Save a few dollars, and perhaps a few hours of pondering over this years Christmas decorating theme, with our top ideas for affordable Christmas decorating. Then, make like an elf on Santa’s production line and get cracking because the countdown is on!
Christmas is that time of the year which always seems to creep up. One moment, there is plenty of spare time to take preparations slow. The next minute, it is only a few weeks away and we are here wondering whatever happened to the start of the year! But regardless of how quickly it appears to come and go, I never let Christmas get on top of my budget.
I am certainly no Bah Humbug. I’ve simply learnt over the years some clever ways to stretch my dollar when it comes to the festive season. One of the best ways to do this is to make your own affordable Christmas decorating.
I love everything about making my home sparkle with magic at Christmas. In fact, our team at The Christmas Cart are all pretty savvy when it comes to cost-saving tricks for affordable Christmas decorating. So, I gathered up the crew’s ideas and put together our top hacks for crafting affordable Christmas decorating.
The Christmas Cart’s affordable Christmas decorating ideas
With time still on our hands, take advantage of these clever budget-savvy tips for creating affordable Christmas decorating of your own this year.
#1 Make use of nature’s gifts
One of the best ways to craft affordable Christmas decorating is to make use of bits and pieces that Mother Nature has left around your home. Gum nuts, greenery, seedpods and dried leaves can all be handy pieces to craft up some affordable Christmas decorating and decor. Here are some ideas to help spark your imagination.
Pine cones, dried leaves, and an assortment of greenery and florals can all make interesting affordable Christmas decor. Hang pieces on Christmas tree, create a table centrepiece, or make some rustic garlands from a combination of natures beauties. Just introduce a few Christmas picks and sprays or Christmas flowers to make these pieces perfectly festive.
* Tip: Make your affordable Christmas decorating sparkle and shine with some gorgeously simple Glitter and Snow-Tipped Pine Cones.
At a very minimal cost, you can even create your own affordable Christmas tree like the ones in the images below. Once you gather your pieces from around the garden, all you need to finish the job is a pot, a string of fairy lights and some Christmas baubles. Opt for extra sparkle with ornate baubles, or keep to the natural theme and Create Perfect Décor Pieces with Craft Baubles by filling them with pieces from the garden too. How amazing is this affordable Christmas decorating idea!
#2 Printed affordable Christmas decorating ideas
Another affordable Christmas decorating idea is to grab some free, yes you read right – FREE, Christmas printables! These little guys are a Christmas arsenal not to be messed with as they can pack some punch when it comes to Christmas decorating. And to save some money, print them at home – the only cost to you is the ink and paper they are printed on. To spruce them up, try a few of these ideas.
Put your Christmas printables in a frame and choose a wall (or many) to hang them on. Or, get crafty by using your Christmas print in a unique way by revamping a chopping board or pallet, for example. You can also make a dedicated Christmas gallery wall by displaying some decorations in frames surrounding your Christmas prints. To make them an affordable Christmas decorating idea in their entirety, re-use frames that you already have. Alternatively, check out some cheap frames from places like Kmart and The Reject Shop.
Check out our article Wonderful Ways with Christmas Printables, for more Christmas printable ideas and inspiration.
* Tip: save time by shopping online at The Christmas Cart for our affordable Christmas decorating wall hangings, posters and signs.
#3 Recycle your junk
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right? Well, when it comes to affordable Christmas decorating ideas, that trash can be your own treasure. Take a look around your home to see what little treasures you can use to transform into some DIY Christmas décor pieces. Empty tins, candle jars, boxes and old canvases are great for this.
Below is an affordable Christmas decorating idea that we think most people will be able to get their hands on – a Christmas wreath!
Firstly, choose a Christmas wreath base to work with. You probably even have an extra one lying around at home that you barely use. And don’t worry if it is outdated, poor quality, or slightly damaged, you can rescue any old wreath! To make your recycled Christmas wreath, start by revamping any Christmas decorations that may need a little TLC, like baubles, pine cones or greenery. We often have ribbon off-cuts, old Christmas signs, and free printables laying around at home, which you could definitely put to good use in this project! Depending on the permanence of your decor, attach them to your wreath base either with wire or hot glue. To finish it off perfectly, just add some Christmas florals or little Christmas bells with sprigs of greenery.
And how about putting those origami skills to good use by making cute paper Christmas angels for affordable Christmas decorating? You can fold them up from any paper that you have on hand, new or already used (off-cuts are especially perfect for this project).
How about upcycling an old canvas that you have stashed away in the cupboard? Just wrap it with some Christmas paper. Add some ribbon and bows to make it look like a giant Christmas box, then hang it on the wall as an interesting and affordable Christmas decorating idea. Voilà!
#4 Get into gifting
There is generally no getting around gifting at Christmas time. Christmas gifts can be an untapped decorating resource while they are sitting under the tree waiting to be presented on Christmas Day. So, when you go to the effort of wrapping them, just incorporate your gifts as savvy, affordable Christmas decorating ideas too.
Wrap your gifts in paper that will coincide with your Christmas decorating theme. Add some Christmas pieces to the outside, like giant bows and ribbons or Christmas tree decorations. You can even use greenery and Christmas sprays, or place some adorable festive friends on top, to add some character.
* Tip: check out our inspiration gallery for some great Christmas Decorating Theme ideas.
Christmas decorating does not need to break the budget. Getting creative and making the most of what you have on hand already will help to save a few dollars and get you well on the way for a much-needed affordable Christmas this year.
For plenty of Christmas inspiration, pop into our online shop at The Christmas Cart. We have a full swag of Christmas gifts, décor and Christmas bits and bobs to craft your own affordable Christmas decorating. For more wonderful decorating and Christmas craft ideas, make our blog your go-to.