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It’s SO MUCH FUN to shop the Christmas and Clearance aisles for Valentine’s Day decorations – it’s almost like decorating for free and this post will teach you my cost-saving tricks!

Look for heart-shapes! While checking out the holiday decorations at TARGET this year, I noticed that they had some filigree, pressed felt, heart-shaped ornaments… for ONLY $1.00 each!  Typically, I always find “heart-shaped” ornaments left-over after Christmas because most people prefer “traditional” holiday ornament shapes for their trees, wreaths and garlands.  So, their loss is your gain!   As predicted, I found seven of these ornaments for sale when TARGET lowered their prices 50%, making my total purchase only $3.50.  Then, I purchased a roll of satin red cording at the craft store ($1.99) and fed it through the hangers of each heart ornament, tying a knot at each (heart) location so they don’t slide (on the cording).

Once I strung all of my felt hearts onto the cording, I had a sweet, heart garland for around $5.00.

Look for Red decorations and Angels! Also after Christmas, I shopped a department store (DILLARD’S) once they had reduced their items 75%.  There, I found 3 beautiful, cracked glass, battery-operated pillar candles (hey… they’re red, so why not?)  Originally $19.00 each, I got all 3 for around $15.00.  I found my beautiful stone Garden Angel last week at Hobby Lobby, while their garden statuary was 50% off, and only paid $7.00.

Placing these items together, along with some other low-cost Valentine decorations I already owned from previous years….

Rose Wreath (Big Lots – $10), “BE MINE” sign (Home Goods – $5.00), embossed glass candle holder (a gift – free!), white candle holders (already had these, but also picked them up on clearance – all 3 for under $10) and finally, one bunch of silk roses (Michael’s – $5), which I removed some flowers & also individual petals  from the stems

… came together to help me create a budget-minded, yet beautiful mantel for the official holiday of hearts –

HAPPY ST. VALENTINE’S DAY!