Decorating for Christmas on a Budget

December is well underway and I wanted to take the time to share how we decorate our home for Christmas! It’s probably not anything unique, but it is pretty, quick to put up, and on a budget. Which, at this time of year, we could all probably use a little bit more of!

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The Christmas Tree

The first and main Christmas decoration is of course, the tree! Buying a Christmas tree can be a bit overwhelming. So many options and so much $$$! However, if you plan, you can save some serious dough on a tree. First, if you know you will be needing a tree next year, check the after Christmas sales and your local stores. Trees are always heavily discounted right after Christmas Day. Also check garage sales throughout the year and swap sites. Closer to Christmas you can also check your local thrift store. Ours goes through trees like crazy right around Thanksgiving!

Decorating the tree doesn’t have to cost a whole lot either. Focus on things that might not be actual Christmas decorations and you can save money.

Garland

We actually use deco mesh for our tree garland. You can purchase a lot for only a little money, making sure you have enough for the tree. Our deco mesh is pure white.

Other garland ideas:

ribbon
strung popcorn
burlap
paper chains

Lights

Okay, lights are one thing that I do not skimp out on when it comes to decorating our tree. Yes, they are pricey and they might blow out, but they are what makes the tree! I use 7 strands of lights on our tree. Yes, 7!

Why so many? Instead of just wrapping them around the tree, I wrap them in and out of the branches much like a pre-lit tree. (Which our tree used to be until too many sections quit working and I cut them ALL out! It was a 3 hour process. I don’t suggest it if it can be avoided.)

Ornaments

I am not going to get into ornaments too much because the opportunities are endless! Homemade, secondhand, you name it! We don’t have many homemade yet, but I am sure that is to change as the kids get a bit older. Currently we have mostly gold ornaments and I think they will be great to match with all the stuff the kids come up with in the future. Also, don’t get stuck into the mindset that ornaments have to be something you hang! We decorate our tree with poinsettia flowers and bows as well.

Search Pinterest for homemade ornament ideas!

Tree Topper

My tree topper is an angel from Dollar General. I especially wanted an angel because my mom always had one. I didn’t think I could make one myself, so I purchased one. If you are want a star, a homemade option would definitely be possible!

Tree Skirt

No tree looks finished without a tree skirt! I used to have a velvet burgandy one with sequins on it. But, the cats covered it with hair and it was never arranged properly. So, I gave up, but the tree looked incomplete.

This year, I had a new idea and it’s working! Here is my Christmas tree “root ball.” I call it that because it reminds me of the trees you buy to plant that are all wrapped up in burlap on the bottom.

To make this root ball, I took a large piece of fabric (I want to say it was around a yard) and I laid it flat, upside-down. Then I put the tree on top of the fabric. I stuffed some loosely crumpled newspaper around the tree stand and I wrapped the fabric up around it and tied it with a piece of red yarn. I LOVE it, and now the cat’s can’t mess it up! My tree is finally complete!

I did not hem the raw edges of the fabric, so if I have to wash it, I will need to so to keep it from fraying.

Nativity

Our home must have a nativity as that is the reason we celebrate Christmas! This nativity is from a garage sale that I allow the kids to play with. I have a nice hand painted set that I need to find a location for so it won’t get broken!

Door Wreath

Door wreaths can be beautiful … and expensive! This one was pretty much free! The wreath itself was secondhand but there was NOTHING on it. So, I used bread ties and wired on the balls, hot glued on the pinecones, and used YouTube to figure out how to tie a big poofy ribbon. The ribbon came off a wedding present I believe and the ornaments were off a garage sale. Steal!

Other Decor

Here are some photos of the other decor I have around my house. None of it is super elaborate, but it is cozy, pretty, and spruces up the place around Christmas time. The biggest way to save money is to add as you go year after year. Don’t plan on decorating every inch of the house right off the bat! That gets pricey and doesn’t give you the time to collect items throughout the year. Focus on one area at a time and before you know it, you’ll have more Christmas decor than you know what to do with!

I love our door snowman! So cute and so easy! Black and orange construction paper adhered with masking tape. The scarf is wrapping paper!

I have window clings on a few of our windows. I think they just make the house more festive! They only cost $1 a sheet at our local Variety Store and I use them year after year. To get them to stick the second year I just wipe them down with warm water.

We really don’t have a good place to our stockings in this house, and I only have one stocking holder. I’ve never gone out and purchased another one. But, hanging the stockings in front of the cabinets keeps the toddlers from getting into the movies! (And of course we have been watching The Grinch like every day! Mia’s choice.)

Our Shepherd on the Search is a roaming Christmas decoration that is much like the Elf on the Shelf, but he focuses on finding Jesus. Read more about him in my Advent Traditions post, or buy your own shepherd here!

What’s your favorite Christmas decoration? Is it purchased or homemade? Leave me a comment below!

Decorating for Christmas on a Budget