Economic hardships might put a damper on the holidays, but that doesn't mean you can't dress up your home with recycled or affordable items.

Holiday decor could be harder to find this year, explained Laurie Aina, manager of Craft Supply. “;With the economy, things are more limited, even raw materials, since factories were closed during the Olympics.”;

So it's a good time to tap into one's creativity. Many holiday projects can be completed with a base (such as a basket or grapevine wreath), floral picks, ribbon and a glue gun. “;Glue guns are the next-best thing since sliced bread,”; Aina added.

“;Everyone has ideas ... they just need to bring them out,”; said Yolanda Keuma, floral designer at Craft Supply.

It's best to buy bunches of flowers or leaves that can be used for several projects. “;I like using the bright colors for Thanksgiving—the reds, oranges and yellows,”; Keuma said. “;I like to use sunflowers in some of the cornucopias so it can be used all year round.”;

If money is an issue, Keuma suggests collecting items from nature and adding some embellishment. “;I collect bundles of sticks in my yard and tie them with raffia or wrap them with garlands to create a swag,”; she said. “;I really like using stuff from the yard.”;

Keuma also created a Halloween centerpiece, placing a branch that had fallen from a palm tree, into a pumpkin-shaped basket. “;I painted it and used it as a tree and hung small ornaments.”; The same idea could be used for all holidays, she explained. “;The rest is up to your imagination.”;

The store also takes orders from those folks who don't consider themselves crafty, Aina said. “;But, people can save lots of money making their own. And they have the ability to match their projects with house colors.”;

Changing colors in the home is one of the simplest ways to decorate for the holidays, according to Gloria Arias, a craft coordinator at Ben Franklin Craft stores.

Arias suggests getting more use out of Christmas trees by changing the ornaments to match the season. For example, create a Halloween tree with an array of spooky decorations that are already stored in the closet. Then transform it into an autumn theme that can remain displayed until the Christmas decorations are brought out, said Arias. “;One year, my tree remained up from Halloween until Valentine's Day. I just changed the decorations.”;

Also useful for decorating is your own glassware. Use any glass or jar and add the appropriate holiday ornaments, colored marbles or foliage, Arias suggested. Or fill baskets with silk fall flowers and small pumpkins and gourds.

Grapevine wreaths can be painted for various holidays, as well. One side could be painted black and adorned with Halloween items, while the flip side could be reserved for autumn or Christmas.

Even if cost doesn't matter, creating your own decorations provides a sense of accomplishment, said Aina. “;When you personally create something, you get that happy feeling.”;