Decorating your home over the holidays can help make it feel more warm and festive. Many people think that to create n impressive magazine-worthy scene, you need lots of money and expensive decorations, but that simply isn’t true. In reality, you probably have most of the essentials in your home already, allowing you to flex your decorating muscles without spending any money. Read our top hacks below.
1. Paper decorations
There are plenty of paper snowflake and tree templates online for you to make stunning paper decorations. Using multiple pieces of paper, you can create your own 3D winter wonderland at home. Google instructions for a six-pointed snowflake on Youtube if you’re really looking to impress with winter decor that doesn’t cost anything.
2. Dollar store decor
While it is technically spending money, for just a buck or two, you can get your hands on some cheap ornaments, garlands, or faux pine cones to fill bowls and sit on mantles. A couple of purchases from the dollar store can seriously transform your home, so check out that holiday aisle at your local store.
3. Use dried fruit
Dried fruit can be used to make a pretty garland hung in doorways or anywhere else that you’d like. This versatile decorative string can be done with dried grapes, cranberries, or orange slices…don’t be afraid to get colorful with things. Do it in a dehydrator or oven and string it with a thread and needle.
4. Make popcorn garlands
Just like dried fruit, popcorn can be strung with a needle and thread for a fast, lazy decoration. It looks great wrapped around a Christmas tree. Don’t be afraid to use cheddar popcorn, kettle corn or other flavor varieties to get some color in your garlands. Another bonus about this hanging decor is that it’s edible!
5. Use fabric scraps
Fabric scraps can be tied onto bows and used on a tree. Don’t have any scraps? Check out your wardrobe for old clothes you don;’t wear anymore or damaged garments. Cut the fabrics into strips and look up sewing patterns for Christmas ornaments. You can also knot together silk scarves and hang them on a mantle.
6. Check your backyard for natural decor
Items like leaves, acorns, branches and dried flowers can all be used to create beautiful Christmas decor. Throw in some glitter or craft paint to decorate further, and either tuck them into your tree or make a tabletop display out of these items.
7. Handmade Christmas stars
Stars are a classic piece of Christmas decor, and you can make your own by arranging wooden sticks of different lengths into a star shape, connecting ends by wrapping them with florist’s wire. Fake berries, beads and other ornaments can be added on a side, and it can also be dressed up with a sprig of mistletoe or eucalyptus. Hang these stars near a staircase or window.
8. Fairy lights
String lights or fairy lights are an instant way to add a warm and cozy holiday vibe to any room in your home or to a door jam. No matter how you style these, they’re an effortless Christmas-chic form of decor that you probably already have at home;
9. Christmas lollipops out of paper plates
To create this easy front yard design, use paper plates glued together and draw red and green polka dots in marker or paint. Cover with cellophane and stake it into the ground with a stick, tying it off with a ribbon to really maximize that Christmas look. Instead of a giant plate, you can also use a cellophane-wrapped yoga ball for an added 3D aspect.
