Christmas decor can be expensive to buy all at once and personally, I enjoy collecting meaningful decor throughout the years. I have compiled a list of easy and inexpensive decorations for the holidays while your meaningful collection grows through the years.
Most of these Christmas decor ideas can be found in your home or are inexpensive to purchase.
Christmas Decor Ideas to Try at Home
1 | Decorate with Books
Search your book collection for holiday themes or books with green and red spines. Display these festive books throughout your home for subtle seasonal decor.
A few year ago I was gifted the book, A Christmas Carol, and set it out in our living room every Christmas season.
Another cheap and easy way to add Christmas decor to your child’s bedroom is to display holiday books. My daughter has two bookshelves on her wall that we refresh with themed books each season or holiday.
2 | Add Natural Elements as Christmas Decor
This Christmas decor idea is free and really gets me into the holiday spirit! If you buy a real tree every year, use any tree trimmings to decorate your home. If you have a fake tree, I recommend asking a local Christmas tree seller to see if you can take any of their scraps.
I added evergreen branches to a vase I already owned and added a small red ribbon to complete the look. Above the mirror, I attached a few branches and concealed the hook with a ribbon.
Another easy way to decorate with natural elements is by clipping greenery from your own yard. Pine tree branches work great, but I also love boxwood bush clippings. If you use any natural garland, steal a few strands to add dimension to different types of greenery on display. I like to add natural greenery around candles in lanterns or glass urns.
Look for any branches that have a reddish hue, or even better, a holly bush to add some variety to the mix. Local grocery stores often sell small bundles of greenery and flowers that can be used as festive Christmas decor as well. This year I purchased a few magnolia branches and added them to the garland on our banister.
If you need some more color, try out the popular dried oranges DIY. This project is super easy and adds a perfect, natural element to your Christmas decor.
A few years ago, I made a dried orange garland and draped it over a holiday sign. You can see tree trimmings that I used in the candle urn and the book, “A Christmas Carol”, to add to the festive look.
3 | Seasonal Stuffed Animals
Some may say it’s tacky, but I say it’s fun! Decorating for the holidays shouldn’t be so serious and kids love decorating with their own toys! This is a great option for decorating bedrooms or playrooms and you don’t have to worry about your holiday decor getting broken.
If you have reindeer, Santas, or even characters from movies like Frozen, don’t be afraid to use them as decor. I decorate our family room with more kid-centric items since that is where they spend most of their time. Stuffed animals, kids’ crafts, and colorful advent calendars are all perfect for this room!
3 | Kids Holiday Crafts
There are SO many holiday craft ideas on Pinterest that are great to use as Christmas decor. My kiddos love decorating with DIY paper chains and putting their gingerbread houses on display.
4 | Decorate with Presents
Beautifully wrapped presents double as great Christmas decor for your home! I love to place wrapped presents for family members around the house. A cluster of presents (3 gifts are great) of varying sizes look great displayed together. Adding a small wrapped gift next to a Santa figurine or placing a few gifts near a fireplace adds lots of holiday cheer.
5 | Scented Candles & Diffusers
A delicious-smelling holiday candle or diffuser with peppermint oil is a simple way to create holiday cheer. Adding a sensory element like seasonal scents quickly creates nostalgic memories and the feeling of Christmas.
6 | Ambiance & Lighting
Another easy sensory element to think about when decorating for Christmas is lighting. Instead of using your overhead lighting, opt for lamp lighting, candles, and your Christmas tree. If you have a fireplace, light it up for an instant cozy vibe.
7 | Display Old Santa Visit Photos
Gather photos from past Santa visits and display them every holiday season. Ask your parents if they have any old photos of themselves and your family from Santa visits too. This Christmas decor is very nostalgic and my guests always love looking at these fun family memories.
8 | Holiday Cards
Use the holiday cards that are sent to you in December and use them as Christmas decor. I picked up this inexpensive Christmas card garland from Target and we love looking at the Christmas cards from our loved ones while we eat dinner every night. This DIY holiday decor idea is so easy and its free!
I hope this round-up of simple decorations for the holidays will help you fill your home with Christmas cheer without emptying your wallet!
