12 Ways to Decorate for Christmas That Work With Any Budget

I can’t wait to start decorating for Christmas. I love how it changes the whole mood of our home (and the people living in it), but I still have to think about our budget.

As fun as it would be to deck the halls with the most expensive, gorgeous decorations available, it’s not practical. We don’t have tons of disposable income to throw at brand-new wreaths, ornaments, and giant inflatables (they’re too big for our house anyway). So I love finding ways to create festive flair without breaking the bank.

I searched online for a few new-to-me ideas. I’ve used other tips on this list for years in my past apartments and houses. If you’re excited about decorating but want to keep your budget in check, here are 12 ways to make your home holiday-ready.

1. Repurpose Empty Bottles

Turn empty wine bottles into beautiful holders for taper candles. The wax creates a really cool effect as it melts and drips down the side of the glass. Place the bottle on a heat-resistant plate or trivet to protect your table from wax drips.

DiY BigBooM shows off several other ways to reimagine your old wine bottles. You can also turn glass jars into several festive Christmas decorations, including snow globes and these cute holiday gnomes.

2. Use Presents as Decorations

These ideas on HGTV suggest turning Christmas presents into decorations. It’s up to you if you want to use actual gifts or wrap a few empty boxes and arrange them in different ways.

You can turn presents into snowmen, stack them into a Christmas tree, or make an inspired wreath. When wrapping, be mindful of the colors you’re using. Find bows, ribbons, and other embellishments that work with your overall theme.

3. Create DIY Ornaments

Make your own ornaments using pine cones, old jewelry, or basic supplies from the craft store. When I was little I turned simple tri-beads and pipe cleaners into wreaths and candy canes, like these.

My husband, son, and I went hunting for pine cones a couple of years ago at the park. We fashioned them into sparkling ornaments using silver and gold paint and glitter. It was a great way to get inexpensive decorations and share some holiday fun.

4. Turn Dried Fruit Into Garland

This is one of those things I feel like I’ve always seen in Christmas movies but never did myself. However, it seems that making dried fruit garlands is a popular tradition in many families.

Fruits like apples, pears, and citrus options seem to be the most favorable choices. But I’ve also seen people string cranberries (and even popcorn, although that’s not a fruit).

5. Borrow from Nature (With Exceptions)

We’ve hunted for pine cones and turned them into ornaments. I also used them to make place-card holders for holiday dinners.

Fresh greenery becomes the foundation for holiday floral arrangements. If I don’t have it in my yard, we all go for a pleasant family stroll to see what’s fallen off of trees. Or you can visit a local park to see what’s up for grabs on the ground.

But this doesn’t apply to national parks, forests, and similar locations. They encourage the Leave No Trace Principle. Also, don’t trim or pick anything from anybody else’s garden without permission.

6. Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar

If you’re decorating for a holiday party, set up a hot chocolate bar to provide a tasty way to decorate a large surface area. You can use colorful mugs, candy canes, pretty glass jars filled with marshmallows, and include different flavors of cocoa.

A friend of mine did this for her Christmas party last year when she wasn’t sure how to decorate a dead space in the corner. It not only filled the room with holiday cheer, but it added to the menu.

7. Make Gingerbread Houses

We love putting together gingerbread houses every year (we actually do haunted house versions for Halloween, too). It’s not only a fun holiday tradition, but we end up with a meaningful (and tasty) decoration.

We’ve built houses, a train, and a little mini gingerbread village. Thanks to all the premade kits available, it’s super easy nowadays. We also have a LEGO gingerbread house that we take apart and rebuild every year and use as a centerpiece on our table.

8. Buy Next Year’s Decorations After the Season

Savvy shoppers probably already do this without even thinking about it. Wait until after the holiday to stock up on essentials and replace worn-out or damaged decorations.

When Christmas is over, you can find amazing pieces for 50 to 75% off. We usually assess our decorations at the start of the season and make a note of which ones are on their last leg. We use them one more time, then after the holidays, we go shopping for replacements to use next year.

9. Go Thrifting for Glassware

Thrift shopping for glassware is an affordable way to find unique pieces that add sparkle to your holiday decor. Glassware is also versatile: you can use it as vases, candle holders, candy dishes, etc.

Years ago I found a set of beautiful vintage, stemmed tea light holders. They have clear bases and stems and vivid red bowls and are very elegant and delicate looking. I got the set of five for about $12. They make an amazing statement down the center of a tablescape or on a high window sill adorned with garland.

10. Use Paint to Turn Basic Décor Into Holiday Treasures

So, I honestly cannot remember where I first picked up this hack (it was a long time ago). I was watching a design show, and they were redoing a room on a budget. The designer bought inexpensive decor items at a big-box store and garage sale.

One was an owl statue, and there was a set of ugly brass candle holders. She cleaned everything and spray-painted it all white. They looked like high-end home accessories.

I thought, why not apply the same concept to holiday decorating? Paint thrifty finds in your holiday color palette to create whimsical, seasonal vignettes.

11. Shop at the Dollar Store

You have to use a discerning eye when you shop for decorations at the dollar store, but it’s worth a trip. We use it to fill in basics like ornament and adhesive hooks, felt stockings to decorate, and replacement tinsel.

If you can save on these items, it frees up your holiday budget for decorations you get elsewhere. Plus, you never know what you might find — we’ve uncovered some pretty neat stuff digging through dollar store shelves.

12. Use Large Fabric Scraps as Table Runners and Chair Covers

Some table runners can cost $20 to $40 or more, and chair covers can cost about $6 to $20 each. It may not seem like it breaks the bank, but all that adds up. (Especially if you can use something else and spend that money on other things.)

Scope out the fabric scraps at your local craft shop for large pieces that fit your color palette. Use them as runners or toss them over covers and knot them or secure them with a pretty ribbon.

You can also use alternatives to table runners, like sheet music, reclaimed wood boards, colorful scarves, or fresh greenery.