‘I was quoted £700 for a Christmas door arch but did it myself for just £50’

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A woman who was quoted £700 to have a Christmas door arch done professionally has done the job herself for just £50. Mum-of-two Carrie Boyd, 35, wanted to get in the festive spirit by making the entrance to her home extra Christmassy.

The savvy first-time buyer, who lives in a three-bed semi-detached house in Partington, Trafford, often shares her budget-friendly DIY hacks on her Instagram page @theboydshahhome.

Carrie, who is originally from Belfast, transformed her 'old-fashioned' house she bought for £230,000 with her husband into a modern 'maximalist' family home on a budget.

And Christmas is no different, as she always looks for more affordable, alternative ways to spruce up her home. The first-time buyer has now shared how she made her own Christmas door arch for a fraction of the price, after being quoted £700 by a florist. "Two years ago I was quoted £700 to have someone build a Christmas arch around my door," said Carrie. "I politely declined and each year I now make my own using greenery I have cut down from my garden. "I reused all of the piping and lights from last year which cost me £40, this year I only spent an additional £12.50 on baubles.