With the holidays right around the corner, entertaining guests is on the minds of more than a few FiLife.com readers, but impressing guests isn’t cheap. Check out these tips from decorators around the country and learn how to blow the minds of your guests and not your budget.

Go Au Natural: “Create a natural centerpiece utilizing twigs, branches, flowers and herbs from the yard or store. It’s very inexpensive and [gives your space] an organic feeling,” says Event Planner and VIBE agency owner, Valerie Bihet. Looking for something a little more upscale? “Fill a vase with cranberries, cover with distilled water and insert interesting branches such as dogwood or holiday greenery,” says Debra Kavalos-Delaney of Memorable Entertaining.

Warm Things Up: Candlelight not only looks lush but it casts a warm, gorgeous glow over guests. Pop into your local Target or Ikea and fill your home with tea lights and votives in festive colors. Just be sure not to skimp. “The more [candles you use] the more effective your look will be,” says Sikky Rogers and Angela Gala of Rogers & Gala Creative Partners in Charlotte, N.C.

Keep It Simple: Instead of spending a fortune on individual ornaments for the tree, decorate branches with boxed bulbs in two or three colors (such as red, green and/or gold). Add a couple of strands of lights and stringed popcorn or homemade links made of craft paper and voila: an old-school Christmas!

Be Inventive: Part of getting into the holiday spirit is decorating the house, but festive candles, knick-knacks and dinnerware can add up fast. Melinda Winner, Author of A Complete Guide to Cooking with Arthritis suggests making cookie place cards for guests while Shirley Walsh, owner of Kalembar Dune, says Scrabble trays and pieces work well for spelling out the names of guests.

Make It Fun for The Kids: Purchase card stock paper, ribbon and crayons from your local craft store and set up a snowflake and ornament table for kids to cut out and color their designs. Once they are done, hang them on plants, the tree, doorknobs and windows. “Kids like to be involved,” says Christian O’Dowd, president of Cantering Caterer. “My kids enjoy making place cards and it gives them a feeling of accomplishment in that they are contributing. It’s a sure-fire way to get your guests’ attention, and it also takes off one item from a busy hostess’ to-do list,” he says.