Decorating on the cheap for St Patrick’s Day fun
The holidays can be expensive when it comes to decorating. No matter what you are celebrating, the cost of pre-made, commercial decorations can quickly eat into your budget. Instead of breaking the bank this St. Patrick’s Day, save your pot of gold and create some easy and fun homemade decorations instead. Whether you tackle the projects with your children in tow or do them on your own, they will quickly brighten and cheer up your house.
Green Carnations
Have you ever seen the science experiment where school children turn a white carnation a different color? Well, for St. Patrick’s Day, why not turn a bouquet of inexpensive white carnations green or rainbow colored? Simply splice the bottom of the carnation’s stem and place it into a tall vase filled with water that has been heavily tinted with food coloring. It may take a few hours to a day to achieve the coloring that you want, so plan ahead if you are going to be using them for a party or gathering. Since you are using food coloring, be sure that the vase you use for the dyed water is not a good family vase.
Rainbow Mobile
Break out the construction paper and create miniature rainbows using different colors of paper. Punch a hole at the top of each rainbow and hang it from a wire hanger that has been bent to create a mobile. You could also nail together two small wooden dowels to form an “x” and hang the rainbows from there using varying lengths of colored ribbon. Hang the mobile in your kitchen, dining room or in a guest room if visitors will be coming to stay.
Clover Coasters
If you are feeling crafty, break out the sewing machine and some green fabric. Cut a four-leaf clover template large enough to accommodate a glass of your favorite St. Patrick’s Day beverage from a piece of plain paper or card stock. Use it to trace the outline for clover beverage coasters. You will need two clovers for each coaster, as well as a piece of clover-shaped batting that will go in-between. Sew the batting to the wrong side of one of the clover fabric pieces. Then, put the good side of the fabric clovers together and sew them, leaving an opening where you can turn the coaster right side out. After the coaster is right side out, stitch up the opening and sew around the edge of the clovers, about 1/4-inch in from the edge, to keep them flat and from bunching.
Decorating your home for St. Patrick’s Day would not be complete without a dish of colorful candy or Irish Potatoes. If you will be entertaining, do not forget to put on some Ham and Cabbage, have a supply of Irish inspired beverages and play some music from the Old Country. Your guests will admire your clever decorating ideas and your budget will be saved from unnecessary spending. This St. Patrick’s Day you really will still have your pot of gold.
About the Author
Jessica Ackerman, writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, your best metal wall art store, and offers aspiring home designers the opportunity to decorate with metal art.
