To be honest, for me the holiday season doesn’t start with the first snow or Mariah Carey’s song on the radio. It starts the moment I walk into Michaels and see those huge red “Sale” signs.
This year, I decided not to just buy ready-made decor (although the temptation is great!), but to focus on DIY (Do It Yourself). Why? Because it’s cheaper, it’s heartwarming, and, you see, nothing creates a Christmas mood like an evening spent coloring nutcrackers to “Home Alone”.
The main slogan of the season is “Create holiday joy“. And judging by the price tags, creating it will be profitable.
In this article, I’m ready to share with you my finds and life hacks on how to avoid leaving your entire salary in the store.
Base for decor: Where do I start
My first rule of shopping: base first, details later. If, like me, your tree needs a makeover or you just want to change up your color scheme this year, now is the perfect time.
All artificial trees are on sale. But my real favorite is the Shatterproof Ornaments wall set.
For $11.99 (down from $30!) you get a huge box of 34+ ornaments. I got the set in trendy mermaid colors (turquoise and purple) to break up the classic silver. They look like glass but don’t break—a must-have if you have a cat or kids at home.
And for lights, there’s a “Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off” promotion. I always buy garlands in pairs: one for the tree, one for the window, and the second one for half price.
Christmas is impossible without the right lighting. In addition to garlands (which are currently on sale “Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off”), I turned my attention to home decor.
The “Let it glow” stand offers 40% off candles, lanterns and home fragrances. I really liked the textured LED candles “under the birch” and the glass balls in emerald and gold colors. They look very expensive and add warmth to the interior.
DIY Magic: How to Turn a $5 Blank into a $50 Decor
This is my favorite section. I love the Make Market’s blank wood section, especially when there’s that coveted 50% OFF sign hanging there.
I’ve racked up an army of wooden nutcrackers and little houses. My plan: to paint them matte white and gold. At expensive decor boutiques, such things cost $40-50, but here I spent pennies and an evening of creativity.
Blanks waiting for your inspiration. For half the price!
And to add a little magic, I looked into the glitter section. The choice is simply cosmic! Life hack from me: take a regular transparent toy, smear glue on the inside (or outside for texture) and cover it with glitter. It looks like a million.
And, of course, I couldn’t pass up the 2025 trend — disco balls. They add incredible sparkles when the light from the garlands hits them.
Gifts with a soul (and savings)
This year, I decided that gifts should be personalized. Here’s what I found for my relatives:
For grandmas: Ornament frames. They’re currently on sale for 3 for $11.99. I’ll just print out photos of my grandchildren, put them in these cute frames — and it’ll be the best gift that will definitely hang in the most prominent place.
For my pastry chef friend: I almost squealed when I saw the 30% discount on Nordic Ware. It’s the “Rolls-Royce” of baking molds. They’re usually very expensive, so such a discount is a rarity. I’ll add some Bundt cake mix to the mold, tie it with a ribbon — and the luxurious gift is ready.
In addition to the 30% off Nordic Ware mold, I found something else interesting. Makery silicone molds are a budget-friendly find for those who make homemade chocolate, jelly, or even soap. Hearts, letters, flowers — the choice is huge, and this is a great addition to the main gift.
For creative types: Diamond Art. This is the perfect stress reliever. I’ll give it to a colleague who constantly complains about being tired — let her relax by making a shiny wreath.
For a hassle-free party: Planning to host? Michaels is offering 40% off the Celebrate It holiday paper tableware collection.
I fell in love with this vintage Santa line! The plates and special cups for hot drinks (with a protective “sleeve”) look very stylish. And the main bonus for the hostess is no need to wash dishes after the party!
And to create a photo zone or congratulate the birthday boy (yes, someone has a birthday in the winter!), check out The Party Shop. They have a huge selection of foil balloons – from numbers to favorite characters.
What to do with the kids on vacation
To calmly do their chores before the holidays, children need something to distract them. Creatology kits with a 50% discount came to the rescue. I picked up coloring books, DIY kits, and even a set for creating a gingerbread house from polystyrene foam (no sugar all over the kitchen!).
And for those parents who play Elf on the Shelf — Michaels sells kits with 24 ready-made ideas. This is simply a salvation for the nervous system!
For Kids and Stocking Stuffers: In addition to the big sets, I found the perfect trinkets for stocking stuffers.
Check out Creatology’s small sets for a ridiculous price. They have everything from a make-your-own suncatcher to a beaded stocking kit. They’re perfect for keeping your kid busy for an hour or two with guaranteed results.
And for the little ones (or stuffed animal fans), there’s a rack of Ty Beanie Bouncers for $5.99. Stitch, Olaf, and other cute creatures with big eyes would make a great surprise under your pillow.
My Secrets to Saving at Michaels (Insider Tips)
Finally, here are some tips on how I save even more, even during sales:
- Michaels Rewards: If you haven’t signed up yet, just sign up at the checkout. You get 3% to 6% cashback in vouchers. I’m saving them now so I can buy wrapping paper for free in December.
- Always check for coupons: Even on Black Friday! Download the Michaels app. There’s often a “20% off regular price items” coupon there. If something isn’t on sale, a coupon will save the day.
- Weekly Ad: Check the weekly ad online before your visit to be aware of “Doorbusters” (products of the day).
- BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In Store): I hate standing in line. So I often order online from the comfort of my couch and then just pick up the package in store. This also ensures that the item I need isn’t snatched away in front of me.
The bottom line is simple: don’t leave your shopping until the last week. The coolest “Doorbusters” goods at crazy prices.
