Despite all the finery, I don't think you need to deck your entire house with holiday decor. Some years, funds are tight and you might be wondering how to decorate for Christmas on a budget. Or, you're not big on Christmas, you're running out of time, and just want to decorate quick and on the cheap. Or maybe you're moving out of or just moved into a new home (that was us in December 2016!) and have little to spend.

Whatever your reason, your small Christmas budget shouldn't prevent you from creating your own holiday haven.

7 Tips For Christmas Decorating On A Budget

The truth is you don't need to spend a lot of time or money to get that Christmas feeling in your home. With a few quick frugal finds, DIY tricks, and simple decorations, you can create a home that is merry and bright. Here's my best tips for Christmas decorating on a budget

1. Put up a Christmas Tree

If there's one decoration that can instantly make your home feel festive, it's the Christmas tree. The good thing is there are no rules when it comes to decorating a Christmas tree. You can use handmade ornaments, crafts your kids brought home for school, or even stick with a bare tree. Christmas trees can look beautiful even with just simple white lights.


If you're shopping for a new tree, you can save a little by buying last year's models of trees which retailers typically have on clearance. You can also shop for a real tree closer to Christmas when prices drop, or opt for a smaller tree. A tiny faux tree by the kitchen sink or on the bedside table is often enough to make things feel Christmassy.

2. Decorate with Printables

Changing out your art is one very easy and inexpensive way to update your home for the season. You can often find printable art for a minimal cost or for free. Print the art on your home printer, pop it in a frame you already have, and you can conjure a holiday feeling instantly.


I've decorated this spot with a printable from my Christmas Fun Bundle. The cheery print and coordinating throw create a warm welcome for my guests. Pick an art print in your colour scheme and your decor will look more pulled together and cohesive.

3. Bring out seasonal cushions and throws

The holidays are a time to bring out all of your soft and cozy accessories. From plaid blankets, faux fur throws, to flannel bedsheets and that vintage quilt you picked up for a song, your soft accents bring a feeling of comfort and coziness. And you don't need to worry about coordinating all of your items. Now's the time to mix your patterns and pile on the pillows. If you don't have seasonal throws, use big scarves. Draped over a chair, no one will know the difference!




You can also buy cushion covers like this one with a seasonal motif very inexpensively. Pair it with a solid coloured pillow for a modern holiday scheme. Have great sewing skills? Why not make your own pillows covers from holiday tea towels or sweaters you've found at the thrift store.

4. Create a cozy mood with lighting

With these shorter winter days, lighting in our homes becomes more important. Just a few different sources of light can make your home feel festive. If you have a fireplace, enjoy it in the evenings and don't forget to have it lit when you have guests over. You can also scatter candles throughout the home. Use them in small vignettes, atop the mantel, or on your dining room table - anywhere that could use a twinkle of light.


I also like to use my Philips Hue lights to change the mood. I have two Philips Hue white and colour ambiance bulbs in the sconces above our bookshelves. In the evenings, it's nice to turn these lights on to complement the warmth of the fireplace. I'm partial to a soft orange setting which makes the whole room feel aglow.

Do you have your Christmas lights on timers? I like to have our exterior lights come on at 5pm, and indoors, I can do the same using the Philips Hue app. I've set an evening routine called "Christmas Mood" for these lights to come on at 5pm and turn off at 11pm. I always love driving by homes that have their Christmas lights on in and outside. Lights brings a certain magic and nostalgic quality to a home. Philips Hue also has an outdoor range of lights that can be set to timers and programmed to holiday colours like red and green to make sure your exterior is just as festive as your interior.

5. Wrap your gifts and use them as decor

Here's a budget-friendly tip: make your gifts do double duty and use them as part of your decorating scheme. You can wrap your gifts early and place them under tree. This is a great way to add festive colour and pattern to your home.

But you don't have to keep them just under the tree. I've been known to wrap empty boxes and display them on my bookshelves - it's an easy way to fill up a big space! This year, I have some of my gifts stored in decorative metal pails. It creates a cute vignette in front of the fireplace and it keeps some of the gifts hidden and away from prying eyes ;)

6. Decorate with Nature

Greenery is always nice to have during the Christmas season. You can buy real garlands, or faux garlands to use year after year, but if you're looking for simple natural accents with impact, head outdoors. Your garden might be the best source for pretty and inexpensive decorations. Branches clipped from the tree look great when displayed en masse in a vase. Natural elements from your yard like twigs, pinecones, or birch bark can add an organic, rustic feel.

7. Decorate Simply

One way to keep the decor budget under control is to decorate very simply and minimally. In this bedroom, we used plain wheat wreaths above the bed and in the windows. The look feels more pared back and Scandinavian yet it's still festive.



As an easy DIY, the ribbons holding the wreaths were made from scrap fabric, torn into 4" wide strips. It's worth sorting through what you already have to see what can be repurposed as decor.

Decorating for the holidays shouldn't be stressful or expensive. With a bit of ingenuity, you can have your holiday home looking festive and stick to your budget. I hope these ideas help you to decorate your home for the season! Do you have any other frugal tips? I'd love to hear them.

This conversation is brought to you in partnership with Philips Hue. All opinions and comments are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make this blog possible.


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