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You do not need a big budget to make a home feel like Christmas. A few well-chosen pieces, placed where they are seen, do more than a box of random decorations. With about $50 you can decorate a living room, a table and a door.
The trick is to spend on the things that change the mood, which are light and greenery, and to make or borrow the rest. Here are twelve ideas, with a plan for how to split the money.
How to split $50
- About $15 on light. Warm white string lights are the cheapest way to make a room feel festive.
- About $15 on greenery. A garland or a wreath gives you the Christmas look right away.
- About $10 on ornaments. A pack of matching ornaments looks better than a mix.
- The rest on small extras. Ribbon, candles or a doormat.
Buy in the order of this list and stop when the money is gone.
01Warm white string lights
One or two strings in warm white are the best value in Christmas decor. See our Christmas string lights ideas for how to hang them.
02A garland for the shelf or the door
A 9 ft artificial pine garland covers a shelf, a door frame or a mantel. Fluff it, then add lights.
03A single wreath
One wreath on the front door or above the sofa is enough. A plain evergreen wreath goes with every style.
04A small tabletop tree
A 2 to 3 ft tree on a side table is cheaper than a full tree and fits any room. See our Christmas tree ideas for a small living room.
05Matching ornaments in one color
Shatterproof ornaments in one color, such as red, gold or white, make a cheap tree look planned.
06Paper snowflakes and stars
Paper decorations cost almost nothing. Cut snowflakes from white paper, and hang them in a window with a thread.
07Free greenery from outside
Pine and cedar cuttings, pine cones and holly in a vase or a jar cost nothing, but check that it is allowed where you cut them. Wash and dry pine cones before bringing them in.
08A bowl of oranges and cloves
An orange with cloves pressed in a pattern smells like Christmas and looks good in a bowl. It costs a few dollars.
09Ribbon on everything
A roll of red or plaid ribbon turns a jar, a candle or a plain chair into a decoration. Wired edge ribbon holds a bow.
10Candles in jars
A few candles in glass jars add warmth. Flameless candles are safe near greenery and last for the whole season.
11A festive table with what you own
Set the table with white plates, a runner and a few ornaments in a bowl. Our Christmas table decor ideas shows how.
12Wrap gifts in simple paper
Brown kraft paper and a string cost less than printed paper and look more modern. See our Christmas gift wrapping ideas.
A plan by time
- Ten minutes: string lights and a garland on one shelf.
- An hour: a wreath, a table setting and a bowl of oranges.
- A weekend: paper snowflakes, a tabletop tree and ribbon.
Where not to save
Spend a little more on the things that are used every day or that can be a safety problem. Buy lights with a safety mark, a sturdy tree stand and a heavy base for any pot. Cheap lights that overheat and a wobbly stand are the two places where the lowest price costs more later. Everything else, such as ornaments, ribbon and paper, is a good place to save.
Before you pay
- Set the limit first and add up the cart before you pay.
- Buy neutral colors you can reuse next year.
- Keep the box dry and flat, so the decor lasts a few seasons.
- For more small-space ideas, see our small apartment Christmas decorating ideas.
