It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...(a frugal approach to decorating for the holidays)

repoured beeswax candles (made from old, used candles): $0
yardsale candle holders: 10 cents each
wooden creche received as a gift 2 years ago: $0
"FAMILY" plaque (bought on clearance at Bed, Bath & Beyond): $1.50
vintage looking biblical Christmas story book (bought from Goodwill last year): $4.00
Waterford crystal angel candleholder (wedding gift from the wasband's Grandma): $0
beeswax taper candle: $2.50
spice dough stars (made from things I already had on hand): $0
ribbon for star garland (bought with a 50% off coupon at JoAnn Fabrics): $1.50

Creating a gorgeous Christmas mantle for under $10? Priceless.

(I firmly believe that if Martha Stewart knew me in real life, she'd cry herself to sleep every night. It's easy to "do Christmas" - and everything else we associate with Martha - when you have a team of minions and an enormous bank account. It's a little trickier to pull off when you are doing it single-handedly and with a miniscule budget....)