20+ Tips To Decorate For Christmas On A Budget

You want a gorgeous holiday home without breaking the bank. But you feel like budget holiday décor looks…well, budget. It doesn’t have to! Learn how to decorate for Christmas on a budget!

Who says you have to spend an arm and a leg to have a spectacular and gorgeous Christmas? 

Here are some tips that will make it seem like you have high-end Christmas decorations on a low-end budget!

1. Choose Ornaments That Stand The Test of Time

You’ll save loads of money year-after-year if you are intentional in your choice or ornaments and Christmas decorations. Choose holiday decorations that won’t break easily, and are a classic style that will stand the test of time.

This may seem like an obvious or boring tip, but it requires careful effort, and trust me, your bank account will thank you in the long run.

2. Hang Nearly-Free Holiday Art

Don’t buy framed artwork just for the holidays… simply use a little sparkly washi tape to cover your existing art with Christmas inspired prints! This works over glass framed prints… then you can easily peel off the washi tape to remove the prints when you are done.

Download and print holiday stock images, or some of your favorite family holiday photos.

3. Zhush Up Dollar Store Ornaments

Clear ornaments from the dollar store are quite cheap, and after you are done with them they will appear as stunning as high end ornaments!

Learn how to make gold dipped ornaments filled with your favorite leftover wrapping paper, beads, ribbons, twine, or anything that moves you!

Or even personalize ornaments like these.

4. Integrate Candles Into Your Décor

Candles can add that magical ambiance to your holiday season, but they are also versatile and can be used year-round.

They bring in the scents of the holidays, while still being usable year round! Or you can go battery powered and decorate flameless luminaries with gold brush strokes, perfect for the holidays and lasts for years!

5. Shop Out-of-Season & Invest In Realistic Artificial Garlands & Trees

Did you know that out of season you can purchase beautiful fake garlands and trees at a deep discount!

In the winter you can use your garland to dress your table or mantle, in the spring turn it into a spring wreath, in the summer turn it into a topiary, in the fall dress it up with pumpkins and gourds, then come Christmas hang it from your mantel!

6. Add Twinkle Lights To Make Anything Festive!

Twinkle lights have this magical ability to make just about anything look festive! Don’t just reserve lighting for the tree. Place them in mason jars, wind them through your garlands, hang them on the fireplace, place cut greenery in bowls with string lights… the list goes on!

Small battery powered lights are quite inexpensive and come in sets. So you’ll have plenty to place throughout your home in different ways.

7. When You Can’t Put Up A Christmas Tree

Some may be traveling over the holidays, or perhaps aren’t in a position to handle a full sized tree. You can still enjoy (for much less) the greenery of a tree with a potted mini spruce, or even a rosemary bush.

Place mini gifts near your mini tree, and larger Christmas gifts stacked together on a coffee table or a shelf with twinkle lights and garlands wound between the gifts. It still looks special and integrates into the décor.

8. Salvage Nature’s Freebies Like Pine Cones & Branch Clippings

Pinecones and branch clippings are easily foraged and makes for fantastic free holiday decorations.

Give them luxury style with a glitter spray paint, place them in bowls, in vignettes, or layer on burlap for a nature-inspired vibe.

9. Turn Thrifted Glass Into Candle Holder Centerpieces

You can always find glass hurricane lamps and vases for a couple bucks at a thrift store (or dollar store). Give them a more festive finish by using metallic spray paint, gold leafing, mirror effect spray paint, or mercury glass spray paint.

Shot glasses with liquid gold leafing on the inside makes for an amazing DIY taper candle holder for just a few bucks!

10. Make Stylish Paper Snowflakes

Paper snowflakes can be made in any size and style desired, and hung with a clear piece of thread and push pin (or tape) from just about any surface.

Make a winter wonderland for free out of paper bags, or learn how to make holiday stars out of coffee filters as shown by Amy of Delineate Your Dwelling!

11. Use Food Ingredients To Make A Garland

Orange slice garlands can be used year-after-year when dried properly.

But even one-and-done cranberry garlands or popcorn garlands can be very inexpensive and a great way to make memories as a family activity!

12. Make Your Own Ornaments

Get crafty and make your own ornaments with simple materials. Like this tutorial for a unique Japanese paper fan ornaments made by Up To Date Interiors, or make marbled DIY Christmas ornaments from Designing Vibes.

I made the ornaments pictured below which just uses a little big of gold jewelry wire, glitter, and clear plastic laminating sheets.

13. Style Coffee Tables & Dining Areas With Holiday Bouquets

Floral bouquets are a fresh way to add holiday cheer to your Christmas decor while on a budget!

Fill your vase halfway with water, cranberries (which will float), then layer in pine boughs, flowers, and glitter sprayed pine cones on skewers. See this holiday bouquet made two ways!

14. Start With A Simple Wreath & Customize It For A New Look

Instead of buying wreaths that are already styled with accessories, get a simple one that can be changed from year to year.

15. Shop Dollar Stores, Thrift Shops, & Antique Shops

Wondering where to shop to keep your holiday budget intact? Dollar stores have a surprising selection of cute Christmas ornaments, Christmas wreaths, and candle holders. You can easily customize these to fit into your specific design style.

16. Re-Use Ribbons In Your Decoration

Each year, save your favorite ribbons from gifts and turn them into bows for your tree, or wind them through wreaths, or garlands. You can also place them amid battery powered lights, and small ornaments in a jar.

Even if you purchase a roll of ribbon, there are a lot of different ways to use them year after year, and very inexpensive to buy.

17. Make It Smell Like The Holidays

Scent is a very powerful part of design that evokes memories, and makes it feel like the holidays.

Press cloves into oranges for a spiced citrusy scent. If you press cloves around the entire orange, it will help preserve it for much longer.

18. Subtle Holiday Hints Make Everything Seem Christmas Specific

You might think you need lots of Christmas specific decor to make it look and feel like the holidays. But you would be surprised at what a small candle holder filled with ornaments, and other natural elements can do!

Here I made my dining room pop with a simple but stunning holiday tablescape and vignette styling. Frankly the only item in here that has anything to do with the holidays are the small ornaments!

19. Craft Your Own Holiday Decorations

It doesn’t take much to make a Christmas-y vignette! Filled cups or jars with ornaments, and a craft project or two!

This fireplace stocking holder is just a rectangular box with towel hooks on the outside. And the Sleigh Rides sign are just a couple pieces of scrap wood nailed together, painted or stained, and stenciled to say whatever you desire!

20. Focus On Traditions

Remember, a beautiful house is wonderful, but the holiday spirit is all about making memories and engaging with loved ones.

Put more emphasis on making the time special! Make some fun memories  stringing popcorn garlands together, designing your own Christmas aprons and bags, making gingerbread houses, and more!

Have a Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!

Just because you are enjoying Christmas on a budget doesn’t mean it can’t be a wonderful time for the entire family.

Like This? You’ll Love These Holiday Projects!

Looking for other projects to help you decorate for Christmas on a budget?

Make a beautiful holiday mantel light and stocking holder from scrap wood. Or a trendy stocking hanger box for the mantel.

Also discover some cute and clever gift ideas for the holidays (that can also be quite budget friendly!)

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