offer items that form the foundation of a craft project that repurposes used goods in a glamorous new way. Better still, many of the items sold at your local thrift store come from donations to ClothingDonations.org, so that DIY project will not only provide Mom with a heartfelt appreciation, it will also help fund crucial veterans’ programs throughout the country.
Crafty Valentines for People and Pets
Nothing says love like a handmade gift, so why not craft your Valentine’s Day cards and gifts? Homemaker extraordinaire Martha Stewart has 37 suggestions for handmade gifts that will help you show your love, including felt coffee-cup sleeves, zip-tie garlands, heart-shaped potholders and even a Valentine’s fortune wheel. Spending the holiday with your pets? Make felt catnip pouches to give your feline friends a little extra love, or try baking some homemade treats for your hounds. The recipients will appreciate your hard work and creativity!
DIY Projects
Remember, staying organized and clutter-free doesn’t have to lead to expensive purchases. Sometimes you can create organizational structures from items you already own or for very low costs. Take a look at some of these DIY projects, and let us know how they work out!