The holiday season is upon us and you may already be worried about how to get the shopping completed and gifts wrapped. You also have to fit in school band concerts and plays as well as the never-ending string of holiday parties. Somewhere in all of that, you need to tackle your holiday décor. These simple ideas can help you kickstart your holiday decorations.

Before you even get to the Christmas decorations, you have to get through Thanksgiving. Grab a plastic pumpkin from the dollar store and paint it white. Place glitter markers on the table and let everyone write thankful phrases on it. Carve a real pumpkin and add fresh cut flowers for a great centerpiece. Spray paint pinecones in fall colors and place them in a rustic basket or paint them in candy corn colors for a whimsical look as part of your Thanksgiving decorations.

When it comes to Christmas decorations, you can be as simple as you were for Thanksgiving. Clip a few branches from an evergreen in your backyard or see if a Christmas tree farm will give you a few for free. Tie the branches together with a large bow and hang on your door as a wreath. You spend a lot of time wrapping your presents and making them beautiful. Why not use them as part of your holiday accessories? Stack a few in an unused chair or on the hearth of a fireplace. Hang some cute bells from your chandelier or other overhead light. Use wire-edge ribbon and tie a bow on your throw pillows to make them look like gifts.

There are many ways to save money on gift wrapping supplies. Look for cute dish towels and use those as wrapping for gifts. Rolls of brown postage paper can also be used as a low-cost alternative to expensive gift wraps. Use fancy ribbon, stampers, stencils or glitter to give it a holiday look. Glass jars are another unique way to give a gift. Tie some tree ornaments around the lid or use glitter pens to embellish them. Open the side and bottom of an empty potato chip bag, clean the interior well and allow it to dry. You now have shiny silver wrapping paper. Handled shopping bags are also great for gift-giving, especially those with a cute design or that are blank. Add some tree ornaments to the handles for a festive tough. Search the back of your car for old folded road maps or an outdated Atlas. These make excellent wrapping paper as they are often made of thicker paper.

These tips show that there is no reason to break the budget when choosing holiday décor. You can also find discounts on all your holiday accessories by joining EmployeandMemberDiscounts.com. There is never a membership fee and you can begin using your discounts immediately. These were savings that were only available to employees or members of certain industries but we have made them available to everyone. Sign up today by filling out the easy online form.

For many people, no matter how hard they try to plan ahead, Halloween is suddenly just around the corner. If you are one of those people who is scrambling at the last minute to come up with a costume for Halloween, struggle to figure out Halloween costumes for baby or haven’t even started putting up your Halloween decorations the day before the holiday, these simple Halloween costume ideas can relieve just a little of the stress. In addition, these costumes Halloween ideas are inexpensive and easy to create.

One of the simplest discount adult Halloween costumes is to go as a “ceiling fan.” Use stick-stick on letters to add the words “Go Ceiling” to a baseball cap or sweatshirt. Carry a handmade sign that says “Ceiling is #1!” Grab some cheap pom-poms from the Halloween costume stores and you have a funny, tongue-in-cheek costume. This is even a great Halloween baby costume.

Whether you are looking for babies Halloween costume, a cute idea for a costume Halloween toddler look or you like this idea for your adult costume, dressing as Waldo is a very simple option. All you need is a red and white striped long sleeve shirt, blue jeans along with a red-and-white striped beanie cap. Add a pair of round glasses and you will have people “looking” for you or your children all evening.

Although your children may not know who the Spice Girls are, this fun play on the popular 90s singing group will amuse guests at your party or one you plan to attend. Print out a picture of spice bottles, like cinnamon, allspice, garlic or whatever you choose and pin them on an apron. Put on a baseball cap and your costumes for Halloween are the “Spice Girls.”

A cute idea for a baby costume Halloween party is to cut out the symbol for “pi” and attach it to an orange t-shirt. Add a cute little pumpkin hat and your child’s Halloween costume is “pumpkin pi.” This costume also works for toddlers and adults as well.

Of all the Halloween costumes for toddlers, a bubble gum machine may be the cutest and easiest to create. Purchase small, multicolor pom-poms and glue them on a white t-shirt or tank top in a large circle. Add a red tutu or skirt with a sign at the waist that says “10 cents” for an adorable toddler costume.

Popular during World War II, Rosie the Riveter is an easy look to recreate, even if you are looking for Halloween costumes plus size. A red polka dot bandana for your head, denim work-style shirt and blue jeans will complete the costume. You can even create a fun, retro 40’s hairstyle to make the look even more authentic. As Halloween toddler costumes, this is an adorable idea, especially if your toddler is just a little bit sassy.

Another idea for plus size Halloween costumes is to recreate the look of the late Mama Cass, singer for the 60s group the Mamas and the Papas. A paisley print maxi-dress, fringe vest and a bright headband are the perfect option for Halloween costumes plus size. Add a long 60’s-style wig and the costume will be complete. Looking for a family costume idea? Dress the entire family as a 60s singing group using this style. It even works for Halloween toddler costumes.

Children already think parents have eyes in the back of their head but why not create a costume that makes them see that you do. You can find doll eyes in the craft section of most department stores that you can glue to hair pins and place in your hair. This is even a great idea for toddlers Halloween costumes as you can add neon green clothing and have them go as an “alien.”

Another great Halloween baby costume is to dress them as a superhero. If you need are also looking for a Halloween toddler costume, enlist their assistance in creating the superhero. Have them cut out superhero symbols from paper. Put on a pair of leggings and a long-sleeve t-shirt. Attach the paper cutouts and add eye masks, headbands and belts. Create a cape from an old pillowcase or purchase one at Halloween stores.

If you are all set for family costumes Halloween night but seem to have dropped the ball when it comes to decorations for Halloween, there are some last minute ideas that may help. No time to carve pumpkins? Use temporary tattoos or stickers as decorations for Halloween. You can find scary tattoos and stickers at your local Halloween stores. You can also spray paint designs on pumpkins using an old pair of lacy stockings or a paper doily found in the craft section. Purchase plain skeleton heads at Halloween costume stores or your local department store. Cover the skull in spray glue and then coat with glitter for spooky, glittery decorations.

If you are looking for Halloween costumes, Halloween decorations or anything else related to Halloween, visit EmployeeandMemberDiscounts.com. We have a wide range of savings on Halloween costumes for baby, plus size Halloween costumes, toddlers Halloween costumes and more. These were previously discounts that were only available to members of certain organizations or employees in certain industries. There is no membership fee and you can begin saving on Halloween costumes today.