Simple Seasonal DIY Decorations (NAPSA)—Whetherit’s ghouls gracing the door or sunflowers seizing the lawn, festive decorating is a year-round activity for many Americans. In fact, holiday decorating is big business. For example, Halloween decor alone generates $756 million a year making it second only to Christmas. Factor in holidays such as Easter, Valentine’s Day and Fourth of July, that’s a good chunk of change for some holiday cheer. For those who don’t want to spend a fortune to create a festive home, do-it-yourself decorations may be the answer. From door adornments to lawn ornaments, cutout projects are easy and costeffective way to get your house ready for the holidays. “Many people don’t realize just how easy it is to make holiday decorations at home,” said Mark Heintz, jigsaw product manager from Skil Power Tools. “With the right tools and a project plan, families can transform their home to a holiday haven.” An avid DIYer, Heintz offers some helpful tips to prevent project roadblocks and ensure that DIYers are on the road to success. Know your skill level. Before delving into the project, review the instructions to gauge your confidence level. For inspiration, DIYers can check out www.skil.com to access more a Cut out expensive holiday decorations by making items yourself. than 30 downloadable pattern cutouts for every skill level. Get the right tools. A jigsaw is a must-have for cutout projects. Look for jigsaws with user-friendly features such as built-in work lights and laser guides for more accurate cuts. In addition, have a sander on hand for the finishing touch. Select the right material. A piece of 34” plywood or mediumdensity fiberboard (MDF) should provide enough sturdiness for most pieces. Home improvement stores have these materials readily available. Practice makes perfect. Novices should practice on scrap pieces of material before moving on to their final project. In addition, cutout projects provide great practice for those homeowners who plan to tackle more ambitious DIY home improvements.
