The cheapest and easiest decorating for Christmas!

Without a doubt, the best deal you can find on Christmas decorations is ordinary glass or plastic balls.

Even the Dollar Store offers inexpensive ornaments of all 
shapes and designs.  For less than $10, you can take a package
 of  "ordinary" balls and create unique centerpieces.

I tell all my friends - if you need to fill in areas of your home 
when decorating for Christmas, or you need something quick 
and easy - buy a few packages of ornaments and place inside
 any pretty bowl or container you already have at home. 

Take a look at some of these beautiful examples....

This monochromatic display in a footed bowl adds a touch 
of elegance on a rustic table.

Design Tip:  Use filler in the bottom of a large bowl so you
 do not require as many ornaments.  Use greenery, or beads
 as shown above for filler.  Add a tassel or two that gently cascades over the side. 

Mirrored ornaments and frosted glass balls create the look of
 a Winter Wonderland in a bowl. 

Design Tip:  Splurge on two or three mirrored balls, and 
use more inexpensive plain balls as fillers.  How pretty 
would this be if you added in some painted white starfish. 
 Or, how about some glittered snowflakes. Both would add 
some extra texture and glitz. 

Multi-colored balls add a splash of Christmas cheer to this grouping placed within a glass footed bowl. 

Design Tip:  Choose several sizes of balls, from tiny 1" balls
 to larger ones to add interest and variety. 

Shades of purple - not your standard Christmas color, but 

grouped together it is simply eye candy.  I love the "frosted"

 urn container. 

Design Tip:  Take an inexpensive urn or container, and 

spray paint white.  "Paint" on a layer of Modge Podge, 

then sprinkle on some glittered faux snow.  

Look at the varying balls above in this glass bowl - frosted 

silver and blue balls, solid metallic balls 

and crystal snowflakes.  

Design Tip:  Notice how the bowl of ornaments is placed 

on a plate of faux snow.   Use a vintage silver platter instead.  Don't have a large glass bowl?  Line up three smaller 

glass bowls and create this same look.

Vintage mercury ornaments in a footed mercury container. 

Design Tip:  Create your own mercury-style ornaments 

with silver leaf and antiquing glaze. 

Inexpensive pink ornaments combined with beautifully 
glittered balls in a wooden dough bowl. 

Design Tip:  Make your own patterned-glittered ornaments 
with glitter paint pens.  Just freehand your designs in 
any desired pattern.

Miniature sized ornaments nestled in a white tray create a 
base 
for some larger balls.

Design Tip:  Buy inexpensive clear ornaments, remove top 
and pour in some watered craft paints (or use acrylic 
medium.)  Roll the ornaments around so paint covers 
the inside of the ornament.  Turn over and pour out 
any extra paint.

Vintage ornaments in an antique crockery bowl. 

Design Tip:  Buy inexpensive solid balls, and randomly 

glue on small pearls in rows or individually.  Or, add 

dots with glitter puff paint pens.

A layer of magnolia leaves creates a soft bed for a

 grouping of silver and metallic balls. 

Design Tip: Make your own vintage look ornaments. 

Purchase new solid-colored plastic ornaments.  Lightly 

sponge on watered down black acrylic paint randomly 

over ornaments. Let dry. With a kitchen scrubby (the rough 

side), lightly sand the ornament to remove any shine.  Cover 

with a coat of antiquing glaze, wipe off. 

Now is the time to think about a New Year's Centerpiece.  
Silver and Blue ornaments in a clear glass or silver footed 
bowl is the perfect solution.

Design Tip:  Add strings of silver beads.  Nestle in some 
New Year's horns or blowers.  Use a glitter paint pen to 
write "2012" on an ornament or two.

I hope these beautiful pics inspire you to create your 
own Christmas ornament centerpiece.