Christmas is right around the corner, and there is no better way to get into the holiday spirit than to put up decorations. Christmas decor can be expensive, so why not make homemade ones? Here are a few easy ideas that can help put your house into the festive spirit with just a few dollars and a bit of time.

One easy way to decorate a tree or mantelpiece is a dried orange and cranberry garland. The only materials needed are a bag of oranges, a bag of cranberries, and either string or thread. First, preheat the oven to 200℉. Next, cut oranges into thin slices (thicker slices will take longer to dry out). Then, pat orange slices with a paper towel to remove excess juice. Lay the slices on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Be sure to check on the slices every hour to see they are not burning. When the slices are done, they should be totally dry to the touch. The baking process can take anywhere from three to seven hours, depending on the thickness of the slices. String the oranges on either thread or twine to create a long garland.

Another fun way to decorate is with salt dough ornaments. The ingredients for the salt dough are: two cups of flour, one cup of salt, and about ¾ cups of water. First, preheat the oven to 200℉. To make the salt dough, mix the flour and salt together, and slowly add the water until it has a dough-like consistency. Then, roll the dough out until it is about ¼ of an inch thick. Next, use cookie cutters to make different shaped ornaments. There should be about 10 ornaments in total, depending on the size. After each shape is cut out, cut a hole in the dough for hanging the ornaments. Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes, and flip the ornaments halfway through. They should be hard to the touch when they are done. Once the ornaments have cooled off, hang them with either thread, ribbon or twine.

Enjoy the new decorations, and have a happy holiday season!