Funky, Free and Frugal Christmas Decorations

Paper chains are tacky decorations, right? And to make one from chewing gum wrappers is the utmost in tackiness, right? Well, try this decoration just for fun. It's free, so it won't hurt.

Take the foil wrapper from a piece of gum and fold it as if it still had gum in it. Fold this in half lengthwise, then in half again, as many times as you can. You should have a tight little shiny length of foil that doesn't bend smoothly. Bend it anyway and fasten the ends together with a needle and thread. Put a dab of glue on the thread to make it stay better. Make another one and slip one end through this before sewing it together.

Make several, then stand back and decide whether this free decoration really is tacky. Chances are, you won't think so. To really spiff it up, hot glue a sprig of holly or mistletoe to it (real or plastic). Use it to adorn a doorway, a display of decorations or the Christmas tree.

Substitute used aluminum foil for the gum wrappers for a slightly different effect, or try candy wrappers, or rectangles cut from magazine pictures. Let your imagination roam.

Pinecones are traditional Christmas decorations and if you live where they're available for free (as in, you have a live evergreen tree!) you can use them to your heart's content. That they're free won't detract one bit from their charm. Simple baskets from your kitchen, bath or craft room, become attractive containers for piles of pinecones.

If you don't have a basket handy, use a bowl or a box that you already have (we're talking free, right?). A shiny stainless steel bowl will look amazingly festive when filled with pine cones and bits of Christmas ribbon leftover from your wrapping tasks. Cover a shoebox with wrapping paper, inside and out, then fill it with pinecones.

You can dip pinecones in candle wax and sprinkle them with glitter (or sugar or salt) while the wax is still hot. (Be careful! Use tongs to hold the pinecones while you dip and sprinkle.) This makes a beautiful and almost free decoration.

For another free decoration from paper, carefully examine catalogs, newspapers and magazines during the holiday season. You're looking for pictures of Christmas scenes, figures or colors. You'll find free pictures of decorated Christmas trees, Santa Claus, elves, stars, canes, bells and more in bright colors.

Choose your favorites, then make a collage from them on cardboard or pasteboard. Experiment by completely covering the board with pictures, overlapping some at angles or whatever looks good to you.

When you have all the pictures arranged the way you want them, glue them on, then paint the whole thing with white glue mixed half and half with water. Don't soak it; just a light coat will do. You can give it another coat later if you want, but if you put the first coat on too heavily, the paper will curl and colors might run. It only takes a little of this glue and water mixture so don't mix more than you need. A tablespoon of each should do it.

Paper beads can be made for free and make a charming decoration for a small Christmas tree or as a window or table decoration. First, find a brightly colored picture (glossy magazine pages work very well), and cut strips from it, starting wider and cutting narrower as you go.

The size is up to you, but if you want to see how it works, try cutting about a half inch wide strip, then narrowing it slowly to a quarter inch or less. Roll the wide end around a toothpick or heavy darning needle and continue rolling until you get to the end of the strip, then fasten with a dab of sticky glue.

Dip them in a solution of half white glue and half water and slip the needle or toothpick out and let them dry. String them on wire, thread or string. Vary the sizes and/or colors or keep them all the same.

If you have old candles around, you can make wax Christmas tree decorations easily. First, melt the candle in a double boiler (carefully - wax is flammable), then pour into molds.

What molds? Try free form on oiled aluminum foil, or fold foil to create shapes. Cookie molds can be used (and cleaned up and used for cookies again).

If you're really handy with pliers and tin snips, you can make molds from tuna or cat food cans. Cut off the rim about an inch and bend it to the shape you want. Be sure to wear heavy gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.

Decorate your wax shapes with glitter or sugar or salt crystals before it sets.

Get your imagination going! Christmas is a time to enjoy doing things, not to worry about the cost of things, so don't let the cost of decorations cut into your fun.