Inexpensive Christmas Decor: Zero-Dollar Ideas and Budget-Friendly Tips

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These are my top tips for inexpensive Christmas decor this year – some of which cost practically nothing! Learn how to decorate on a tiny budget this Christmas.

Christmas decorating is fun, but can also be quite expensive. If you want to enjoy the fun, but don’t want to break the bank, I’ve got some tips for you.

BONUS: Here are even more budget-friendly Christmas decorating ideas:

• STOP wasting money on tree skirts and expensive garland. Make your own from burlap.
• Do you love dollar store decorations as much as I do? Then you’ll love these 16 Gorgeous Dollar Store Christmas Wreaths.
• And if you’re looking for a deal on quick Christmas decor, be sure to check out these 17 Insanely Affordable Christmas Pillow Covers.

6 Tips for Inexpensive Christmas Decor

Each of these SIX tips is centered around using a certain material – something you can usually find in your home or garden already, or that you can purchase inexpensively at the dollar store.

1. Chalkboards
2. Natural Elements + Greenery
3. Burlap
4. Paper
5. The Dollar Store
6. Drop Cloth Fabric

Keep reading for inspiration and tips for using these elements in you home this winter.

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1 – Chalkboards

Anyone how has been on Pinterest in the last few years probably has at least one chalkboard in their home!  Does anyone else out there feel like chalk paint has been added to everything under the sun?  I’m still totally OK with that, for the record!

I am by no means a chalk lettering or chalk art expert.  But, I did manage to add this little “Merry + Bright” wreath to the chalkboard in out kitchen.  PS – I DIYed this large chalkboard for under $20… no power tools required!

2 – Natural Elements + Greenery

Now is the time to shop your yard or local garden center.  I recently picked up some greenery, and went all out.

I made these simple DIY boxwood wreaths… using a wire hanger as a wreath form:

Simple evergreen sprigs covered my sideboard and mantel.

Sources: globe  /  marble pedestal  //  galvanized pot

This little birch stump served as the perfect stand for my favorite Ikea faux houseplant.

Sources: NOEL  /  birch wood  /  galvanized pot  /  faux greenery

3 – Burlap

I bought a bolt of burlap nearly 3 years ago, and It’s still going strong.  I recently used burlap to make a tree skirt and garland for my Dollar store tree.  See all of the details here.

Sources: burlap

4 – Paper

Craft paper can be used creatively in home decor, too!  I covered my kitchen gallery wall in plain brown craft paper and gift wrap for a fun Christmas gift wrap gallery wall.

Sources: plaid gift wrap paper

5 – Shop the Dollar Store

For my simple centerpiece, I shopped the dollar store and combined tips 2, 3, and 4 together!  Say, what?!?  I took some leftover boxwood (after I made three little wreaths) and popped them into little dollar store vases wrapped in burlap and wrapping paper.  Oh, any you may recognize those little vases from my Thanksgiving tablescape this year!

And have you seen my Christmas tree this year? I decorated it all for under $20!  See all of my Dollar Store Christmas Decorating Tips here.

6 – Drop Cloth Fabric

Drop cloths are one of my favorite inexpensive materials to work with. It bleaches well, is easy to work with, and can be way less expensive than a trip to the fabric store. Use drop cloths to make seasonal curtains or DIY Christmas pillows and save a TON of money!

(Yes – those pillows were made from drop cloths!!!)

Pro tip: buy 100% cotton drop cloths, and you will have much better results when you bleach them.

 

Here are even more inexpensive Christmas decor ideas:

• STOP wasting money on tree skirts and expensive garland. Make your own from burlap.
• Do you love dollar store decorations as much as I do? Then you’ll love these 16 Gorgeous Dollar Store Christmas Wreaths.
• And if you’re looking for a deal on quick Christmas decor, be sure to check out these 17 Insanely Affordable Christmas Pillow Covers.