DIYing overpriced holiday decor for less $$$

[@jessecara]

The wreath is so worth it because you can pick your colours if you have a specific holiday theme and can be done slowly over the course of December instead of all in one shot (a little after work here and there)

[@TheSorryGirls]

totally-great points ❤️ thank you for watching!

[@rtd1791]

Shouldn’t it be made before December? I would think that December is when it is up for display. If I were going to do this, which I am not, I’d buy the ornaments in after Christmas sales, and tackle the project over the next year. Low stress plus you’d have time to address cracking paint. I’d also have a “flat” side to the wreath that wasn’t for display so it would take fewer baubles. Follow a standard tutorial for an ornament wreath only paint your own baubles. I am way too much of a traditionalist to do a wreath in these colors. And since I love traditional Christmas colors, I don’t have to paint my own baubles. Mark Montano recently posted a fabulous tutorial on revamping plastic balls. I love watching makeovers for holiday decor.

[@evicaf4e]

​@@rtd1791if you are traditionalist, you may know that all the DIYs are made in December, when the athmosphere is jolly.

[@TonyYeungExe]

So happy to see THAT COST HOW MUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH series come back!

[@TheSorryGirls]

that cost how muuuuuuUuuUuuUuuCh 🤭🎄❤️

[@TonyYeungExe]

@@TheSorryGirls 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lornatw]

Yes!

[@suziejames7510]

I think they all look pretty good, but I think the nutcracker is my favourite and it looks so like the original at a fraction of the price.

[@TheSorryGirls]

loved making this one 🥰

[@evelinabeataa]

The ribbon tree topper kinda giving me Becky’s shoe mat with pebbles from dollar store 🙈😁 loooove the soldier though 😍

[@Emjay.d]

Can you believe I made This with hot glue.. yes 100% lol.

[@whitcarter12]

I’ve been DIY’ing ornaments for years with paint like that!!! My helpful hints: let them fully dry before putting the metal hanger back in because then they don’t get the air flow needed to dry and will stay wet and pull/crack more. And don’t be scared to add more paint if you see a spot cracking after it’s dry and then re-dry. I use old egg cartons to dry them upside down in. You can add multiple colors and then swirl them around/shake them and it will be a marbled effect. I’ll use 2-3 flat color and then a sparkly/pearly gold or silver. These are super cheap but very personal gifts for the holiday if you are on a budget. Both of my nieces make them for teacher gifts every single Christmas and I’d say total cost is maybe $3-4 each. I get the glass ornaments from Michael’s that are in a box of 4 or 8 when they are on sale.

[@kwong06]

The best series has returned when the world needed her the most

[@judiemarshall9708]

I'm not usually a Nutcracker fan, but that little guy is amazing...and the price can't be beat. Great job, Kelsey!

[@TheSorryGirls]

❤️

[@architecturedanielle3986]

For the wreath you could use old green and red baubles and then "wrap" them with pastel coloured balloons. Would be cheaper if you already have scratched ones instead of buying clear ones. That's what I'll be DIYing this Christmas. #zenbook

[@SabiieBabiie]

Can I say that I just LOOOOVE how you disclose everything? So many people do versions of this concept and don’t disclose what they already had/how much a new one would be. I think it’s not only useful but super encouraging for us to give it a try!! Love your content and have done a few diys over the years (last two Christmas ones were the that cost how much of the gingerbread house welcome mat and the star shaped tree base!)

[@TheSorryGirls]

thank you!! ❤️

[@xingcat]

So great! I think any project where the final design is all one color is so satisfying, because you can use a ton of materials and they all become cohesive once they all match.

[@TheSorryGirls]

Thank you! Cheers! 🎄❤️

[@88Doodly]

You could also take old baubles you don't like anymore and paint the exterior instead! You could also make it matte by adding baking soda to the paint! It would be gorgeous!

[@dg8828]

Love the toy soldier! The ultimate in recycling/repurposing. I plan to DIY Christmas wreathes/Swags although probably not the bulb wreath...a bit labour intensive for me.

[@ashley2310]

As a Canadian girly in Toronto, I would love if you could use the Canadian prices break down. Now if I’d ever want to recreate something I’m gunna go to the store to get supplies and end up spending way more that you shared. Yes you have a lot of American followers and choose to get the usd, but you also have some Canadian viewers who would live and idea of how much it be Canadian wise

[@littlepssboy]

not to mention they are literally a canadian company

[@rikkilostyournumber]

4:09 I think at this point, ya'll just need to learn to solder. This is at least the second project I've seen that needed to be soldered. Isn't sustainable decor about making things that will last? How long do you think the wax glue bow is gonna last? It's giving the old dollar store DIY episodes. Another plus of learning to solder is that you can fix things so you don't have to replace them.

[@isaleiberg4168]

plus it's really not that hard and in my opinion pretty accessible...

[@rikkilostyournumber]

@@isaleiberg4168 exactly!

[@rikkilostyournumber]

@isaleiberg4168 for real it's been the most helpful and widely applicable skill I've collected on my diy adventures. Originally learned it a few years ago for a geometric terrarium that I knew I could make cheaper. But since then, I've used it for so many things. I even got to be the hero of my friends wedding decor because a thrifted piece stopped working due to a loose wire. Never thought I'd show up to a wedding with a soldering iron, but hey. Lol such a small thing, but they were so happy to have it easily fixed.

[@evelynchapman5609]

not the AI

[@bananamilkbb]

Love love love this video!!!!❤ I’d love to see this series extended to other holidays too! 🥹 Also, you can totally do the wreath cheaper/easier if you use ornaments you already own or thrift instead of buying & painting the clear one.🤗 every single diy was a hit for me in this one I’m very impressed!

[@christiewilliams3558]

Iv seen alot of diy nut crackers and yours is hands down the best because you ilterally recycles everything! I love that, no waste

[@heidi3149]

in awe of the soldier!! pure genius really

[@TheSorryGirls]

so cute right!!

[@ERYN__]

The $88 bow doesn't seem overpriced for what you get. It looks like good quality. I'd kind of like to buy one for discount, because I don't want it this year, but I'd love to do a girlier Christmas with my daughter's second or third Christmas. I just wanted to give her a classic tree that we intend to pass down to her for her first Christmas, with paper chains and candy canes.

[@bethk.3340]

this is my favorite series and it doesnt disappoint!!! i love the tree topper!

[@TheSorryGirls]

🥰❤️🎄

[@kathybeck5957]

Just a tip on the wreath, use fabric starch and paint. Won't crack and less paint. Great job on ALL!!!

[@kayday1996]

The bow topper is great! Honestly, what a unnoticeble piece of decor to cost you 88 dollars. My god

[@tiabean1635]

That wreath could be holiday… or spring… or whatever you like. It reminds me of gum balls. :)

[@ampSIJ]

Wow the toy soldier came out so gooooood! i love love love that it's an upcycling project.

[@mariannerady1137]

Really love the wreath! Those colorful ones have been pinned on my pinterest for years!

[@Kimberly.Storyteller]

Those were some really cute ideas--I especially loved the gold bow tree topper!🖤

[@TheSorryGirls]

Thank you!! 😊

[@lisapoulsen5452]

The end of Kelsey’s braid resting on the soldier’s shoulder was super cute for some reason🥰🥰🥰

[@al_men_dra]

an AI sponsorship when preaching sustainability............................

[@mmmmmmolly]

While your point is mostly correct and very valid, they're not preaching it, and no one can do everything to be 100% sustainable. They do a lot to support sustainable habits but they also got a business to keep running and employees to pay. Being alive isn't sustainable if you look at it from absolutes, in fact, the most sustainable thing you can do as a human is to go naked into the forest and let the wildlife eat you.

[@abbyrock5684]

Should really use mod podge or a variant and let it dry inside of the bulbs before adding paint. A couple of years ago, I painted the inside of dozens of baubles, let them dry thoroughly and hung them on our tree. Before too long, the paint began to slide to the bottom of most of the ornaments. We had LED lights so it was not the heat from the lights. Have seen this happened to others and the recommendation was to add mod podge, etc. to the inside first. Love all of your projects!

[@MyVideosNow]

The bow could be made in wire without solder. If you wrap the ends of the horizonal wires around the vertical, and make sure to wrap down to the next wire, then wrap the next wire down, you would have the verticals be covered in coils and so the horizontal ones won't slide down. Or maybe JB Weld?

[@akirebara]

omg the toy soldier!!!!! what a cutie! made out of random tossed out cans. genius!

[@priyanshijhaveri5316]

this is good stuff!! with Rochelle on the work floor, I bet this would still be cheaper and well-made in wood! like how Becky's wooden robot bar guy was!

[@belleballentine]

AI is so terrible for the environment and goes against everything TSG stand for

[@Riggsthetiel]

#zenbook this year I diy'd ornaments with the same clear balls and molted feathers from my pet cockatiels, added a little glitter and a bow, came out super cute. Loved all the diy's!

[@alisonnicholson8060]

The Nutcracker is a gem. The ribbon tree topper is a great project 👍 Love that cost "how much"!!

[@candycane_girl14]

#zenbook I am planning to diy an elf house from “trash” 💫🥰

[@JazzyBabe56]

I felt really let down that there are more American viewers than Canadian....and that now you do everything in American money.....bummer....but your crafts are still fire! 🔥

[@mem2bam]

I definitely like your DIYs better. They just look better.

[@Originormality]

Wow the bauble painting and drying process was packed full of great tips, from dripping a bauble into another, using plastic wrap(?) on the tops of the mixing bowls to make pouring easier, drying in the cardboard box... writing all this down for future diys 📝

[@TheSorryGirls]

🤭🎄❤️

[@Clovergirl7934]

#Zenbook. I am dying to make that bow tree topper! That was an AWESOME dupe girl! I will try my hand at drawing the bow, but your outline was great!

[@theunsinkablekatiemae]

I’m sorryyyyyyy - mother in law?? Did you get married and not tell us?? Did I miss something?

[@TheSorryGirls]

nope! just trying to use some other relatable terms for everyone :)

[@theunsinkablekatiemae]

Oh - ha! Not that you’d have to tell us if you did get married - live your life! I was just like - wait, what?? 😂

[@esterdiaz8509]

Great job Kelsey!!! That nutcracker is everything!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@123HeyitsBri]

Ok loved these! I think you could fixed the cracked paint with another coat in the cracked areas if you wanted to. The CB is turned out much better than I thought it would, and the toy soldier turned out great!

[@sheenatalks8529]

I love the tree topper!!! Such a great idea!! I'm going to be making painted ornaments for my family this year with their names on them ❤ that #zenbook would definitely help me with all my crafts and Mom duties!!!

[@A.Guerrero007]

So much cuter personalized!❤

[@tamara10]

No one is perfect when it comes to sustainability, but using ai and getting payed to advertise it is actively harming the environment

[@anthonypecorara]

On the ornament wreath, and I know we all want things now, wait until the end of season and try to buy everything on sale especially if there’s a chance of actually finding the colors that you want. I’ve also have luck either using a foam or straw wreath base, wrapping it in ribbon, then using hot glue to adhere all the ornaments. You still use a lot, but not quite as many to make it look full plus it doesn’t end up weighing 500lbs.

[@carolkim9795]

All 3 projects were so good. For me, the wax seal glue stick blew my mind as I need to do a lot of that to make props for a show.

[@nanalynne]

Wow, Kelsey. You did such a great job. I love them all.

[@TheSorryGirls]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@n.l.1264]

That tree topper turned out amazing!!

[@CaitKant]

I would have done the gluing on an artist easel, easier on the arm and more control when glueing. And adding baking soda to the paint likely would have helped with the cracking.

[@traceydalton8862]

All came out great, but the bow was amazing

[@mathi3933]

I was rooting for the nutcracker to get a paper maché finish. I think your version looks better, but for some reason I just love to watch paper maché projects being made. I vote for more paper maché in 2025!!

[@emiliereigne]

I DIYed a cookbook for my family, filled with recipes of my grandmother and pictures of her (she's nearing 91 years old!). I also asked her to sign the cookbook for each member of our family! It's a very special gift and I'm so so happy with the final result, I'm looking forward to gifting it to everyone this holiday season 🥰 Winning a #zenbook would be amazing for future books I'd like to DIY 👀

[@anjelicaroses_]

kelsey is truly in her sand era

[@cathylavorante6871]

You did a great job on all the diys Kelsey. I love the soldier. I also think the cracking paint adds a little rustic touch! Well done as always!!

[@valentina7666]

I think the soldier would have been great painted the color of the little toy ones!

[@norawotton5440]

The soldier is great and I love that it’s made from mostly garbage!

[@brittanyandrews1431]

Zenbook!!!!! My young daughters and I are actually DIYING a full cardboard fireplace for our Christmas stockings out of all old boxes I have sourced from every and anywhere! Starting our project today, pics to come. Would love to win a laptop to create more giants crafts to do with my kiddos 🥰

[@WimVeen]

Nice job Kelsey! In enjoyed watching your video as I also with all your other videos.

[@zerinah5712]

In love with this video! All three diys are just pure art. The wrath could be reused as a birthday or bachelorette party decor 👌

[@universalsoldier2293]

We're in the middle of making 50 DIY ornaments and let me tell you, the struggle to find the perfect satin red paint has been all-consuming for at least a month. Also, there may have been a minor meltdown on my part recently at a craft store over the price of those clear plastic ornaments.

[@Klayhed]

I kept waiting to see the gingerbread doormat diy….that said, I think kelsey did a fabulous job on all of them, but my fav was the toy soldier!

[@nachtmalerin8832]

I DIY Adventkalender for my Friends every year. This year we had the topic "books" and I made a book holder and am going to make a cool reading lamp #zenbook #Zenbook

[@cherylbolender697]

I L O V E when your channel shows how to dupe expensive products! This is AWESOME! Thank you :D I wonder, for the bobbles, if adding a little bit of water to the paint would help it flow better inside the bobble to coat better?

[@dcnmarvelgirl]

I'm currently working on a holiday cookbook for work and I recently signed up for your interior design course so will be working on things for that!. A #zenbook would be helpful for that!

[@mykenziecarmody5385]

omg the nutcracker looks SO GOOD

[@kristinab8326]

Loveeeeee the colorful baubles

[@laurenmarshall9347]

I’d love if you included how long each of them took!

[@robindestasio7563]

That costs how much is my fav series :) Kelsey said 'my mother in law', was their a wedding I missed ?? Love the bow, going to actually try it :) I want those red/burgundy ? shoes :) Love the wreath, too much work for me, I think I'm going to buy the ornaments already colored and make one that way :) The soldier, amazing :) I love this video, could watch ones like this every single day :) Kelsey you did an amazing job on all of the projects :)

[@eliselockwood7775]

I look forward to these videos every year!

[@DeeAlex2386]

Loved these diy’s, thank you

[@RubyChopsticks]

I think it'd be helpful to include cost of labor and how long it took to make each item. the labor on the wreath doesn't seem worth it to me unless you do it bit by bit over a month for funsies. Even if you just used minimum wage which where I live is $15/hr and it takes 8 hrs that's $120 added to the cost of the materials.

[@Melanco001]

The creativity tho….wow

[@blackcatproductions3]

I think your wreath came out better than Anthro's !!! Also, please tell me that wreath is going to live with Becky, it would go so well with her MCM decor !! 🥰

[@roxiepoe9586]

Fun! (I have had some good results shooting spray paint into christmas balls. Once or twice I did have some paint crawl inside, but I shot in a different colour and got amazing vein patterns. Of course that would not work with the solid pastel you were going for, but, different projects???)

[@courtneymichelle333]

Shout out to Kelsey for having the patients to make that wreath!

[@alicebabler9996]

These are all super cute! You did an amazing job of recreating the originals! Would I make any of these? Probably not...very labor intensive, esp the wreath.

[@katefox7692]

Great job Kelsey they look fab!

[@mugglemom9135]

Loved this video! I wonder if the ornaments would have been easier to paint if you'd used a flow medium mixed with the paint. And also, could you use a wreath base that wasn't just a wire hoop, but more like a floral wreath form (I find them at Dollar Tree) so you only had to wire the ornaments to the front. Nobody can see the back anyway so it would cost less.

[@faselwesen]

i got supplies and wanna learn how to woodcarve and then i'll hopefully make pretty tree ornaments to give as gifts

[@MS-zj2mf]

Ok, but will the bow melt in your storage in the summer?

[@tahmid7490]

You can find clear plastic ornaments at thrift stores

[@Tantejuju65]

So cool!! I wouldn't have the patience for the wreath, tho lovely! Soldier is great and gives me ideas for Santa and reindeer!!

[@cesbi]

Absolutely love the wreath.

[@KagomeMorino]

The toy soldier thing is on Walmart as well but most are buying it just to paint them because its a blank canvas 😅

[@poniesandproteins]

I love the little trash man!

[@chayasorah815]

Gee I wonder when Kelsey decided she could paint her stairs w paint mixed sand. When oh when did she come up with that idea 😂 wanting some Chanukkah ideas

[@andreamiller3578]

I thought these all looked great! And worth it

[@LukeAsketMonroe]

The Soilder ist Amazing!!

[@moda78z]

Turned out great! ❤️👍

[@TheSorryGirls]

Thank you! 😊

[@zoef007]

#Zenbook. DIYing a Christmas tree from driftwood and vintage glass ornaments.

[@antiquesrestoration3874]

The bangs always give Squilliam Fancyson.

[@sherener509]

Love diy Christmas decorations! It gets you in the holiday spirit! I’ve been seeing a lot of felt garlands and ornaments, and even garlands made of cardboard! That would be really fun to diy. #zenbook

[@mrsmurphy1836]

Wow, Love them all!

[@MADy1120]

Can’t wait to diy some Christmas balls for myself and my Friends! I love to make personalized gifts for the holidays - it so much more special than to buy something from the store and obviously cheaper too (I’m a student). Happy holidays everybody! 🎉 #Zenbook

[@lailinshale]

FYI yall an ice cream cone might also work for that wire tree topper cone shape

[@breannakion9167]

These all turned out so well, I honestly think your wreath looks much better than the original, even with the crackling paint. Well done!!! You've inspired me to try to make a toy solider!

[@TheSorryGirls]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@buddyholly4672]

Instead of painting baubles it would be cheaper to buy existing colours. That's what i did a few years back

[@bluelaugh07]

How long will the wax hold up before it melts?