Do you gaze in awe and wonder at the beautifully decorated Christmas trees you see in department stores and wonder how you could ever afford to decorate your tree like that?  Creating the tree of your dreams is never out of reach with a little creativity and planning.

Some of the best decorations are cheap or even free!  First, go outside and collect some pinecones.  Pinecones are a free decorative accent courtesy of Mother Nature, and can be used as an ornament or accent, and can easily be spray painted or dipped to match any theme.

For a traditional look, create an old-fashioned popcorn garland.  Just pop some corn in an air popper, allow it to cool and dry out for a few hours, and string them together with a needle using fishing line or a strong thread. (This may not be a good idea if you have pets or small children who will try to eat the popcorn.)  Another food-themed garland that will add a splash of color and a touch of sparkle is a candy garland. You can create one of these easily by purchasing several bags of hard candy wrapped in the twisted cellophane wrappers. Choose an assortment of colors and finishes to match your chosen theme, if you have one.  Then simply staple the end of each wrapper to another wrapper, and keep stapling until you have a long chain.

Tinsel is another inexpensive way to add some sparkle to your Christmas tree. An 8-foot length of tinsel garland is typically about $1, so you can really add some shine to your entire tree for less than $5. You can also find thinner strands of tinsel garland for a more elegant look. Glass ball ornaments of varying sizes and shapes in coordinating colors will also make your tree stand out.

Ribbon is a versatile Christmas tree decoration that isn’t very costly, especially if you take advantage of the wired ribbons offered at dollar and discount stores.  Purchase enough length to tie a large bow at the top of your tree, then allow floor-length pieces of ribbon to hang loosely down the sides of the tree. You can also use wired-edge ribbon as a garland for a designer touch.

Last but certainly not least, check out the after-Christmas sales to get great deals on any of those pricey decorations you’ve dreamed of but don’t want to pay full price for.  You can buy decorations after Christmas for as much as 80 or 90 percent off, making that $20 glass ornament less than $5. If you’re creative and are willing to do a little bargain hunting, you can create a beautiful tree on any budget.