Christmas decorations Archives

Christmas decorating — Image Source: Pexels

Have you been scrolling through Instagram looking with envy at everyone’s gorgeous Christmas settings? While you may think that this kind of decorating is simply out of your budget, it doesn’t have to be. Creating a beautiful Christmas setting doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. With a little creativity and deal hunting, you can create the Christmas setting of your dreams. Here we’ll discuss seven cheap Christmas decorating ideas to utilize this season.

1. Look to Nature

DIY Christmas wreath — Image Source: Pexels

The best part about finding decorations in nature is that it’s free! You can collect birch branches, pine for centerpiece fillers or wreaths, holly branches, and pinecones. All of these items make stunning natural additions to your Christmas setting and cost you nothing. If you live in a coastal area, driftwood makes lovely decor, and oyster shells when polished and painted make elegant ornaments. For cheap Christmas decorating ideas, look at what is available to you first.

2. Swap Decor with a Friend

Decoration swap cheap holiday decorating ideas — Image Source: Pexels

If you’re tired of your Christmas decorations, why not host a decorations swap with your friends? This is one of the best cheap Christmas decorating ideas to implement this year. We often hear about clothing swaps, but a decoration swap could be a fun way to ring in the holidays with friends or family. You could find the perfect decor to elevate the decorations you already have. To make the event extra fun, have everyone bring Christmas cookies and have a cookie exchange too!

3. Use Non-Christmas Items

Non-traditional Christmas items for decorations — Image Source: Pexels

Sometimes Christmas settings are a little too on-the-nose. If your goal is to create elegant and timeless decor, add some non-traditional items. Items like baskets, cozy throws, sleds, ice skates, and milk jugs can often be found at thrift stores or garage sales. Because they aren’t traditional Christmas decorations, you probably won’t see the price markup that is typical with decorations before the holidays.

4. Decorate with Printable Art

Cheap Christmas Decorating Ideas Printable Art — Image Source: Pexels

Have you thought about changing out your artwork for the holidays? This is a great affordable way to create a Christmas setting. If you aren’t artsy, digital downloads are very affordable. You can find themed digital prints on Etsy or Zazzle. Then, with a thrifted frame, you can have a one-of-a-kind piece of holiday art. If you have kids or are artistic, you can create your own holiday art with watercolors.

5. Focus on Cozy Lighting

Sometimes creating the perfect holiday setting isn’t about decorations at all. Just making your lighting warm and cozy can change the whole mood of your space. Simple twinkle lights are a good addition. Adding in winter-scented candles is always a nice touch as well. You can even repurpose candles you already have with some DIY hacks. Take a look at this video for some ideas.

6. Wrap Gifts and Use Them as Decor

If you are already wrapping presents, why not use extra boxes as decorations? Wrapped presents don’t just look beautiful under the tree. Use them to fill baskets and sleighs, or add them to your tablescape. The same is true for any extra ornaments. Add them to a glass cylinder and you have a sophisticated centerpiece.

7. Utilize Sales

The best sales on Christmas decorations are usually after the holiday. However, you still can find incredible deals leading up to Christmas. Stores like Lowes, Target, and Michael’s usually have Christmas clearance sales as the holiday gets closer. Make sure to utilize coupons too for added discounts. There’s no need to pay full price to create beautiful Christmas decor.

Cheap Christmas Decorating Ideas That Look Expensive

Hopefully, with these cheap Christmas decorating ideas, you are inspired to create a beautiful Christmas setting that looks anything but cheap. From DIY hacks to shopping tips, decorating for the holidays doesn’t have to break your budget.

What are your favorite inexpensive holiday decorations? How do you stay on budget during the holidays?

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Teri Monroe

Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.

Get Married During the Holidays

Okay, not everyone will do this, but because our wedding was so close to Christmas, many guests bought us holiday décor. We got a snowman Christmas cookie jar, some keepsake ornaments, and holiday plates and towels. Those items weren’t on our registry, but we loved them because they gave us things to decorate the apartment.

Shop Clearance AFTER the Holidays

This tip won’t help you with decorating this year, but if you have patience, you can get holiday decorations for 70 to 80 percent off if you shop AFTER the holidays. You will see the steepest discounts the first five days after Christmas. Then, next year, you’ll have decorations for your home, and you’ll know that you got them at rock-bottom prices.

Shop Michael’s

If you sign up for Michael’s email list, the company will regularly send you coupons, often for 40 percent off the price of one full-price item or 20 percent off all items, including items on sale. You can use these coupons to buy holiday decorations or supplies needed to make your holiday decorations, which is what I did.

Make Your Own Holiday Decorations

I made some of my holiday decorations using the supplies I bought at Michael’s for a discount. For instance, I made a garland wreath to hang on our front door at a fraction of the price of a pre-made wreath.

Final Thoughts

With patience, you can easily decorate for the holidays on a budget. Finding all the decorations you want, whether large or small, may take you a few years. However, waiting is worthwhile, especially when your budget is tight and you need to save money. My husband and I have accumulated our decorations through the years, and we’ve spent very little money doing so.