![12 Days of Easy Inexpensive Christmas Ideas 12 Days of Easy Inexpensive Christmas Ideas](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMwe6BzcuavGxR_yqNhfe3LfeiN3mS0gYZ1cuUq-3omdLm5CrUVC8YliC4HQ74UnxQsGaEesMhnZZfrn9LLRAdeTiaoLZP0ArlLnE3i4YoWmxrXFMtBpIF6Vb89UH5BAW0AaMWkUKGYm1/s280/12-days-of-christmas.jpg)
On the tenth and eleventh day of Christmas
Beyond the Picket Fence gave to me
Old book ideas and a decorated entryway.
Um, ya, that doesn't rhyme and yes, I am "cheating" and combining two days again because there are all sorts of thrift store Christmas decor ideas in my entryway.
![12 Days of Easy Inexpensive Christmas Ideas pallet wood shelf decorated for Christmas with thrift store finds](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eY6wqZsiFmepDMwenRbJp_U2N79484bLbIYUz93p5lo4NHmf1xxE2vdqBnbe2IlhzQF_-ITydHNavkroXW1VU9kNDOC_73n9pDn5x2SvPGk9Ad7XFvwQrkbudR7ZBoWSyNvLR1zgiJ4B/s280/pallet-wood-shelf-decorated-for-christmas-with-thrift-store-finds-and-upcycles.jpg)
![12 Days of Easy Inexpensive Christmas Ideas use an old stack of book for Christmas decor](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauAUpG2fQqewnHUOQhZsOrLlW6wOIJuw1GeXyOGBYpzislz7ewuuVqhEgtWZlH_Lcq0IbBdQNjHeKrRIsauXZCLmb7N-KKhOGJgaVzuJ08VlPgtdB1iI8r3ruKW0pXFUiqsITGSHoclQm/s280/stack-of-old-books.jpg)
So, let's start with a stack of old books.
![Paint a Tree on Old Books Paint a Tree on Old Books](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejxqAfgzhbwaiWAy42PjUgWnB0feNZXYcA3REDv0FrxkkgX1jccORQM-BghUUuCg-BPQyVNS2WiWeFkcU1qSoWWy_WmG0HozU9WrAo2ZTfCQFP-2RRSpmoUnpNeQyHa-L75X8ZfvDER7V/s280/pine-tree-painted-on-old-books.jpg)
Now, if you are a bibliophile, look away. BUT, I have said it before and will say it again, thrift stores take loads of books to the dump on a regular basis. I would rather use them, even if it isn't for reading, than see them at the dump.
![12 Days of Easy Inexpensive Christmas Ideas paint a pine tree on old books for christmas decoration](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fy9B65GXcX3abhD6CILO4KW2Z1of6xhqbg6BGnZwOSHuVIVW1KUo0sFfdS74SLHmj9mCaSR4I-9n38hFeAIoPkW2JnwHQgU03vf5KAV8tDiqf6ccugZ8x1NZPGZ8Yi8DrJPBKbDoTBsO/s280/IMG_20171208_133946718.jpg)
Sketch a tree on a stack of old, thick books and paint using craft paints. I start by painting the trunk and then using a lighter, brighter colored green, making small brush stroke lines. I then add a darker green over top.
Using an older, scrubby brush I add snow to the branches and dotted snowflakes.
![Hand Painted Pine Tree on Old Books paint a pine tree on thrift store books](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs47OcyNWTRlaZSTCyDe39o7bXGfooPTuOzIcjcZvSu5ZbVaObhJa3iaezDmQQq43xu4mei3HdmQ6kGFmY6V2219tBM3oRxRkHLxl9068TjanTYb9-tMILr4WiYmziVeIep_Q0xR6a1hP6/s280/add-snow-to-the-pine-tree.jpg)
You also can paint words, paint the book edges blue and then paint a snowman, or whatever you like.
![Paper Chains for Christmas use old book pages to make paper chains for Christmas](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__jA1MeC4eNtNFYRkcRrawqwL8IFFmVaICDEcd9XyHwrnOmqHAm_-aZ1ReStYptEUZag8obXshV1GTYU4UpKWXJ81HCCvLqw4D6bN-1DD6pwGhG6JzQXbcKHdWBwfoRAEaNMFMdGYNvHg/s280/paper-chain.jpg)
I used other old books to make paper chains. I used these when I sold at a show in November. I wanted a random, drapey look so I just hung them willy-nilly from the hooks. I made this shelf last year for my stockings and then moved it to the entryway. There are directions for it in my NEW BOOK (shameless plug), Wood Pallet Wonders HERE.
![Thrift Store Christmas Tree use an old metal truck for Christmas decor](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_ddv1_ON3EWl3NcDIMDVFkmO7LHfyum_Jf-sg7gxE_Y5TK8pX2YMDJFAAuJToWShXV0SsThqtatP57GUnHmWXy9EELQEQgVzbI4bhK-yIxQw8yOMoBiMsWSBf1bguZj5Tk4vRkvL1yZt/s280/red-tonka-truck-with-tree.jpg)
I found a metal, red Tonka truck for $2 at Salvation Army and added a tree to it. The skis are another project from the book.
![Sock Stretcher Christmas Decor Sock Stretcher Christmas Decor](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wKGtyeYt38Z8mkdf_UehuAEEBJ1429QJiAzB0mNfKicqLl90NkBCk617VDT0TtdY5HzchrA4Qt0wYD_iXu88DWV2Dw39tgLKSifVrpnb7NKN_FS91UtTOVYwgSSzkJD5bpjD2mjrXGni/s280/old-sock-stretcher-christmas-idea.jpg)
I sock stretcher from the thrift store got the Christmas treatment,
![Thrift Store Decor for Christmas adorable ice skates from the thrift store](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUR2ZGXxYlcpwo93WQgbjSV7RpMQ7zlT7_BdXe0oFKGIQ1KJsvhMPGqwTchxCoxG74YgFU4Ihh44TuMHXjoDMSf70a7zWllzVh34F7KUSt-0Vy-N6kgqmJkPAnd5vvqRaqiSLtaKmMjN2/s280/ice-skates-from-the-thrift-store.jpg)
and these tiny ice skates from a thrift store are a favorite. I showed you how to make the NOEL garland HERE.
![Pine boughs on a Pallet Wood Shelf for Christmas Pine boughs on a Pallet Wood Shelf for Christmas](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5bujigpwecmIGH6M0zo7bGMB6WZlSLw4aezlMMaMQcXs-uPRaUn3h9-K3ms41iiZYlxy8qP_1cjy28gJFw3TsGZoFlqh5qoUNV9CtBRZfE1jvjIJxmU1frZwyR-wTFk9ZmjTis5EVdlt/s280/drape-paper-chains-on-a-pallet-wood-shelf.jpg)
Fresh pine boughs filled out the shelf.
![Old School Desk Decorated for Christmas Old School Desk Decorated for Christmas](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6x9gyjR40Z9-7qXx8KiF0pyuu2koRW1Y47fOUiCUmJRL_TiEBsu-Yft6l3EeReQijzdtC6JVJ15euE-eK_5iNUuIhewLeuHkczBeKnFfa5qOUN8w_Mn-EHK_0gV3qq8i8d_zBIM9p38q/s280/old-school-desk.jpg)
My old school desk (I do live in an 85 year old schoolhouse) holds my thrift store Tom Thumb children's typewriter and a basket of pinecones.
![Make a Chalkboard on an Old Hollow Core Door Make a Chalkboard on an Old Hollow Core Door](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn5Fu7gJvY2_6gFyUnIgUlusCjKWmzdVW4HMepV0ksldIuL9K9b8TowkldHwLcgbuk6BkWcAe47ZvD93wy5q7fwbAaKBaaCGEaLTnzFpbwnWYOB2UOPAa2R4x1yIAMhFd2CdZx4G2CLWX/s280/christmas-chalkboard.jpg)
I made the chalkboard last year on a piece of an old hollow-core door (easy to find at Habitat for Humanity Re-stores). I framed it out and change the sentiment on it seasonally.
![Thrift Store Decor for Christmas paint a tree on thrift store books and make paper chains to decorate for Christmas](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKMnb31YR7ny37CNnQNwU_TRqFaBUE04wVvgZGzvHDypy-UXFDgYQkl3aMdgbnhq599Yj4zigSR4E-PRCIDB2unZsW5eT4K98M9PkNtmwwr0tOhZjZMGMnxfk2M_MraSmHF8jKkHSmtTV/s280/old-books-for-christmas-decor.jpg)
Honestly, I surprise myself sometimes with how many goodies and Christmas decor items I use that are from the thrift store. Keep your eyes open and think outside the decor box!
![Christmas Entryway use thrift store finds for Christmas](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIKryN94sLrPUytHbrACrxuojpFlz5JoVERzWoXrjSsAEUtekptm997GMq4VdC1V1GIezhRhp0hE4ZsVp2SDO3zvtEtV38CnxQJ2VS0xnbpCZ-t62-5zZOQWJekPtFyAEbsTqUNs2xkDB/s280/pallet-shelf-decorated-for-christmas-with-thrift-store-finds.jpg)
PIN ME
![Thrift Store Christmas Decor create unique christmas decor with thrift store items](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4kGXQAXN6kp90Mt7d9lumhZhsT8ey9zp4bFWwTQbBVpq_sWRpCtR3MKDErZoXrA3xuPNo1LavEKvx-Ygi0V3UoFnm17pzbmTKhLNliLppBLydizCZ0w3_SJInVMOpa4ys6gxYZbqB3p3/s280/thrift-store-decor-ideas.jpg)
Have just found your blog from Tania at Little Vintage Cottage. I love books and just love this idea! They used to do the same thing 100-200 years ago and they are called fore-edged books. If you can find one, it's worth a small fortune. In the meantime, I think this is a very cute idea and want to try it out myself.
ReplyDeleteCute idea!! πAnd the shelf with hooks creates a perfect setting!!!π
ReplyDelete