This just in: A plain tree with silver and gold baubles is so last season and the plastic mistletoe and string lights from the box in the garage won’t cut it anymore. Fortunately, you don’t need to go on a shopping spree and exhibit all of the store’s holiday stock in your home to bring the Christmas spirit to life. You can make your very own decorations this holiday season without sacrificing your food and gift budget. Here are some cheap Christmas decorating ideas anyone can try:
1. DIY Paper Ornaments
Paper ornaments top the list of the cheapest and most versatile Christmas decorating ideas anyone can try. All you need is some colorful or patterned paper, a pair of scissors, and glue. You can make anything from stars and snowflakes to miniature Christmas trees and snowmen. Use brown craft paper or pages from old books for a vintage feel, or use metallic paper with glitter for something more modern. Turn the entire DIY project into a family activity and let the kids make their own paper ornaments. When you’re done, hang them on your tree with twine or ribbon.
2. Edible Garlands
Edible garlands bring a charm to Christmas decorating that store-bought items could never. Make some hot cocoa and get the kids ready, because popcorn strings are making a comeback this holiday season and it’s a cheap Christmas decorating idea anyone can try. Dry some oranges in the oven and they’ll fill your home with a citrus scent for weeks. Use a needle and thread to add them to garlands along with popcorn and cranberries. These decorations are easy to make and they’re biodegradable, which makes cleaning up after all of the fun so much easier.
3. Salt Dough Ornaments
If you’ve got flour, salt, and water, you’ve got ornaments. Make your own sentimental keepsakes that double as Christmas decorations by mixing the ingredients to form a dough. Shape it into stars and hearts and anything Christmas-themed, or let your kids make their own handprints. Bake the shapes in the oven and let it cool before painting and decorating them however you like. Tie them up with ribbon or twine and hang them on your tree or display them on the dinner table. If you seal and store these ornaments properly, they’ll last for years, but it’s so fun that you’ll want to make new ones every year.
4. Pinecone Ornaments
Pinecones are nature’s free Christmas decorations. Collect a couple from outside and clean them up for some cheap Christmas decorating ideas anyone can try. You can spray them white to resemble show or dip the edges in glue and glitter. If you’d like, you can also leave them plain and natural with a red ribbon tied around the top. Cluster the lot into wreaths or use them as beautiful centerpieces, or hang them on the Christmas tree. If you add a few drops of essential oils, they’ll give your home a festive smell.
5. Family Photo Ornaments
Christmas is family time and you can convey this message with some photo ornaments. Print small pictures and laminate them or add them to small inexpensive frames. Tie on a piece of ribbon or twine to each picture and hang them. It’s a cheap way to create ornaments that hold a lot of sentimental value. Use the same pictures each year or choose only those that were taken during the current year for a trip down memory lane around the Christmas tree.
6. DIY Lanterns
Christmas lights aren’t always colorful and flashy. Sometimes, simple elegance shines a lot brighter. Take some empty jars or cans and cut out Christmas shapes like stars and snowflakes. Paint the outsides and place tea lights or battery-powered candles inside. Line these makeshift lanterns along your porch or windowsills, or place them on your mantel. These lanterns don’t just make cheap Christmas decor ideas anyone can try, but they’re also fully customizable. You can make them in any shapes and sizes, and choose any colors to match your Christmas theme.
7. Mason Jar Lights
Mason jars are just as effective and you can fill them with fairy lights paired with pine branches, cranberries, or fake snow. Tie a ribbon or some twine around the top of the jar and you’ve got festive holiday vignettes that can be reused for years to come. They work indoors or out and you can cluster several together as centerpieces or place them individually along your walkways.
8. DIY Snowglobes
Snowglobes can be expensive, especially during the holiday season. Fortunately, you can bring instant holiday magic to your home by making your own DIY snowglobes. It’s surprisingly simple! All you need are clear jars, small Christmas-related figurines, glitter, and water. Glue the tree, reindeer, or Santa figurines to the jar lid. Fill the jar with water and some glitter, and then screw the lid back on tightly. Flip it over and voila, you’ve got a charming homemade snowglobe. You can also make dry snowglobes with fake snow instead of water.
9. DIY Gnomes
Over the years, the popularity of Christmas gnomes has risen. In fact, it’s become a beloved holiday trend. You can use socks with rice or stuffing to make your own cheap Christmas decor ideas anyone can try. Give them little faux fur beards and dress them with pieces of felt. Display them under the tree or let them sit on the shelves to add a whimsical touch to your decor. Kids have a lot of fun making them and they make great homemade gifts. Plus, you can make an entire family for the price of one store-bought gnome.
10. Clothespin Garlands
Wooden clothespins are such ordinary items, but they can easily be transformed into cheap yet festive Christmas decorations. Paint them red, green, or white, or dip them in glitter, and clip them onto twine, ribbon, or string. It’s that easy! Then, hang them over the mantel, stair railings, or even around the Christmas tree. You can also glue them to the back of star shapes to make ornaments.
11. Christmas Baskets
Fill wicker baskets with everything you can find that’s related to Christmas. Think pinecones, greenery, ornaments, wrapped empty boxes, and so forth. Place them by the fireplace, in your entryway, or even your porch for a welcoming touch. If it doesn’t look festive enough, you can tie on a plaid ribbon or drape a cozy blanket over the side. It keeps things organized and it’s enough to make your home feel festive, even if it’s the only decor you’ve got.
12. Herb Wreaths
Plastic wreaths are overpriced and they actually look cheap. Instead of wasting money on those, make your own using herbs like rosemary, thyme, or eucalyptus. They smell amazing and they dry beautifully. It’s as easy as bundling herbs together with twine and shaping them into a circle. You can use floral wire to secure them if needed. Add a ribbon or small ornaments for a subtle holiday accent, or keep it plain with just the herbs. Herb wreaths are cheap, eco-friendly, and they bring the Christmas spirit to your house in a cheap, natural way.
13. Ladder Christmas Tree
There are a couple of reasons why you’d choose a ladder tree. It’s ideal for minimalists, small apartments, or if you’re short on money. Maybe you just don’t like the look of a Christmas tree or you don’t want to deal with the hassles of an artificial tree. Or you’re looking for cheap Christmas decor ideas anyone can try rather than store-bought items. Take a wooden ladder and decorate it with string lights, garlands, and ornaments. Just like that, you have a modern tree that doesn’t take up a lot of space or break the bank.
14. Wall Christmas Tree
Ladder trees save a lot of space, but sometimes that isn’t enough. For an even more compact Christmas tree option, you can make your own tree on an open wall. Use string lights, greenery, washi tape, or twine to create the outline of a tree on your wall. Hang lightweight ornaments or photographs on the tree or leave it as is. These trees also work well if your kids want their own trees in their rooms but you don’t want to purchase extras.
15. Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
Don’t toss those empty toilet paper rolls! Instead, turn them into festive Christmas crafts because they make the perfect cheap Christmas decor ideas anyone can try. Get everybody together and make an entire holiday activity out of it. Cut, paint, and decorate the empty rolls to make stars, reindeer, angels, or even tiny gift boxes. Dust them with glitter, roll them up in ribbons, embellish them with rhinestones, or wrap them in gift wrap. These Christmas ornaments cost nothing and they can keep kids busy for hours.
