Holiday Hacks and Seasonal Scores!
Wow! Does anyone else feel like if you don’t have your house fully decorated by December 1st then you’re late to the party? I do! I remember when it was acceptable to deck the halls a couple weeks after Thanksgiving, but not anymore!
My struggle is real this week to get this this place Christmas-ed out so I can spend the rest of the season celebrating what it’s really about! And in order to do this with as little time and money spent as possible, I’ve got a few hacks to share.
First is this new pillow! This baby was a placemat a few short hours ago, and look at it now!
You’ve probably seen this trick before, but just in case– here’s my quick and easy, ain’t-nobody-got-time-for-sewing version. Grab your placemat (Make sure it’s a double layered one)…
Next, take a seam ripper and separate the bottom edge seam just enough to fit your insert.
Then, stuff in the pillow (I always take one out of a pillow from my stash). And then (here’s the best part), use a little strip of hot glue to close up the opening. So much faster than sewing and it will easily come apart later if you want to switch it out again.
That’s it! These placemats were on sale at Target this week, so I got new pillows for just over $3 each!
In other great deal news, these little cypress-like trees were just what I was wanting for the mantel. Found them at Lowes for just $9.98! The red pot wasn’t in the design plan, though, so rather than buy a new high-end gold pot, I decided to make a wrap with some poster board!
This awesome gold reflective poster board was on sale recently for 50¢ each at Hobby Lobby. So, I just cut a strip to the size of the pot, wrapped it around, and taped it together in back.
Five minutes to glam! Yep, I love it. You’ll see these on my mantel soon!
And since it’s a good time of year for saving money, I decided to skip buying a new fur tree skirt and opt for a fur throw instead! It was about half the price and I can use it to feed my throw addiction after Christmas, too! (Great selection at Marshall’s)
And speaking of tree skirts, you could always do what my mom does and wear it yourself! It’s an annualtradition for her to try it onbefore she puts it on the tree. I keep telling her she needs to wear this to a Christmas party, it’s so cute!
And don’t be surprised when you see this scarf on my dining room table as the perfect table runner! I love it! Plus it coordinates perfectly with Target’s great buffalo-checked seasonal scores!
So, there are a few of my favorite hacks to get you going this season! Tons of Christmas decor coming soon! Can’twait to see some of yours as well!
December 1, 2015 @ 4:53 pm
I love those ideas. I like the pillow idea best. I just knew there would be sewing involved and I was ready with the sewing machine. You made it look sooo easy.
December 3, 2015 @ 12:37 pm
Ha! Thanks! It really is easy 🙂
December 1, 2015 @ 8:45 pm
Great ideas!! Thanks for sharing!!!
December 3, 2015 @ 12:38 pm
You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
December 2, 2015 @ 5:56 am
All of these are so fun. Your mom is so cute to try on tree skirts?! : ) darling. Love the gold poster board trick…genius!
December 3, 2015 @ 12:38 pm
Thanks, Rachel!
December 2, 2015 @ 10:32 pm
That's funny, I was planning to use a faux fur throw for my tree skirt too! I got lovely fur stockings at pier one last year, so I'm looking for something coordinating. I also love the idea of using a galvanized bucket or a large basket.
December 3, 2015 @ 12:38 pm
Great minds think alike! Works great!
December 3, 2015 @ 12:25 pm
Hey Julie! Love your ideas! I was wondering where you found the chair in the picture showing the cute pillow in it…that is the vision I have in my head to go with my farmhouse table for our new dining room…smile! Have the best day! Blessings, Suzanne
December 3, 2015 @ 12:41 pm
Thanks, Suzanne! I got that chair a few years back at Ross. I still see similar ones now and then at Marshall's, etc. They also have similar ones at Restoration Hardware. Have a wonderful day yourself! 🙂
December 3, 2015 @ 3:11 pm
What great ideas! I love the pillow from a placemat! I love that it's one that I could do without having to find my sewing machine!
December 4, 2015 @ 2:56 pm
These are genius! I'm definitely going to be using some of your hacks…that's my kind of decorating! Your mom is too cute in that tree skirt…love that tradition! 🙂
Rachel@TrailerTrashTreasureTrove
December 6, 2015 @ 9:14 pm
Great ideas! What size pillow inserts do you need for the placemat pillow?
December 15, 2015 @ 3:59 am
BRILLIANT!!! The placemat as a pillow – LOVE!! And the posterboard cover – so CHIC!!!