Budget Friendly Holiday Decorating Ideas

Are you dreaming of dazzling holiday décor that rivals the photos on social media but don’t have a big, glamourous holiday budget? Whether you’re decorating a new home or just want to freshen up your current décor, there’s no need to break the bank on holiday decorations. With a little creativity you can have a beautifully decorated home and still have some money left over for gifts. Try these budget-friendly holiday decorating ideas to make your home look like a million bucks this holiday season.   

Forage in the Forest

Some of the best (and most realistic) holiday decorations are actually free if you know where to look! Head out into the great outdoors and collect evergreen boughs, birch branches, pinecones, and dried berries to transform your home into a wonderful wintery holiday scene. 

Tie fresh evergreen boughs together to make your own garland that’s simple yet festive. Then drape them across banisters, doorways, or a mantle to add a festive touch to any room. Dress up your front porch by arranging birch branches, evergreen boughs, pinecones and berries to an urn or large planter.  Add some lights and ribbon for a festive – and expensive-looking – holiday display that costs almost nothing.  

Turn Everyday Items into Holiday Decorations

If you love to decorate, but don’t have room to store all those decorations after the holidays are over, it’s time to change how you look at decorating. Instead of buying holiday-specific décor, try creating a little holiday magic with items you already have. 

Pretty cocktail glasses, vases and decorative bowls are the perfect base for beautiful holiday vignettes. Fill vases with ball ornaments and mini lights to create elegant centerpieces. Tie evergreen sprigs to glass jars with raffia or ribbon and add candles for easy festive décor. Create even more impact by grouping them together on a pretty tray.

Shop Smarter

With so many decorations in every store, it’s hard to avoid the pull of shiny, expensive things. But you’ll be amazed at how many great holiday decorations you can find at discount and dollar stores. Holiday décor doesn’t stay out for long and is rarely handled, so no one will ever know you didn’t splurge on the expensive stuff. 

The secret to dollar store finds is to embellish them with extras so they look more luxe. Try adding lights and ornaments to a plain discount wreath to take it to the next level. Or pick up a few different types of garland at the dollar store and use them together to create the look of a full and expensive garland. 

You can also make some great holiday décor discoveries at thrift and second-hand stores. So many people donate decorations every year that you can almost always find something special. And since vintage is in for the holidays, you might even be able to score some of this year’s big trends at a fraction of the price. Think bottle brush trees, ceramic trees, and those brightly coloured glass ornaments your grandparents used to have. 

Swap Your Stuff

As tastes and trends change, we inevitably want to switch-up our holiday décor too. Over the years this can result in a lot of decorations you don’t use anymore. Instead of tossing it and starting over, why not host a holiday ornament exchange? 

There are no gifts at this exchange and no shopping is required. All you have to do is collect up all those ornaments and decorations you aren’t using or loving and convince a bunch of friends to do the same. Then get everyone together for a friendly swap. It’s a great excuse to host a holiday get-together and everyone gets to go home with new décor!  

Let It Snow

It’s amazing how a blanket of fluffy, white snow can make everything feel more festive. This also applies inside your home as well. Add a layer of faux snow to your holiday decorating and suddenly your home becomes a winter wonderland.  You can pick up fake snow in a variety of formats at your local hardware, craft or department store for just a few dollars. 

Get the look of an expensive flocked tree for less with a can of spray snow. You can also use it on wreaths and garlands to carry the wintery look throughout your home.  Or, go back to your school days and get the kids involved in decorating with paper snowflakes.  Make a large batch and hang them in the windows, on the tree, and all around the house. You can even string them together to make a simple, low-cost garland for the mantle! 

Don’t blow your holiday budget bringing your Pinterest board to life! These five budget-friendly holiday decorating ideas are all you need to make you home look fabulous this holiday season.