When it comes to Christmas shop owners have a lot to compete with, as most shop windows are covered in flashing lights, sparkles and fake snow. Not only do shop owners have to pay for these decorations but they also have to spend their own time putting them up and making sure their shops look perfect. December is an expensive month for everyone and we have already given top layout tips for your shop but here are some ways to prevent forking out too much money on your Christmas decorations…

Gingerbread Fun

Get out your recipe book and cook up some gingerbread shapes; from reindeer and Santas to Christmas trees and stockings. You can add icing and chocolate buttons to decorate the biscuits, however after rolling out the mixture and cutting the shape you must remember to add a hole in the top so you can thread a ribbon through it once baked. These decorations don’t just look good they also make your shop smell great too!

Homemade Baubles

Baubles can be very expensive these days and you can end up spending a small fortune decorating your Christmas tree. However, all you need is some tissue paper, scissors and wire or strong thread to make yourself some homemade baubles with a modern edge! Make the baubles different sizes and colours to add a bit of variety to your tree.

Rustic Pine Cones

Using pine cones to create Christmas decorations is also a great way to decorate your shop. Go out at the weekend or after work and collect as many pine cones as possible. All you need is a lick of paint and some glitter and they will transform your shop. You could also fill a glass jar with the pine cones and add some Christmas lights for a magical effect!

Candy Cane Reeves

Candy canes can create simple yet affective Christmas decorations and they don’t cost too much either! Buy a large packet of candy canes and glue each one to a ribbon, tying the ribbon at the front. This will create a ring of candy canes which you can then fill in the middle with poinsettias.

Button Up!

Buttons can be used to create a cute little hanging Christmas trees and all you need is some left over (preferably coloured) buttons and some wire. Thread the buttons onto the wire with small ones at the bottom for the trunk and then add them from large to small and hey presto! You have a Christmas tree! Remember to leave some wire at the top so you can tie them round the tree branch.

Here are some top tips on saving money on Christmas decorations:

1. Buy LED lights for your shop as they use a whopping 98% less electricity to run which will end up saving you money. Also, don’t waste money by leaving lights on when they can’t be seen.
2. Grab your Christmas decorations in the January sales for next year as they are usually heavily discounted.
3. Wait until the time is right to buy your Christmas decorations if you are getting them this year. The later you leave it the cheaper they will be as retailers reduce prices just before Christmas.
4. If you don’t have the money to buy loads of decorations then start small and build up your collection over time. You will then have a mixture of new decorations and homemade ones which will add a unique touch to your shop.
5. If you do invest in big and expensive shop decorations make sure that they are covered on your shop insurance. If you don’t you could end up worse off if anything was to happen to them.

If you are still struggling for ideas on how to decorate your shop then have a look on the internet to find thousands of unique and fun ideas. Decorating your shop doesn’t have to be costly if you plan ahead and take the time to make your own decorations, but this can only be done if you make the time to do it. You may have to spend time out of work creating these decorations but it will be well worth it when you see how much money you’ve saved!

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