Gone are the days when we had the time, energy, and money to deck the halls for the kids and family.
Yet, a little festive decor does tend to brighten a winter evening.
Here are some super easy and very cheap ways to usher in the season.
* Cranberry floaters. Get out a pretty clear glass or vase. Maybe put a sprig of real or plastic evergreen in the bottom and fill with water. On the top, load it up with Christmasy red cranberries. It will last for weeks.
* Christmas candy. Get some old fashioned hard Christmas candy for your table and pour it into a pretty dish. Try a covered dish if your feline friend scouts around the table!
* Super cheap LED lights. You can buy a string of multi-colored LED lights for under a buck at aliexpress.com. That's right — about 99 cents. Use some tape to attach them to a window frame or anywhere you want. They are powered by USB, generally the same cable that powers a phone.
* Set a pretty table with nice placemats, pretty dishes, and candles. Leave it out the whole month and then use it on Christmas with a special dinner.
* Put a Christmas wreath on the inside of your door!
* Get a pre-lit tabletop tree. Just a foot or so tall, they use very little electricity, but deliver the right festive mood.
