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70 FREE OR CHEAP CHRISTMAS DECORATION IDEAS

70 free or cheap Christmas decoration ideas to make it easy to deck the halls! From Christmas wreaths to place settings and centerpieces, find affordable inspiration for every style and skill level.

Collage of cheap Christmas decorations including candles, fresh clippings, and repurposed boxes.

If your holiday decor wish list is bigger than your budget, you’re not alone.

The good news? It is possible to deck the halls without spending a small fortune. In fact, I’ve rounded up 70 free or cheap Christmas decorating ideas to provide a festive refresh to your existing decor. Creativity saves the day!

From simple centerpieces to DIY repurposed materials, I’ve included inspiration for most styles, budgets, and crafting skill level (including none). Ideas are grouped by category for easy browsing.

CHEAP CHRISTMAS DECOR IDEAS

Browse these tried-and-true Christmas decorating ideas for some thrifty inspiration. Get creative by finding ways to stretch your decor year-round to get the most value for your money.

Bonus: No need to be super crafty to execute most of these Christmas decorations on a budget!

1. CHEAP SCENTED CANDLES

A house that smells like Christmas is instantly inviting. Pick up cheap candles from the dollar store and add your favorite fragrance oil to the melted wax or reuse containers. Festive and cheap Christmas decorations!

Classic holiday scents include: Gingerbread (my favorite!), Christmas Wreath, French Vanilla, Wintermint, and Hot Chocolate.

Candle centerpiece made from recycled wine bottles for cheap Christmas decoration.

2. REPURPOSE 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.

Train set under a tree with a small Christmas village on top of a white sheet.

3. USE SHEETS AS A TREE SKIRT

Why splurge on an opulent tree skirt when it’s covered by gifts? Spare white sheets, tablecloths, or faux fur blankets make an excellent and economical alternative.

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

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.

Christmas themed nesting boxes filled with chocolate chip cookies.

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. DECORATE WITH 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.

Chalkboard Distress Merry and Bright Christmas Sign using recycled pallet wood.

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.

Nutcracker and candle sticks coffee table centerpiece idea with greenery.

9. DOLLAR STORE DECOR

These dollar store nutcrackers were my favorite find last season. I paid less than ten dollars for the pair. Budget friendly finds like this allow me to refresh my Christmas decor without breaking the bank. No DIY required!

10. CLIP NATURAL ELEMENTS FROM YOUR YARD

Go foraging in the great outdoors for fresh clippings and branches 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 your clipping into Christmas ribbon for an instantly elegant DIY napkin ring.
Tie clippings with twine to plain pillar candles.

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.

Christmas party seating arrangement idea with sparkly personalized ornament atop dinnerware.

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.

13. INEXPENSIVE WREATH IDEAS

Seasonal wreaths often sport a hefty pricetag but you can make one in about 45 minutes! Adorn cabinets, doors, barstool backs, or windows with your creation.

Metallic Wreath from Magnolia Leaves
Drop Cloth Wreath
Cookie Cutter Wreath with Ribbon
Plastic Ornament Ball Wreath
Straw-burst candy-cane inspired Wreath
Styrofoam Snowball Wreath
Painted Pinecone Wreath

Personalized DIY small gift boxes with red ribbon and and metal name tag hanging on Christmas tree.

14. HANDMADE ORNAMENTS

Unpacking homemade ornaments is my favorite part of dusting off the Christmas decorations each year. I take a little stroll down memory lane as we unwrap each ornament.

Handmade ornaments are more than just DIY Christmas decorations; they are miniature time capsules. 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.
Make salt dough ornaments.
DIY advent calendar
Seasonal clippings + a cinnamon stick + hot glue = Christmas Tree Ornament

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.

16. DIY PAPER DECORATIONS

Harness your inner Buddy the Elf and create an indoor winter wonderland with paper snowflakes. These classic gems are versatile on windows, walls or nestled into other decor.

Make 3D stars with this template – use as a garland, ornaments, or a tree topper
Paper Snowflake chains for garland
Paper snowflake ornaments or window dressings
Giant paper cones for modern trees
A mini-forest of origami Christmas Trees

17. FRONT PORCH WELCOME SIGN

Greet holiday guests with a preview of the magic that awaits behind closed doors. Front porch signs are a welcome indoors and outside! Welcome Santa with a DIY sign made from a reclaimed board and a bit of outdoor paint.

18. WRAPPING PAPER

Recycle leftover wrapping paper or highlight your favorite pattern with these creative DIY ideas:

Make gift tags with scraps.
Line serving trays with wrapping paper for a custom effect.
Make a thrifty table runner with your favorite roll of wrapping paper.
DIY your Christmas bows with leftover paper instead of purchasing pricier options.

Christmas card display on a wall in the shape of a Christmas tree.

19. DIY HOLIDAY CARD TREE

Turn Christmas cards into free Christmas decorations! Create a unique display to highlight season’s greetings with a few easy to find household items. This clean-line DIY display is lovely for a large foyer or hall.

20. DOLLAR STORE COOKIE CUTTERS

There’s lots of fun ways to incorporate cookie cutters into budget savvy seasonal decor, no baking required!

Make your own tea light candles
DIY Cookie Cutter Wreath
Display in glass vessels
Make gingerbread ornaments.
Use as ornaments on a small tree or a kitchen tree

Hot chocolate bar set up using a tiered tray decorated in red and white.

21. SET UP A HOT COCOA OR COFFEE BAR

Who doesn’t love a cup of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows on a cold winter’s day? Not only is a coffee bar easy to throw together on a budget, but it’s practical!

Use a tiered tray (we have lots of ideas here), a bar cart, or a serving tray to create the perfect morning nook or post-dessert gathering area.

Woman poking orange with clove to make a pomander ball.

22. POMANDER BALLS

Pomander balls are a kid-friendly Christmas craft. Place them in a pretty bowl for an aromatic and thrifty centerpiece display.

23. USED BOOKS

I have an admitted soft spot for Christmas books. Incorporate your favorite holiday classics into your seasonal decor. What a novel idea!

Stack color coordinated books into a snowman or Christmas tree.
Display Christmas classics on the mantel or coffee table.
Shred discarded pages for as filler in clear plastic ornaments.
Make a book advent calendar.
Cut books into accordion Christmas trees.

24. LAST YEAR’S WINTER WARDROBE

Have the kids outgrown their old sweaters? Use them to add a touch of unique nostalgia to holiday decor.

Is someone always missing a mitten? Create a colorful mitten garland with the lone survivors.
Wrap a scarf around a wreath form for an easy touch of warm elegance.
Repurpose old sweaters into seat cushion or pillow covers.
Sweater vase cozies – Cut the sleeves off of worn sweaters and put a vase down in them!

Neutral Christmas decor - coffee table styling with paperwhites

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: