Christmas Decorations on a Budget

Even if you think you don’t have much money don’t let it stop you from decorating your house forChristmas. These Christmas decorations on a budget will inspire you to create a cozy home you’lllove!

I love sharing my Christmas decorating ideas with you, my readers, but most of the time I’m late to the game and don’t get the photos posted before late December.

Not this year, friend! November 1st found me pulling down the tubs of decorations and beginning the process of sorting through my holiday decorations.

I may not be like other home blogs you follow. I don’t pick a new theme or color or specific item to decorate around each year.

Instead I look to see the new purchases from yard sales, thrift stores or after Christmas sales. I’m like a kid because I don’t even remember what I bought!

How do I decorate on a tight budget?

I’m a huge fan of yard sales and thrift stores for seasonal items but you have to think ahead! Summers are best for shopping yard sales but thrift stores stay open year round. (Read my best tips here).

Try to find things you can spray paint or use in an unusual way. I’m a big fan of candle sticks and white china and containers that can be used in many different ways. Also, use your own creativity to imagine your home with DIY projects that are simple and perfect for small spaces (like mine!)

I’ve been shopping yard sales for so many decades I’m pretty firm with what I’ll spend money on and how much. Also take a friend with you if you can because it’s more fun that way!

How can I decorate my home for Christmas without buying anything?

I believe shopping your home for neutral items is a great way to start. It’s easy to add a seasonal accent to a white container or add dollar store plates to your table setting. Try thinking outside the box before you head to the stores.

This joy pillow is one of my favorites because it was made with a place mat! Perfect for the non sewer like me! (Read all the instructions here.)

And if you MUST pick up a few things do it when they’re on sale or you can use a coupon. After Christmas sales are great if there is still inventory.

Gather a few vintage ornaments with some newer ones and surround with a flocked mini wreath. Simple but lovely!

What colors are best for Christmas?

Anything goes, my friend! I’ve seen beautiful pink trees and lovely flocked ones. I personally add blue to my red and plaid tree. (Read about all the ways you can add buffalo plaid to your decor here.)

New to me this year is a mailbox cover! I saw some when I was on a girls trip and didn’t even know they existed. Now I’m committed to buying one for every season! I stuck with my traditional red and black plaid this year (and you can also see my dog Carson peeping in the background.)

You can see how I’ve used both plaids, blue, gold and white on my tree. And it works for me! I usually change a little something on my tree each year but I love this color combination. The red and white berries are the perfect addition as well.

Honestly, my philosophy is always use what you love and love what you use! Feel free to get creative!

What decorations can stay up after Christmas?

If you’ve used neutral colors in your Christmas decorations those are perfect for the first of the year and winter season. I like to take my blue accents and use them in a different way. For me, the first of the year feels best with neutral decor and some blue added in.

This little bench is part of my drop zone/hall tree I put together. So easy just to keep the lantern and add a neutral pillow or two.

Cozy Christmas Cottage Tour

Sunroom

I used the same DIY Buffalo Plaid Christmas Hoop Wreath on my front door as I did last year because I still love it!

When you walk into my home the first room you see is what I call the sunroom. It used to be a porch and now is a combination drop zone, cozy seating and misc. storage.

My Christmas tree is the star of this space. Last year I was so unsettled from the separation/divorce I didn’t want any personal family momentos on my tree. (Read the ways I coped with making decisions on decorating during this time.)

This year I took the time to look at all our family ornaments and make a decision about most of them. Some I gave to one daughter, some I threw away and others I put back in the Christmas tub to decide next year.

I’m not very good using wrapping paper but I do use this as a way to connect my color scheme with the Christmas gifts.

This little nook is my happy place in the evening before I go to bed. Just a little time to breathe and give thanks to God for all my many blessings.

Living Room

The main living area of my small cottage has just enough of all the things without appearing too cluttered. This is a multipurpose room for sure. My grandkids play and eat at the chest in front of the love seat and I spend most of my free time in that recliner!

The two round signs were 90% off at Walmart last year and are perfect on my wooden shutters. I also changed out the scrapbook paper in the frames to something more seasonal in the right color scheme.

Changing out the throw pillows is a simple way to celebrate the holiday season.

Another view showing my lovely vintage card catalogue makeover. Just my favorite project ever! And add a free screensaver for your TV with lighted garland underneath and the mood is perfect for entertaining!

Even though my grandkids need a solid surface for coloring and eating, I still like to make a pretty vignette on my chest. I use the chest as a coffee table with a dual purpose: for my grandkids and to store all my pretty throws for different seasons.

I painted the tray with the same black as the card catalogue to help connect it with the room.

My painted china hutch is one of the main areas I add seasonal touches. I kept the fall garland because I love it so much and just added some Christmas touches. I don’t take out all the everyday china and accessories but simply add my Christmas dishes and bowls to the everyday dollar store ones.

Dining Room

My small table is the perfect place to add a touch of Christmas prettiness! And yes, I keep it decorated at all times even if I don’t usually sit there! Because I have small home I take advantage of every little space to decorate.

The inspiration for this year’s centerpiece came from the lovely gold candlesticks and lantern. Add some greenery, pine cones and Christmas ornaments.

I love adding pretty mats and chargers to my Christmas table setting and the 90% off buffalo plaid tablecloth I bought.

On the back of the chairs are these two candle rings that are perfect to add a pop of color to this budget-friendly small area.

Opposite the dining table is a little nook where I used shelves and my vintage sewing machine as extra storage. I decorate around all the cookbooks and necessities and no longer take everything down for Christmas.

Yes, the past me would want every single inch of my home with (mostly) cheap Christmas decorations. No more! I want my home to serve me and not the other way around. Again, I decorate AROUND my normal everyday home decor.

I spray painted the church on the left silver to match the one on the right. Spray paint is a simple solution for unifying your home decor.

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!