budget Holiday Decorating Ideas

Have you decorated the house for the holidays and trimmed the tree? Instead of spending money this season, use what you have at home already to deck the halls.  Here are some tips to have your home looking festive for less:

• Use shrubs and greens from your backyard to create holiday centerpieces
• Fresh cranberries look terrific in glass vases and bowls at Christmas time – either by themselves or with flowers and candles
• Evergreen boughs, dogwood branches, and pine cones look great this time of year in just about any arrangement
• An old-fashioned sled looks great by your front door. Pick up an old, weathered pair of ice skates at a thrift store to display with it
• Fluffy woolen mittens look great on tabletops or walls
• Make homemade Christmas decorations with the kids
• A scarf can be used as a table runner
• A hardcover holiday book (such as a children's book or a holiday cookbook) looks great on side tables and coffee tables
• Frame attractive holiday cards and use as wall decorations or on tabletops
• Make your own garlands by stringing popcorn, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, or even pasta
• If you do buy serving pieces, tablecloths or other items for entertaining, look for dual-purpose items. Pick solid colors that can be used any time of the year. Red is great because it can be used for Valentine's Day. Green works well in the spring and summer. Ice blue is a trendy new holiday color that looks great any time of year.
• If you have to buy lights this season, consider energy-efficient LED lights that will save you money in the long run
• Wait to add that cute holiday ornament to your collection.  Chances are they'll be 75% off the week after Christmas!

More Budget Holiday Decorating Ideas

Marshmallow Peeps Reindeer Wreath – They're not just candy!  Here, Marshmallow peeps double as decorations for an adorable Christmas wreath.

Dollar Store Memories Ornament – Here's an easy and fun homemade ornament to make with your kids.  Start a collection to remember each year with!

Frosty the Refrigerator – mommysavers member 2bearsmom decorated her garage fridge like a snowman… All it took was some scrap paper and tape!

A bowl, a floating candle and some small glass ornaments look great as a holiday table centerpiece.  A scarf is used as a table runner.

Purchase a large frame at a thrift store, paint with chalkboard paint, add a wreath or some ornaments and you've got inexpensive wall art.

Three grapevine wreaths, a scarf and hat make an adorable Snowman door decoration!  View more Homemade Christmas Door Decorations

Thanks to our forum members for sharing their ideas in the Frugal Homemade Christmas Decorations thread.

Forum Discussion Topics and Resources:
Frugal Homemade Christmas Decorations
How festive is your neighborhood?
Do you have Christmas trees that are other colors than green?
Do you have a theme for your Christmas tree/trees?
When do you put up your Christmas tree?