This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

You Can Decorate For Fall On A Tight Budget

Decorating for fall can be free or very cheap by being creative and using what nature has already given you.

Halloween is almost here and if you are still not ready, get busy! Local stores still have a huge selection of costumes and home decor. Better yet, they still have coupons available as well. Seefor great coupons on costumes and fall clothing.

If you have put off decorating your home this year for Halloween but do not want to do it now since its only a week away, then decorate for fall and leave it all up until your pull out those winter holiday decorations. This can be done very inexpensively.

All of those leaves in your yard right now can make excellent decorations inside the house. Have the kids go out a collect the best ones and you can string them up and use them as garland across your fireplace, sprinkle them across your dining table or even fill a vase with them to add color to any room.

If you want to make them last all season without replacing them, put them between two sheets of wax paper on your ironing board. Lay an old T-shirt or a pillow case on top and iron them until the leaves look like they did outside. Cut the leaves out from the paper. The wax will protect them and will melt clear. You can even save these from year to year.

The pumpkins this year are around $4 a piece at , and at the grocery stores. If you buy them for Halloween and want them decorated, consider using washable paint or stickers to decorate them. You can put them out for Halloween and then still use them through Thanksgiving as porch decor.

Fresh autumn scented candles are the perfect way to warm a house with cinnamon, apples, pumpkin or other fall smells. has a coupon here for $10 off of a purchase of $25 or more. This is valid through Nov. 20. They are still having their buy one, get one 50 percent off sale as well.

has a variety of inexpensive scented soaps and candles that will make your home smell and look like fall is here. They are already moving in their winter holiday items and the fall products are on clearance. They have a great selection that is all marked at 50 percent off.

sells pumpkins that look real, but are not. They are carvable as well. You can carve one this year and store it from year to year for Halloween. Carve a seasonal design that works through November and you can leave it out and illuminated with a battery or electric operated candle or glow stick.

has a selection of home decor items that are priced well and can last through the month of November and then seasonally in future years. Door mats, dish towels, wall pictures and small figures can be found there. Here is a coupon for 20 percent off of your purchase through Oct. 26.

sells bays of hay for a few bucks. Get a some of these for your yard. Place the full bales out with fall leaves and pumpkins around it. Get creative and stuff some old clothes with straw and create scare crows. This will make a cute fall display in your yard that the whole family can help with and enjoy all season long.

Decorating the dining room table can also be easily done with apples since they are very fall-ish. Fill a serving bowl or platter with them and accent with some outdoor leaves.

Find out what's happening in Alpharetta-Miltonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This is a great time of year to display the kids art projects or help them create new ones. Branches, acorns and leaves are excellent starter items. Grab some glue, glitter and your creativity for some fun family time that can also make your house look and feel festive.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?