How much do people spend on Christmas decorating?

[2moretrees]

How much do people spend on Christmas decorating and what do you decorate?

I have a tree that I set up so there is no cost there. I usually buy a few nice ornaments each year to add to my collection which runs about $50 (I will be passing on those this year and get only one). I also but a package or two of candycanes to hang on the branches.

I decorate the table with some holiday candles and put a string of lights above the fireplace with more candles and pine branches and cones from a tree in the neighborhood.

I probably spend $100 or more.

[DivaJen]

We buy a fresh tree, so that can run $50 or more. I either buy or make DD an ornament each year. This year I bought a very miniature potted 'tree' for our dining room table for $10. We have plenty of lights and that's something I try to buy after the holidays when they're cheap, if need be. I have a fake greenery garland that we hang up, and I don't usually buy any fresh greenery aside from the tree. I'll buy a few new candles, but won't spend more than $10-$15 there.

So how much is that? $70-$80 I guess?

[miclason]

We (ex hubby and I) used to splurge...In our defense: that 6.5 feet tree did look a lot smaller in the store, standing next to a 12 feet one!!! (wow, that was 12 years ago!)...so, we HAD to add over the years, or the tree just looked like it had gotten lost!!...once it was full, we kept buying 1 or 2 ornaments per year... I kept the tree, and the tradition...While I don't buy Hallmark keepsake ornaments anymore (so sad, because I really love them!), I try to buy at least 1 or 2 new ornaments/year...no more than $10 between the two...last time I bought lights was 2 years ago (the maid had put the old lights away and we couldn't find them in time for Xmas!!) ...I also have a lot of knick-knacks like Santa Clauses and angels and nutcrackers (oh, and I also got to keep the Nativity set!)....Plus, we turn on the Xmas lights at around 6, and they are usually out by 9pm....so, we don't spend much on that!

[PrincessPerky]

This was going to be the first year we went back to buying fresh tree, I love the smell and such. But other than that we don't spend any money befor christmas, now after christmas we might find the occasional sale, or not. Usually not.

[PennyPincher]

I usually spend about $50/year on new stuff ~ ornaments, a pine bush or garland, and candles. I do most of that after the holiday and enjoy the deep discounts, and surprise for myself when taking out the decorations the next year. I haven't even bought Christmas paper in two years because I bought such generous rolls at a wholesale club. If you add in electricity...now THAT'S what would add up! Outdoor lights, the 9' tree, the fireplace (since the stockings look better when it's on...) It's all part of the season to me. Happy Holidays to you all!

[2moretrees]

Originally Posted by PennyPincher

If you add in electricity...now THAT'S what would add up! Outdoor lights, the 9' tree, the fireplace (since the stockings look better when it's on...) It's all part of the season to me. Happy Holidays to you all!

Yes. If I included the extra electricity that would raise my Xmas spending quite a bit too. Has anyone tried those Xmas lights that Jeffrey mentioned that are supposed to hardly cost anything to run?

[terry1156]

I was just reading an article that said people will spend about $8 billion on holiday decorations this year.

I have the LED lights and they work GREAT. We have them on our inside tree, on two outside trees and all around the house. They are well worth the investment and if you put up a lot of lights, you will see that your energy bill is a lot less.

[2moretrees]

Thanks Terry. I just took out my lights and several were broken. Since that means I will need to get some new ones, I will try the lights.

[mountainmist]

I never realized that so much money was spent on decorating for the holidays, the poster mentions reading in 2004 that EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS will be spent on decorations.

[mountainmist]

I never realized that so much money was spent on decorating for the holidays, the poster mentions reading in 2004 that EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS will be spent on decorations.

[lgslgs]

$0 here.

Snow on the trees outside and enjoying the lights on our neighbor's pine tree is plenty for us.

And if there's enough snow we might make a snow man.

Lynda

[geojen]

I absolutely love Christmas and Christmas decorating, so over the years I've spent a bit if money, but not so much anymore. I always buy a mistletoe memories ornament for the family, so that's about 15 bucks. I like snowmen knicknacks, so if I find a cute thingy that is relatively cheap I'll usually buy it. But, I bet I spend less than 100 on average, now.

[JanH]

We always include something in the Christmas budget for a new this or that. A new ornament or table decoration. We don't have a real tree anymore (hubby allergies), so I buy a new ornament on occasion. We do the dining table up. We used to put a tiny tree in DD's room. Sometimes outside lights. These neighborhoods used to have themes, but not anymore. One thing my Hubby did eons ago that is a lifesafer for me is to put the tree lights on a remote control. All I've ever had to do is push the button. When we get our door replaced this year, we might get a wreath. We also do up the fireplace mantel. And a small crystal nativity scene my mother gave me long ago and a carved santa that I got from a lady I knew (expensive). So I guess I don't add much on decorating anymore, just the occasional replacement or addition to something. Maybe $50 in a year?

[JanH]

But I've been known to buy new Christmas music. We decorate, cook, and wrap to it quite often. so that is an expense.

[Staceyy]

Nothing,I recycle my tree and decorations and wrap gifts in leftover newspaper.

[mountainmist]

Originally Posted by lgslgs

$0 here.

Snow on the trees outside and enjoying the lights on our neighbor's pine tree is plenty for us.

And if there's enough snow we might make a snow man.

Lynda

Well for sure, it's not you & I who are filling up all those popular seasonal concept stores - fact is that maybe every third or fourth year I might find an ornament at a garage sale which I like, but I am so appalled with that 8-Billion $$$$$$ on Christmas decor that we just might not bring out the artificial tree this year, I think I need a break from consumerism, I simply had no idea how many people purchased so many non-essentials each & every year.

8 billion.

WOW.

[mountainmist]

Originally Posted by lgslgs

$0 here.

Snow on the trees outside and enjoying the lights on our neighbor's pine tree is plenty for us.

And if there's enough snow we might make a snow man.

Lynda

Well for sure, it's not you & I who are filling up all those popular seasonal concept stores - fact is that maybe every third or fourth year I might find an ornament at a garage sale which I like, but I am so appalled with that 8-Billion $$$$$$ on Christmas decor that we just might not bring out the artificial tree this year, I think I need a break from consumerism, I simply had no idea how many people purchased so many non-essentials each & every year.

8 billion.

WOW.

[Ima saver]

We use to really decorated the outside with lots and lots of lights all in the shape of christmas trees. We then added some moving deer that lit up. We had a live tree everyyear and I have never needed to buy ornaments, I have plenty of them.
Last year, we decided to cut down, so we did not put up all the lights outside. We did put out the moving deer and I bought a lighted snowman. I might just add one thing like that a year. Also, no more big tree, I bought a small fake one last year. There is just the two of us for thanksgiving and christmas.

[MonkeyMama]

0

WE invested in a fake tree long ago. & bought a lot of ornaments on sale in the januaries of past.

Not in our budget these days.

[Elgin526]

Now that I have most of my "stuff", I spend less than $30 each year, that's mostly to replace broken/burned out items or to replace something that has become really out of date. Although I may buy a new pre-lit fake tree after Christmas this year, my current one was bought when I lived in a tiny condo, now I have large living room with 9 foot ceilings...and that means more ornaments and garland and...well, we'll have to see how good the post Christmas cleance sales are, I guess!