”I’m participating in the Spend-Less Holidays: Saving While Savoring the Season Blog Carnival, hosted by The Frugal Fil-Am and Dainty Mom. We’ll be sharing our tips on how to spend less this holiday season, so that we can have a more meaningful Christmas. Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of carnival entries.”
Last year was our first Christmas in our new home. That means, new home = moving in expenses + renovations and other unexpected expenses. So naturally, when the holidays rolled in, we really didn’t have that much budget for any Christmas decorations, trimmings and all that jazz. But silly old me Chrissy-mas-tree never wanted to succumb to the no-holiday-cheer atmosphere in our home. Besides, it was Lyndel’s first Christmas (well technically second but last 2010 he was still in an infant so he wasn’t really aware of things yet) and I wanted it to be special for him somehow.
We weren’t able to get a Christmas tree so I decided that we’ll have a Christmas corner instead. I gathered all the potential things around the house, downloaded some printables, threw in a snowman and a last minute miniature Christmas tree from the Php88 store and here’s what I was able to come up with! With a little bit of imagination on the side, we were able to pull off our Christmas corner. :)And my son loved it! In fact he loved it so much that he actively participated in rearranging the fixtures everyday (to our Yaya’s dismay haha)
(Christmas printable banners, Lyndel’s letter to Santa, DIY stocking, Christmas balls in an acrylic bowl, miniature Christmas tree, store bought snowman, T’was the night before Christmas storybook)
For our Christmas this year, I told my husband, “just buy me a Christmas tree and I’ll do the rest”. I really wanted to make all the Christmas crafts I could make this year, I was planning on channeling Martha Stewart. But then, work realities happened: I have five events for December alone! Panic attack!!!!!
Of course, my husband bought me a tree (from Divi 
) and he handed it to me one super busy busy work day. I only managed to make the glittery stars and presents and it was hard work. And to top it all, Lyndel got so excited with his Lyndel’s tree that he kept on taking out the stars and presents. At first, I was being corny and I tried to control him. But Lyndon (my husband) reminded me that it’s Lyndel’s tree so I shouldn’t be the controlling Mommy Dearest. I got humbled and stepped back because I realized, Lyndel is the main reason why we have this tree. And so, I took out his small plushies and asked him to decorate the tree with it and we had tons of fun doing it! Of course, he always rearranges his “friends” on the tree, but it’s okay, it’s more fun and spontaneous this way.
) and he handed it to me one super busy busy work day. I only managed to make the glittery stars and presents and it was hard work. And to top it all, Lyndel got so excited with his Lyndel’s tree that he kept on taking out the stars and presents. At first, I was being corny and I tried to control him. But Lyndon (my husband) reminded me that it’s Lyndel’s tree so I shouldn’t be the controlling Mommy Dearest. I got humbled and stepped back because I realized, Lyndel is the main reason why we have this tree. And so, I took out his small plushies and asked him to decorate the tree with it and we had tons of fun doing it! Of course, he always rearranges his “friends” on the tree, but it’s okay, it’s more fun and spontaneous this way. |
| Glittery Stars |
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| Lyndel’s best friend Buddy |
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| Decor fun – Lyndel and Daddy style |
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| The proud owner of this Happy Christmas Tree |
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| Lyndel’s tree as of 11.28.12 (new addition: Agent Oso plushie) |
So what are the lessons that I learned so far?
Be Resourceful
- You don’t have to buy all the Christmas trimmings you could see in stores. Maybe you can buy some key pieces, but for the rest, as we do with our clothes, accessorize! If you know how to sew, make your own Christmas stockings. Or you make kirigami snowflakes with your kids, make a snowman, bake a gingerbread house (these last three are on my bucket list for Christmas crafts next year hehe) There are a lot of possibilities at home and there are tons of craft ideas online. Just go to old Google and he’ll lead the way.
- And oh, make use of free printables online. I got my Christmas buntings from Peonies and Poppyseeds (I loooove them!)
Be Open
As I mentioned above, I was completely humbled when my husband told me off and said ‘this is Lyndel’s tree remember?” Sometimes, us Moms, we get too entangled with our desire to make things look pretty and perfect that we forget that’s not what our family really needs. So I say, be open to anything. If things don’t go as planned, just let it be. After all, it is not how lavish your Christmas decors are, it is how wonderful memories are made.
I still have to install my Christmas buntings from last year and add more details to our DIY Christmas atmosphere. I already have my Christmas craft bucket list for next year. As they say, the third time’s a charm, so who knows, maybe next year, all my Christmas craft dreams will come true!
xoxo
Here are the other blog carnival entries. Read on and share the love
I miss crafting, Chrissy.
Can we do a WAHMs “craft-ernoon” sometime?!
I love your handmade touches to your decor, and Lyndel is just KILLING ME in that photo by the tree! Cutie!
Hi Martine! Yes, let’s d a WAHM crafternoon, let’s plan for next year? I’m so excited already! hehe In fairness to Lyndel, he doesn’t rearrange the Christmas decors everyday anymore. Once a week na lang hahaha. This week for instance, he rearranged the decors when the Agent Oso plushie arrived.
I love the idea of using Lyndel’s toys as tree decors, Chrissy!:) Your tree will definitely be a hit to my kids. I wanna do that too next year
So cute! Nice idea of Christmas corner, too! And…uh…I like Oso! (I’m such a stuffed toy fan, hehe.) Just read the comment of Martine — you have like some crafting event? Sounds interesting…I’ve always found those crafting magazines and crafting stuff to my liking but I’ve never really done any major project…I’d like to give that a try! 😀
I love the idea of using your son’s toys to decorate the tree! The tree is so cute! And he looks really happy with his tree. Priceless!
Hi May, Christine, Mich! Thanks for your kind words
And also, super stress free ang idea na to because you won’t worry when your kids will start playing with the decors and di ka kakabahan if masisira or not hehe. And most of all, it’s a big hit to the kids!
Mich, I’m looking forward to that crafternoon too! Must talk to Martine na about it! 😀
Christmas corner was a great idea! You don’t have to decorate the whole house to get that Christmas feel
One stand out corner maybe all you need actually 
Love love love your Christmas corner and your (well, Lyndel’s, hehe!) Christmas tree!
I’m not a crafty mom myself and am very frugal (OK, yes, kuripot ako in other words, haha!) so our Christmas decor will just be our belen sets (from Papemelroti), our Jesse Tree, our Advent calendar tree, a wreath with silver decor, and silver gift ribbon made into buntings! hahahaha! 
God bless you and your family always, Chrissy dear! And God bless your events too!
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