During the festive season, the thought about spending money on little things such as decorations, trinkets and little extras to adorn your house can sometimes all feel too much - especially when times are hard and the cost of living is so expensive. On this post we wanted to take some time to talk about how to embrace the spirit of the season and avoid breaking the bank.
A budget-friendly Christmas celebration can be both festive and heart-warming, without appearing "cheap". This year, why not try to transform your home into a holiday haven and take up a new hobby at the same time, through the art of handmade decorations. Gather the family for a delightful crafting session, creating ornaments, wreaths and garlands from simple materials like paper, pinecones and twine. Incorporate cherished memories into your décor by repurposing old photos into personalised ornaments or crafting a DIY advent calendar.
Not only do homemade decorations add a touch of authenticity, but they also foster a sense of togetherness and creativity during the holiday season. By keeping expenses in check and infusing your home with the warmth of crafted adornments, you can create a Christmas atmosphere that's not only budget-friendly but also brimming with personal charm and joy.
How does that sound to you? Exciting?! We thought so! That is why we have created your very own step by step guide about how to create some rather beautiful homemade snowflakes for your home. Just keep reading and follow along at home, although if you are crafting with kids, take care when cutting!
What you need to create these decorations:
- A pair of scissors
- Glue or double sided tape
- Your paper of choice (we used the Artgecko PRO Gecko Tracing Paper)
- A ribbon
- Ruler
- Pencil
Step 1
Place your piece of paper in portrait format in front of you. Fold the piece of paper directly in half so it is long and thin.
Step 2
Using a ruler and pencil, draw a diagonal line from one corner to the next. This is your cut line.
Step 3
Cut the piece of paper into a triangle and unfold. You should have a triangle that how two very long sides and one very small, with the fold line appearing in the middle.
Step 4
Place the triangle down on the table in front of you and start folding a concertina, beginning at the base of the triangle. The folds should be roughly a cm in size however the key to the design is to make the folds the same size.
Step 5
Collapse your folds down into a flat surface and begin to fold the paper back on itself using the centre fold from the beginning as a guide. Make sure that the smaller concertina folds that you have created are on the outside.
Step 6
Glue the inner section together.
Step 7
Once glued, this section will create one of five snowflake edge pieces. Redo the above steps another six times to create each corner.
Step 8
Glue each of your seven pieces together to form your snowflake.
Step 9
Attach a ribbon to one of the sides so that you can hang your finished snowflake.
Step 10
You have finished your snowflake! Enjoy your creation or maybe make some more to fill your house. Why not try the next with different sizes and paper types.
Did you enjoy this tutorial? Or do you need some more help? Take a look at this video as a guide.
Opting for homemade festive decorations is a heart-warming and budget-friendly way to celebrate the holiday season. Crafting ornaments and adornments together not only adds a personalised touch to your home but also creates lasting memories. The shared experience of creating these decorations fosters a sense of togetherness, bringing family members closer and emphasising the true spirit of Christmas. By embracing the beauty of DIY craftsmanship, you not only achieve a warm and inviting holiday ambiance but also prioritise meaningful connections over costly extravagance, making it a season to cherish for years to come.
Happy festive crafting everyone!