Holiday decor: How to decorate on a budget

CARLY WHIPPLE | Photo Illustration

The idea of the Christmas holiday can make one think of many things — Christmas lights, presents, the smell of Christmas trees and cocoa, and the sounds of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

On a student budget and schedule however, it can be hard to make a college apartment reflect the holidays.

Here are some quick tips to help students get into the holiday spirit.

Put extra wrapping paper to good use. Wrapping paper can add a festive touch to any room, according to www.collegefashion.net.

Wrap a door, bulletin board, lampshade, or anything in wrapping paper for an instant decoration. Don’t forget to add a bow.

You can use those Christmas cards to spice your room with a holiday banner. Just flip them over the top of some string or twine so the front faces outward and hang them above a doorway or down a hallway for a touch of the holidays anywhere.

Snowflakes can also be hung on the banner to give things a wintery feel.

Susanna Folkman, a senior studying elementary education, suggested that Christmas lights can also add the Christmas feel.

“A simple strand of lights hung around a room makes for a starry, cozy, Christmas-y atmosphere,” Folkman said.

Starting a tradition with your roommates can help everyone get in the spirit of the holiday. Folkman suggested themed parties and decorating together.

“Ugly sweater parties paired with a white elephant gift exchange is classic,” Folkman said. “Decorate cookies together. And be sure to decorate your apartment right before Thanksgiving break so you can come home to Christmas.”

So put on some Christmas music or your favorite holiday film and get creative around the apartment.

And for a little extra fun, don’t forget to hang mistletoe.