Frugal Family Fun

Frugal Family Fun: Dual Décor

All Season Accents that are Fun for the Whole Family

By Jennifer Dumke

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but decorating for the season can also be the most hectic, expensive and stressful. Hours spent detangling string lights, money spent on mums only to toss them at first frost and kids who can’t put their electronic devices down can wear anybody out. Don’t ditch the decorating yet. These fun and family-friendly finds will keep your home looking festive and your kids active without draining your finances.

The warmth of lights and sparkling glitter are always eye-catching, even if kept simple. Create a glowing centerpiece that will look good throughout both holidays and let your kids get creative at the same time. Start out with a scavenger hunt for pine cones and fallen leaves. Next, lay out some newspaper and get the glitz on by rolling the pinecones in glue and dusting with gold and silver glitter. To ensure your leaves make the transition from one holiday to another, spray paint with metallic tones. Next, take a large clear vase and a strand of miniature battery-powered LED lights and have fun filling with your festive finds while incorporating the mini lights. Finish off by adding a large bow using thick metallic or neutral colored ribbon catching display. Another holiday hopping decorating idea is a drop crystal tree branch. What’s fun about this project is the only supplies needed are a few packs of acrylic crystals of varying sizes, gold spray paint and river rock. Start out by taking a fun family nature walk to find the perfect tree branch. You can go a little big and cut down when pruning. Once you have the perfect sized branch, go outside and spray it with metallic gold paint. Some may choose to spray white or silver but that may look more like Christmas. Next, use a decorative vase or pail and

to hide the battery pack. Place on table or any surface for an eyefill with river rocks to serve as the base for the tree to stand in. Finally, load up the crystals! Give your kids their own baggie of crystals and let them place all over the branch. Place larger branches on the floor to add some glimmer to a corner while smaller branches can serve as an eccentric centerpiece.

While enjoying dual décor may be time-saving, economical and fun for the family, it does pose challenges for cleaning. Keep it simple by placing your vase or decorative centerpiece on a tray or gathered fabric that can easily be slid over or removed altogether while tidying up.

HOLIDAY SALE! Save 20 to 50% off all lighting, accessories and décor

8th & Minnesota, Sioux Falls, SD • 336-7798 • www.mahlanders.com

One place for Every Vision Need

Our diverse group of eye surgeons give you access to the right care, right when you need it, with comprehensive sub-specialties in... • Cataracts • Pediatric eye conditions • Glaucoma • Ophthalmic plastic surgery • Retinal diseases • Diseases and surgery of the cornea

Call or go online to request an appointment today.

(605)336-6294 OphthalmologyLTD.com

David R. West,MD • Bryan J. Hammer,MD Gregory D. Osmundson,MD • Eric R.Thomas,MD Dustin L.Dierks,MD • Ryan L.Geraets,MD Michael K.Eide,MD • Elizabeth A. Atchison, MD Elise J. In’t Veld, MD • Andrea L.McCann,OD Emily L.Walters,OD