70 Free or Cheap Christmas Decorating Ideas

2. Repurposed Bottles

Repurpose ordinary glass bottles for touches of holiday whimsy. This Wine Bottle Centerpiece Tutorial is a perfect example of how a few simple accessories can instantly transform “trash” into treasure.

Wine Bottle Holiday Decor Ideas:

• Use as candle holders
• Paint your favorite Christmas character like Santa, Rudolph, or a troupe of winter carolers.
• Cover bottles with twine or burlap for a rustic vibe.
• Print custom holiday labels or tags for gifting or bar decor.
• Use an etching kit to add quotes or designs.
• Thread small lights inside them.
• Use as vases for flowers and greenery.

4. Pillows & Throws

My primary goal for every season is to create a cozy ambiance. And nothing says cozy quite like a cuddly blanket and throw pillows.

When selecting throw pillows, stick to the golden rule of less is more. Mix one seasonal pillow with a few perennial favorites. Purchase, or sew, pillow covers to use with existing pillows. This eliminates storing bulky items that only get used two months each year.

Tip: Purchase throw pillows in consistent sizes to make swapping out pillow covers simple. Save storage space and money!

5. Candy Displays & Food Finds

Candy canes are the quintessential budget-friendly Christmas decor item. Hang them from garland, wreaths or tree branches. Bunches tied with ribbon make festive table settings.

Any type of Christmas candy can double as decor when displayed. My seasonal favorites include M&Ms, peppermints, and Hershey’s kisses.

6. Repurpose Shipping Boxes

Skip the expensive decorative boxes, because free boxes arrive through my front door at rapid-fire rate this time of year. But you can do more with them too!

Repurpose shipping boxes for gift wrapping! Stack them up with ribbon for decor or fill with baked goodies for friends & neighbors. Don’t forget to thank your postal worker!

7. Repurpose Wrapped Gifts

There’s no rule stating wrapped gifts must be placed under the tree. Personally, I enjoy tucking gifts in unexpected places to add touches of merriment and cute tags around the room.

Light on wrapped gifts this year? Wrap empty shipping boxes (see #6) to stage them as decor.

8. Scrap Wood Decorations

Reclaimed wood crafts add rustic charm to your holiday decor. From clothespin snowman ornaments to wood pallet Christmas trees, these projects are perfect penny savers. More scrap wood ideas to choose from:

• Make a wood pallet sign like our Christmas Sign.
• Craft antique-style Christmas ornaments from broken furniture.
• Repurposed shutters into a cottage-style Christmas card display.
• Drill small holes into logs for tea lights.
• Make an advent calendar out of wood slices.

10. Clip Natural Elements for Free

Go foraging to make natural Christmas decorations that don’t cost a dime. Pine trees, boxwoods, magnolia, and winter holly are common backyard finds.

Decorating ideas with yard clippings:

• Put clippings in a vase for a simple yet chic arrangement.
• Fluff worn-out garland or add depth to artificial trees with clippings from the yard.
• Tuck boxwoods or pine clippings into Christmas ribbon for an instantly elegant DIY napkin ring.
• Tie clippings with twine to plain pillar candles.
• Use pinecones as ornaments, place them in bowls, or make candle accents.
• Use bare twigs to create DIY twig-tree accents.
• Collect small branches and spray-paint (white or metallic) for a modern woodland feel in a vase.

Tip: Check any foraged foliage for bugs before bringing indoors. Spritz your clippings daily with water for extra longevity.

11. String Lights or Fairy Lights

Twinkling Christmas lights are the best backdrop for everything.

• Gather branches and string with lights for a “Charlie Brown” tree.
• Use lights inside of jars or wine bottles for an easy centerpiece.
• String the chandelier or lanterns for unexpected whimsy.
• Use lights + clusters of greenery to make inexpensive centerpiece garlands.
• Use battery-operated tea lights inside pinecone arrangements.

12. Cheap Ornament Balls

If there’s a Swiss Army knife of Christmas decor, it has to be ball ornaments. Purchase some inexpensive ones from a dollar store and let your imagination run wild!

• Make ornament topiaries.
• Tuck into greenery on the mantle and around the house.
• Collect some in apothecary jars or decorative bowls for low-cost decor.
• String from curtain rods with clear fishing line.
• Tuck them into lanterns. I use these lanterns year-round.
• Tie to a nametag with a piece of pretty ribbon to create a DIY placeholder.

14. Handmade Ornaments

Handmade ornaments are more than just DIY Christmas decorations; they are miniature time capsules. I take a little stroll down memory lane as we unwrap previous years. Try a few this season:

• Paint the tips of pinecones. Add glitter and hot glue a ribbon to the tops.
• Draw designs on wood slices for the perfect kid’s craft project.
• Cut paper snowflakes or stars to hang on windows or branches.
• Here are some fun DIY advent calendar Christmas tree ideas.
• Seasonal clippings + a cinnamon stick + hot glue = Christmas Tree Ornament
• Make salt-dough ornaments using flour, salt, and water. I did something similar with my scented gingerbread ornaments.
• Air Dry Clay makes wonderful DIY ornaments.
• Create popcorn + cranberry garlands as edible, classic decor.
• Make paper chains or paper-cone trees from leftover wrapping paper.
• Use cheap cookie cutters to create simple hanging shapes.

15. Grab some Firewood

A setup of fire logs exudes cabin cozy, even if you don’t have a wood burning fireplace. Place a small stack near the entryway or living room. Baskets of fragrant logs create a warm winter vibe.

Tip: Check that firewood is completely dry and doesn’t show any signs of pests.

25. Grow a Houseplant

Seasonal classics like holly bushes and mistletoe receive the lion’s share of acclaim during Christmas. But don’t overlook other favorites that thrive in cold climates and make great cheap Christmas decorations on a budget. Bonus: Winter-blooming plants make great gifts!

Hardy Winter Houseplants:

• Amarylis
• Poinsettia
• Christmas Roses
• Paperwhites
• Rosemary
• Christmas Cactus

Tip: Buy & plants bulbs early for affordable decor that lasts all winter long.