Home and Garden

Ideas For DIY

New Home and Garden category!

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Hi everyone, my name is Amanda Formaro, and I would like to thank Craft Gossip for opening up a home and garden channel so I can share with you some of the amazing things I see each day! There are some extremely talented people out there sharing tutorials on how to jazz up your home, yard, and garden by using your own two hands. From creating a beautiful wreath out of scraps of fabric to refinishing a china hutch, and everything in between, I hope to share with you some impressive projects. Who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to jazz up something of yours as well! And of course, if you find one that you think fits here, please feel free to send it my way! You can email me at [email protected]

I’ve been crafty all my life, sketching as a teen, painting in my 20’s, lots of different craft projects in my 30’s, and for the past ten years I’ve been making crafts for kids. Since starting my blog, Crafts by Amanda, I have discovered a new world. A world full of talented people willing to share their how-to’s and where-for’s, and so I hope to bring them to you as well.

I have quite a few projects to share in the coming days, so I hope you’ll be following along with me. 🙂

Thanks for welcoming me to Craft Gossip. I hope you’ll tell your friends if you enjoy what you see!

Comments

  1. Great – look forward to even more great ideas from Craft Gossip on the new home & garden feature!!

  3. This is great! I looked through all of the posts so far and am so glad to see this new category. Came over since one of my favorite blogs (Meridian Road) was featured.

  4. I will be starting my garden soon for the year and look forward to new ideas. I also need storage ideas. I have a large yard with a small area to store items.

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Christmas on a Budget – How to Style Your Christmas Table for Under $50 Without Buying New Tableware

Christmas decorating can become expensive one small purchase at a time.

A runner does not seem like much. Neither do the matching napkins. Then there are candles, place-card holders and a little arrangement for the middle.

Before you know it, the table has cost more to decorate than you intended.

This Christmas table plan sets a clear limit: less than A$50 in additional decorating costs for six people, using plates, glasses, cutlery and furniture you already own.

Food, drinks and household tableware are not included. The figures below are spending limits, not quoted retail prices.

You do not need to spend the full amount. Coming in at $12 because you reused nearly everything is an excellent result.

Make your budget before choosing your theme

Start with what is available at home, then allocate money only to missing details.

Possible purchaseMaximum allowance
Napkins, if neededA$8
One roll of ribbonA$6
Paper for cards or decorationsA$4
Battery  lightingA$10
One missing centrepiece elementA$8
Delivery, batteries or other extrasA$10
Planned maximumA$46

The remaining $4 keeps the plan below $50 and gives you a little breathing room.

If an item costs more than its allowance, substitute something rather than automatically increasing the total.

Decide what you can skip

For this table, leave these off the shopping list:

  • New dinner plates.
  • Decorative charger plates.
  • Bought place-card holders.
  • Matching Christmas glasses.
  • Individual decorations for every chair.
  • A ready-made floral centrepiece.

None is essential to a welcoming Christmas lunch.

A bare timber table, everyday crockery and a consistent colour detail can look lovely.

Pick an inexpensive colour connection

Red and cream work well when you own plain dishes and traditional Christmas decorations.

For another option, use green paper cards and natural twine. If your plates are patterned, choose one colour from the pattern instead of introducing several more.

A single roll of Christmas ribbon on Amazon is an optional way to connect the place settings. Compare length and delivered cost, then make one sample bow to calculate how much you need.

Do not buy a second colour simply because it is suggested beside the first one.

Build the centrepiece from your decorations box

Use an existing shallow bowl and a few ornaments.

Our Christmas balls centrepiece gives you an arrangement idea, but a loose bowl display avoids buying glue and preserves your decorations for next year.

Choose colours that work with your ribbon.

If you do not own baubles, a bowl of whole fruit already included in your grocery plan can work instead. Keep it unpainted and separate from craft materials so it remains useful afterwards.

Make place cards from scraps

Cut six pieces of cardstock to the same size and fold them in half.

Write the names clearly. Add a small drawn star or a strip of leftover paper if you like.

Consistent size and placement matter more than elaborate lettering.

For another handmade detail, browse our Christmas napkin-holder ideas. Pick a design that uses materials you own rather than treating the entire collection as a supply list.

Decorate behind the table if space is tight

A small dining table can feel crowded quickly.

One paper-bag star on the wall nearby can provide a festive focal point while leaving room for serving dishes. Use suitable fixings and keep paper away from heat.

This is particularly useful when your everyday table is doing its best to accommodate extra guests.

Count the extras before paying

Include delivery fees, batteries, adhesive and any additional packets needed to finish the project.

Keep a running total on your phone. If a purchase would push you over budget, remove something or choose a simpler option.

After setting the table, take a photograph and note what you used. Next year, you can repeat the look without shopping from scratch.

A budget Christmas table works because you make deliberate choices. Spend where it helps, reuse where you can and leave the unnecessary extras in the shop.