10 Cheap Ways to Decorate For Christmas

Are you trying to decorate your home for the holidays on a budget? Find 10 Cheap Ways to Decorate for Christmas this year.

Cranberries and popcorn garland as a cheap way to decorate for Christmas

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Now that the Christmas season is upon us, you may be thinking about how you want to decorate your home for the holidays. But, between the rising costs of just about everything and trying to save money for Christmas gifts, it can be a daunting task.

This year, I’ve decided to take a more minimalistic approach to Christmas decorating. As much as I love decorating for Christmas, it can get really expensive. So, instead of spending a lot to achieve a perfectly-themed Christmas tree and home, I’ve been looking for ways to decorate on a budget.

If you are feeling the Christmas pinch too, and want to spend less time and money on decorating and more time on family Christmas traditions, then here are some helpful tips for spending less on holiday decor this year.

Looking for more ways to save money this Christmas?

Christmas tree with lights and red bulb

10 Cheap Ways to Decorate for Christmas

If you are trying to decorate your home for Christmas on a tight budget, then this list may be just what you need to transform your home into a winter wonderland for less.

Concentrate on one room

When you have very little money to spend on holiday decor, then try to concentrate on decorating just one room in your home. Although I have some garland and a few Christmas signs from Dollar Tree in my kitchen, I’ve decided to focus on the living room this year.

It’s the place where we spend most of our time as a family, enjoying Christmas treats and watching our favorite holiday movies. So, it only makes sense to spend time decorating in there so we can enjoy all the holiday decor.

Christmas garland with pinecones on mantel

Reuse What You Have

If you have years’ worth of old Christmas decorations packed away, spend some time decluttering them. Look and see what can be repurposed into something completely new. You may be surprised by what you can come up with.

I really wanted to find a garland to hang over our fireplace this year, but I couldn’t justify the huge price tag. So, I did a little research to figure out what I wanted it to look like and using some old garland, red berries, small pinecones, and battery-operated lights, I was able to get the garland I wanted for less than $5.

Putting pinecones and berries on Christmas wreath

Make an inexpensive Christmas Wreath

Do you have an old grapevine wreath laying around your home? Believe it or not, you can make an inexpensive Christmas wreath with just an old grapevine wreath, garland, ribbon, and a few picks of berries and pinecones.

That is exactly what I decided to do this year to save money on our Christmas wreath for our door. I wrapped the garland around a grapevine wreath I had on hand and then picked up some buffalo check ribbon and greenery picks with berries and pinecones from Walmart which were a little over a dollar apiece.

Then, I added a small winter sign that I already had in my Christmas decorations for a beautiful and inexpensive Christmas wreath that I can leave up all winter long.

Christmas wreath with snowman sign

Get Holiday Pillows and Throws

If you are looking for a way to add a little holiday flair to your living room without spending a lot of money, then try adding some cute holiday pillows and throws. 

You can usually pick up inexpensive Christmas blankets at Walmart for less than $5 this time of year. If you are looking for something a little heavier, I have this one from Amazon in my cart and I just purchased these adorable Christmas pillow covers. 

Print Free Christmas Wall Art

Who doesn’t love free wall art? There are so many great options for free Christmas printables on Pinterest. Last year, I made this Christmas Cookie Printable because we love baking (and eating) Christmas cookies in our home.

This year, since I’m trying to keep things simple, I created this Merry Little Christmas Printable that you can print out and frame. Printables are such a great way to decorate your home when you are on a budget.

Hot cocoa bar sign with hot cocoa marshmallows and candy

Make a Hot Cocoa Bar

Make a little corner of your kitchen more festive with a hot cocoa bar. It’s not only perfect for holiday parties but you can keep it up throughout the entire Christmas season for some easy (and delicious) holiday decor.

Paper snowflakes on wood table

Make Homemade Snowflakes

When all else fails, try making some homemade snowflakes. You can make these snowflakes (Real Simple) and hang them around the room or from the ceiling. It’s a great way to add inexpensive Christmas decorations to your home for very little money.

starlight mint candies in a glass candy dish

Decorate with Candy

One of my fondest memories of Christmas, when I was growing up, was visiting my grandmother during the holidays and seeing all her candy bowls filled with ribbon candy and peanut brittle. I have continued the tradition of filling candy dishes during the holidays.

Candy decorations are not only a festive way to decorate your home but you get to enjoy all the sweet treats all season long.

White candle with berries and greenery

Make your Home Smell Like Christmas

A budget-friendly way to make your home feel more inviting during the holiday season is to find ways to make your home smell like Christmas. You can pick up holiday candles, some wax warmers, or just simmer potpourri over the stove (a mix of orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla).

Orange slices, cranberries and cinnamon sticks in a pot

Of course, making sure your home is clean and holiday-ready can make it feel cozier and inviting as well. Here is my Holiday Cleaning Checklist to get your home ready for Christmas.

You may like: Speed Cleaning for the Holidays

Wood slice Christmas ornaments on wood background

Make DIY Tree Ornaments

One of our favorite holiday traditions is making homemade ornaments for our Christmas tree. We love using these wood slices and decorating them by putting the year, our names, or any Christmas sayings or words on them.

Here are a few other cute DIY Christmas ornaments you may like:

 

DIY wreath with buttons and ribbon from jar lid

Mason Jar Lid Wreath Ornament– When is Dinner?

These Mason Jar lid ornaments are super easy to make and look adorable.

Cinnamon Ornaments shaped like Christmas tree, star and snowman

Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments– Strength and Sunshine

All you need is 2 ingredients to make these super simple and easy Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments! A great DIY holiday craft or fun Christmas gift for both kids and adults to make and customize!

Blue, pink, and yellow paper ornaments

Paper Ornaments– The Printables Fairy

Make these cute paper ornaments with this free printable template, available in 3 different colors.

Christmas tree clay ornaments on a wood background

Clay Christmas Tree Ornaments-Mom Always Finds Out

Learn how to create a modern Christmas tree-shaped ornament, embossed with a snowflake pattern, using oven-baked clay.

Tree shaped cinnamon sticks wrapped in ribbon

Cinnamon Stick Ribbon Ornament-In the Playroom

These cinnamon sticks and ribbon Christmas tree ornaments have a beautiful rustic style to decorate your tree this holiday season.

Salt shaker ornament with picture inside

Salt Shaker Snow Glove Ornament- The Soccer Mom Blog

These Salt Shaker Snow Globe Ornaments are uniquely beautiful handmade Christmas ornaments and holiday keepsakes. This DIY picture snow globe ornament is perfect to make in the classroom as a take-home gift for parents or at crafting parties!

White macrame ornament

Macrame Christmas Ornament- Lovely Indeed

So simple to make, these charming macrame Christmas tree ornaments look great with boho holiday decor!

Pink and white gnome ornament out of yarn

DIY Pink Gnome Ornament-DIY With My Guy

Adorable DIY pink gnome Christmas tree ornaments made from yarn. Have fun with these simple DIY Christmas gnomes to add to your Scandi Christmas decor!

There you go,10 Cheap Ways to Decorate for Christmas. Hopefully, you’ve been able to find some inspiration to decorate on a budget this year. Happy Holidays!!

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