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With these decorating Christmas ideas on a budget, you don’t have to spend all your hard-earned holiday money. There are tons of ways to transform your home into a fun and festive winter wonderland! With a little creativity (and a lot of Christmas spirit), you can create a magical atmosphere without breaking the bank.
Decorating Christmas Ideas on a Budget
Make DIY Ornaments
Christmas ornaments can be an expensive purchase, especially since you have to buy so many of them! But what you hang on your tree doesn’t have to cost more than all the presents underneath it. Making your own ornaments is a great way to save money while also giving your home a more personalized aesthetic.
For example, you can make popcorn garland with just a needle and thread kit and your favorite store-bought kernels. You can also follow this DIY tutorial for dried citrus fruit ornaments that smell and look amazing!
Opt for a Mini Tree
Doesn’t it seem like the cost of having Christmas trees has gone up each year? Instead of splurging on a real tree (or even an expensive fake one), consider a tinsel mini tree instead. For a fraction of the price, you can still have something festive to gather around during the holidays.
Plus, it doesn’t take up much space, so it’s great for small spaces or apartment living. And since it’s made from tinsel, you can reuse it year after year, saving you even more money in the long run!
Look Outside for a Homemade Wreath
Like Christmas trees, a wreath can also be a costly holiday purchase. But the truth is, wreaths are incredibly easy to make, especially if you can collect materials outside. Go for a stroll around the park or neighborhood and look for twigs, branches, or dried leaves. If you can’t find any greenery, feel free to use fake greenery (which is often often cheaper than real plants).
Display Christmas Cards
Don’t just shove all the Christmas cards you’ve received into a drawer. Instead, use those notes from friends and family to decorate your home. You can display the greeting cards simply by lining them up on your bookshelf or mantel. Or you can thread them on a string or clothespin line to make your own Christmas card garland!
Create a Natural Centerpiece
Not sure how to decorate your table for your holiday dinner or party? One of the most affordable ways to create a centerpiece is using natural materials. Instead of buying expensive decorations, gather pine cones, branches, and twigs. They can be arranged in a bowl or laid across the table along with Christmas candles or fairy lights.
Want to add a pop of color? Some dried orange slices or fresh cranberries can add a bright accent to the table. Or get creative and try one of these candlestick or floating candle DIY tutorials for your holiday centerpiece!
Decorate with Printables
If you have a printer at home, then you can let your imagination run wild with Christmas-themed printables. Spruce up your space by printing wall art of holiday quotes or seasonal illustrations and framing them for wall art. You can also cut out letters to make a cheery banner for over the fireplace or table.
Printables can also be used for ornaments. Cut out snowflakes of stars or make customized photo ornaments of your favorite memories. You can even do some folding origami to make a 3D star or angel topper for your tree!
Homemade Gift Wrapping
To add a personal and creative touch to your presents, consider making your own wrapping paper. By taking brown kraft paper, you can hand draw or stamp different designs to your liking. Or for low-effort wrapping, new papers and magazines can also be used! Wrapping your presents in upcycled fabric or reusable wrapping paper can be an eco-friendly alternative too.
Instead of buying bows, you can use twine or yarn. Not only does this add a rustic flair to your gifts, but it also can be reused for future presents!
DIY Your Own Advent Calendar
Advent calendars aren’t just a way to countdown to Christmas. They can also be used for decorating Christmas ideas on a budget! There are so many different DIY tutorials out there. You can make a hanging display with a hanger and Christmas-themed treat boxes. Or you can create a little mini village advent calendar on your coffee table. If you’re crafty with a sewing machine, stitch together fabric pieces to make a pocket calendar.
Create Napkin Christmas Crackers
Store-bought Christmas crackers are easy, but they’re expensive and contain toys that you probably won’t keep past dessert. Reusable fabric crackers, on the other hand, can be made using a few simple materials you already have lying around the house.
Start by stuffing an empty toilet paper roll with printed jokes and a piece of candy. Then wrap it in a cloth napkin and tie the ends with two pieces of ribbon. You don’t snap and pull them, so you won’t get that loud pop. But it’s still a nice (and cheap!) addition to your festive holiday table.
Between all the holiday shopping and the trips to visit family, the holidays can be an expensive time of year. By using these decorating Christmas ideas on a budget, you can create a magical atmosphere without spending too much. Not only will these budget-friendly ideas save you money, but they’ll also add a personal touch to your home. So don’t be afraid to get a little creative this holiday season! With a little Christmas spirit (and some at-home crafting supplies), you can still capture the joy of what the holidays are all about.
