I love to decorate my home for Christmas! What I don’t like to do, especially at this time of year, is spend a lot of money on decor. So today I’m going to show you seven ways you can decorate your home for Christmas on a budget!
Come along and see how I decorated my home without spending a fortune!
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Seven ways to decorate for Christmas on a budget
1) Don’t pay full price for decor
I love to decorate for every season and Christmas is no exception!
Because I change things so often, I can’t afford to buy expensive decor items!
So, I’m always on the lookout for great bargains!
Shop the clearance section year-round
This gorgeous pillow cover is the inspiration for my Christmas decor in the living room!
It was on clearance back in the Summer, and I think I paid $6 for it. I bought two!
I’ll be using white, cream, and champagne colors on my tree!
You’ll get to see the tree in a bit, but first, I want to show you another huge bargain I found!
Shop after Christmas Clearance sales
As soon as Christmas is over, I start thinking about how I can decorate the next year!
I ask myself questions like, “what was missing” or “what would I like to add next season!”
Then, I hit the stores and buy decor at deeply discounted prices.
Last year, I purchased the garland you see on my stairs at Michael’s for 70% off.
And this Christmas, it’s the star of my foyer!
I love the simplicity of it!
What did I do with the garland I used on the stairs last year?
I used it in a new way!
Want to see where it is now?
2) Reuse Christmas decor in new ways
My old garland is now welcoming guests to our home on the front porch!
If you follow the blog, you’ll start to pick up on the fact that I use the same decor over and over, but I use it in a different place than the year before!
The same decor items can look completely different when you put them in a new place.
You’ll save tons of money by rotating your decor around your house!
*Tip- I purchased the huge poinsettias from Costco for $14.99 apiece. Such a major bargain!!
3)Use foraged items to decorate with
To embellish my garland and wreath on the front door, I used pine cones.
I brought several tubs full of pinecones that I collected from my yard in Kentucky.
Foraged items are free, so check your yard (and your relatives and friends’ yards too) and see what you can find to decorate with.
Here are some examples of items you might find:
- Evergreen pieces
- Holly and berries
- Magnolia leaves
- Pampas grass
- Sticks/twigs
- Acorns
If you pick up pinecones outside and want to use them inside, check out this post on how to prepare pinecones for indoor use!
I know the antique bells look like they came from Pottery Barn, but in reality, I bought them at Walmart for $10 and painted them to look just like the ones that cost $69 at PB! You can see the DIY here!
4) Incorporate thrifted finds into Christmas decor
Another great way to decorate for Christmas on a budget is to use thrifted finds!
I love to shop at thrift stores, flea markets, and discount stores.
A few weeks ago, Rich and I went to Renninger’s Antique and Collector’s Extravaganza in Mount Dora.
We came home with a few new treasures!
I found these three frames for a steal!
We hung them on the wall in our stairwell!
Then, I added three small wreaths.
The wreaths are a new purchase this year, I bought them at Hobby Lobby for 60% off!
I could not have made them that cheap!
5) Use velvet ribbon
A trend I’m loving this year is the use of velvet ribbon.
Did you notice it on the staircase?
I used pink ribbon to coordinate with the Christmas decor in my dining room.
If you missed that post, you can see how I added lots of pink and sparkles to my dining room, here!
Next, I hung a basket on the coat rack in my foyer and added a pink ribbon to it!
Now let’s head to the living room because I used velvet ribbon in several places there.
On a wreath!
On the mirror!
And on my Christmas tree!
6) DIY your own Christmas decor
My very favorite way to save money on Christmas decorations is to make them myself!
There are so many DIY projects in this room, it’s hard to know where to begin.
Let’s start with the cone Christmas trees!
Last year I made cone trees out of yarn! You can see the DIY here!
This year, I made them out of drop cloth and ribbons! See how to make them here!
I had leftover supplies, so I made two types of ornaments to match. See that DIY here!
In the Spring, I made a piece of art, as you can see in the background, out of paper flowers. I also used the flowers to make a garland and a wreath.
Someone mentioned I should use them on my Christmas tree and I took their advice!
I tucked them in the branches, and now I just wish I could remember who told me that, so I could thank them!
I made my tree topper out of old floral picks I’ve had for years!
The nutcrackers are a new purchase this year, I bought them for 60% off.
7) Paint old decor items to update them
A great way to give your old decor a new look is to paint it.
I gave this statue of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus one coat of white chalk paint. It used to be bright gold but the paint toned it down! I love the neutral look it has now!
A little paint can completely transform a decor item!
I considered painting my nativity set, but was afraid I would regret it!
Did you notice the new addition to our living room?
Rich and I decided to give each other a picture frame TV for Christmas!
Another reason I like to decorate our home on a budget is that we like to save our money and buy a “splurge” item occasionally!
I hope you enjoyed seeing how easy it is to decorate your home for Christmas on a budget!
Now I’m going to grab a cup of coffee and watch a Christmas movie on our new TV!
Happy decorating!
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Until next time, follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram!
Blessings, Donna and Rich
Pin It For Later
Don’t forget to save this pin so you can come back to it at a later date!
More Christmas Inspiration
Would you like to see more Christmas decorating posts? Just click the links below:
- Christmas in the Dining Room
- How to Style a Christmas Village in a China Cabinet
- Add a Little Christmas to Your Kitchen
- How to Decorate for Christmas with Inspiration from a Wreath
- Welcome Holiday Guests with a Festive Front Porch
Get The Look
Since I made most of the decor in my living room, I don’t have links for most items, but I tried to find similar items for your convenience!
- Rattan Christmas Tree Skirt
- Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Garland, Green
- Velvet Ribbon Spool
- Christmas Wooden Unfinished Nutcracker Figurines
- Christmas Ball Ornaments for Xmas Decorations
- Christmas Ball Ornaments Shatterproof Clear Large Plastic Hanging Ball
- White Velvet Ribbon Spool
- Farmhouse Ball Ornaments Distressed Metal Glass Ball
- Christmas Ball Ornaments
- Nativity Set
- Rustic Metal Hanging Giant Cow Bells
- Pine Tree Tabletop Christmas Tree
- Artificial Flocked Spruce Wreath
- Smokey Pine Garland
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Your home looks beautiful, Donna and Rich! I’m with you! Reuse and buy when you can get a good sale! Happy Holidays to you!
Hi Kim! Thanks so much! We hope you have a wonderful holiday as well!
Hi Donna! I love this post. I am at the point in my life where I am trying to have LESS stuff. Especially less Christmas stuff. You offered so many good tips – like finding new uses/ repurposing your Christmas decor. Your home looks absolutely beautiful. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Definitely Pinned!!
Hi Anna, Glad you enjoyed the post! When we lived in KY, we could put Christmas decor in our attic, and we had a basement. Here in FL, it’s too hot to put stuff in the attic, so we have very limited storage! This is probably a good thing, it keeps me from accumulating too much stuff!
Hi Donna!!
I LOVE this post! First, your home looks so pretty for Christmas! I love the simple and calm color palette that you chose.
Second, I as well don’t like to spend hardly anything on decor, especially seasonal. I got that EXACT same garland from Michael’s this year actually…it was like $9 or something. It’s SO pretty!!
Third, I love how you mentioned using decor in different areas of your home…it looks brand new in a new area of the home.
Great post, Donna!! Happy Christmas!
Thank you, Rachel! I did buy the garland at Michaels last year after Christmas and purchased all they had. It was enough for the stairs, but I wanted a few more. Unfortunately, my store doesn’t have them this year. Since you said you bought the same thing (great minds think alike) I’m going to look online for them! Can’t wait to see what you do with yours!
This post is amazing Donna! I do all the same things! Great minds think alike. I always shop the after x-mas sales, use thrifted finds and use my decor in different ways. It really is the best way to go! Your house looks beautiful. Have a great week and Merry Christmas
Thank you, my friend! You are too kind! We have so much in common, I’m not surprised you do the same things! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Love this post Donna! All great ideas and I do them too. Your home looks so lovely and I am loving the velvet ribbon touches! Enjoy the season my friend. XO- MaryJo
Hi Mary Jo! Thanks so much! Isn’t it amazing how a simple velvet ribbon can elevate the look of your Christmas decor? I’ve really enjoyed using it this season! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
I still can’t get over your ribbon tree, absolutely stunning.
Hi, Rachel! I’m thrilled with the trees too! They are very pretty and add so much to my Christmas decor this year! Thank you!!
This is all so beautiful Donna! Thanks so much for the fabulous tips and for sharing how you incorporated off-season and vintage finds. Every time I find something off-season I only think about having to store it but I can see now how much more budget-friendly it is to buy things that way. I can’t wait to try this next year! Hugs, CoCo
Thank you, CoCo! I know what you mean, storage is always a concern since we moved to FL! I miss my basement, lol!! Hugs, Donna