5 Tips for Affordable Christmas Decor

Christmas decor can be daunting and if you are just starting out, the cost of acquiring it all can really add up quickly. When I got my first place, I started out with buying a garland because I felt it would make the biggest impact. I’ve added on little by little every year and have been gifted some keepsake items along the way but mostly, I make do with what I have and try to get by spending as little as possible. Until this year; I refused to make any major purchases mostly due to the fact that the decor budget just didn’t rank in importance when compared to the gift budget. And honestly, all the decor I bought this year will be serving a dual purpose as decoration for Jack’s 1st birthday (we are going with a woodland theme).

5 Tips for Affordable Christmas Decor

{ONE} Re-purpose what you already have.

Every year I scour my house for vases, bowls and serving platters to use as vessels for Christmas cheer. Sometimes they have been stashed away for future party decor and other times I use items that I typically have displayed throughout other seasons. I’ll dump out the flowers or other random fillers and change it up. Like the apothecary jars below; super simple and cheap! If you don’t have apothecary jars, any clear vase will do.

{TWO} DIY

Pinterest can be your best friend for ideas on the cheap. I usually pick a couple projects to do every year. One year I made a Peppermint Wreath {clickable link to tutorial}. Another year I made stockings (ahem, my mom mostly made the stockings…I have yet to master the sewing machine). This year, I made a typography canvas for a backdrop behind my Nativity Scene. I haven’t made a Christmas garland yet, but scrapbook paper, felt and tissue paper are very inexpensive and there are options galore out there for banners and garlands using these materials that would make fabulous additions to your holiday decorations.

{THREE} The inexpensive items can go a long way.

If you are first starting out I’d tell you to stock up on cheap basic ball ornaments of various sizes, some bead garland and Christmas picks. All of these items can be found super cheap and have endless options. You can use them in any type of vessel, to spruce up some plain garland and of course on your tree. I recently did a tutorial on painted mason jars {clickable link to tutorial} which is inexpensive and used picks as the filler.

{FOUR} Pick one investment item each year.

I try to add on one investment piece each year. This year I decided to redo my mantle (again most of these items will also serve dual purpose for Jack’s birthday party), last year I purchased matching stockings for the kids, and another year I purchased lights for the front yard. Well, ok, every year I spend an unplanned amount of money on lights or extension cords or timers for the front yard. Confession: It’s a money pit, but I’d like to rival Clark Griswold’s yard before the kids are old enough to roll their eyes at me. I promise I’ll try and keep it classy with all white lights.

{FIVE} Use Nature.

Got a holly tree? Shrubs? Any type of Evergreen in your yard? Bam. You’ve got Christmas decor. Clip a few branches to use instead of buying Christmas picks. Pinecones make a great filler. Paint them, frost them, use them naked just like God made them. A little creativity can make the simplest items amazing. I made an advent wreath {clickable link to tutorial} this year that will be serving as a centerpiece on our kitchen table using a glass bowl and candles that I got at 50% off and filled it with clippings from trees and shrubs from our yard. Easy, inexpensive and beautiful.

What tips do you have for affordable Christmas Decor?