Decorating On A Shoestring

     Your heart may say "Ho, Ho, Ho, " but your decorating budget may say "No, No, No!" this season.  Still, there are plenty of ways to spruce up your home without spending a fortune.

    We met with David Siders of "Experience" in Schenectady, and he walked us through the steps for making a low-cost wreath for the holidays.  He says all it takes is a little imagination and often, items you already have around your home.

   Take for example, a wreath that you can start making by fashioning a circle out of a wire coat hanger.  The hook of the hanger can be the hook that holds up your wreath.   "Just take the cardboard off and make it round as best as possible," explains Siders. 

   Once you get the shape right, take fake greenery that has a wire in it and bend it around the form, attaching it with more wire.  "Maybe you have an artificial tree that needs to be pruned a little bit! " jokes Siders, when asked where to find the greenery for this particular wreath. 

   One you have the base, dig out old ornaments or buy them inexpensively at a dollar store.  Many craft stores already have holiday items half-price.  "Decorations can be ornaments of plastic," says Siders, "It doesn't have to be good, expensive ornaments."

    Making elegant bows just takes a little practice.  Siders says first you make a loop and hold it down with your thumb.  You make loops and twist them at the center in the back, making sure the top side of the ribbon always remains facing up.  Loop it over again and again until you've made a bow you like and fasten with wire where you're holding it with your thumb.  Even if you make streamers, it's all one piece of ribbon---no cutting!

   And don't worry that you lack the talent, says Siders; anything goes!

   "We try to do it freestyle rather than it being so symmetrical and perfect, " says Siders.

  Siders also showed us how to make a fresh wreath of mixed greens, wrapped around a metal form with wire.  We found both for 4 dollars.

"Keep it very taut as you wrap it, " says Siders, "You can always go back and add berries and pine cones, natural things."

   Use toys, fruits, spoons, Siders says---you're only limited by your imagination.  And the cost?

"I would say you could do it for less than 25 dollars, " says Siders.  Or less if you have many of the elements in your own home.  Visions of sugarplums----on a budget!