Do you want to change the look of your Christmas tree, but are short on cash? Here are a few do-it-yourself ideas you can use to transform your old ornaments into something new. Better yet, update the look of your old ornaments and add a few new designer ornaments each year, as your budget allows. You’ll have a tree you are pleased with without breaking the bank.

Old glass ball ornaments are easy to transform. Here are a few options:

~ Spray paint them using pearlescent paint.

~ Coat them with craft glue and dip them in tiny beads, glitter, or potpourri.

~ Add swirls, stars, or other designs with dimensional paint.

~ Stencil new designs on them.

~ Wrap them with lengths of ribbon, cording, or raffia. Secure with glue. Another option would be to attach a bow of ribbon, cording, or raffia by the hook at the top or at the base.

~ De-shine them by spraying with frost spray paint or dipping them in an etching bath.

~ For clear glass balls, add a few teaspoons paint in coordinating colors to the inside of the ball. Rotate slowly to swirl and mix the colors. Turn upside down on newspaper to drain and dry.

If you want to depart from the traditional completely, toss the old glass balls and start from scratch. Look around the house for something unique to make a themed tree. This is a marvelous way to display any collections you have: dolls or doll clothes, dollhouse furniture, teddy bears or other stuffed animals, seashells, cards, seed pods, cooking utensils, collector spoons, cookie cutters, tools, artificial plants…use your creativity!