Coordinating Cheap, Easy and Cohesive Neighborhood Decorations

We all want our rental houses and neighborhoods to look cozy, festive and coordinated for the holidays, but organizing matching decoration styles and requirements so that everyone is included and no one feels overwhelmed can be exhausting. To help, here are three simple, inexpensive and low-stress ideas for creating a cohesive neighborhood environment for the holidays.

Luminaries

Luminaries are easily made from long-burning candles and paper bags and can create elegant and uniform holiday decorations in a neighborhood. Use white bags to create a classic atmosphere or use a variety of colors to give the streets some spark. You can also cut the bags into holiday shapes for an added effect. These luminaries are so cheap and easy to create, your Homeowners or Neighborhood Association may be able to provide the supplies (in addition to the candles and bags, only sand and a lighter are required), and the instructions consist of three simple steps:

1.       Fill each bag with two cups of sand. (In lieu of sand three cups of kitty litter will work too.)

2.       Place a candle securely in the sand of each bag.

3.       Line the bags along your driveway or the sidewalk, and light the candles.  

Life-Size Holiday Cards

These cards mimic the dozens you receive every season, except they are big enough to be read by passing cars. Life-size greeting cards can be made or bought, and one in each yard of your neighborhood is sure to make every resident and visitor feel welcome. Bought cards are usually plastic – and thus durable and weather-proof – and can be found online or in some hardware stores. If you decide to make yours, you need a four by eight foot sheet of plywood, hinges and, if you desire, a couple two-inch pieces of plywood to act as supports.  Paint your desired message, picture or figure on the large sheet of plywood. Then cut it in half and secure with hinges. Stand the card up, place it in your yard and, if necessary, attach the supports. To increase visibility, place lights (or luminaries) in front of the card.

Mailbox Decorations

Instead of asking your neighborhood’s residents to embark on the time-consuming and pricey process of covering their houses and yards with lights, tinsel and holiday scenes, suggest focusing on the mailbox. String either large house lights or small interior ones (depending on what each resident has available) and garland around the box and post for quick decoration. Put on holiday stickers and hang an extra ornament or two for an added touch of the holiday spirit.