Christmas Decorations You Can (and Should) Save On

There are some holiday decorating essentials that aren’t worth skimping on—like a quality tablecloth that isn’t made from synthetic fibers so you can actually remove stains—and then there are those that aren’t worth the overspend. .

Of course, it might be worth investing in fancy tableware for a large family dinner or quality outdoor lamps that will last for more than one season . Artificial trees can be great, but you’ll have to spend a little more to get one that doesn’t look sparse and sad. But where can you save money after investing in these best jewelry? Let me tell you how I do it.

Spend less on Christmas tree decorations

As far as I’m concerned, there are really only two schools of thought when decorating a Christmas tree: Some people like uniform, unsentimental baubles in similar colors and textures that create a look straight out of an interior design magazine. Others prefer trees filled with eclectic decorations from years of life experiences and a child’s “first” Christmas.

I’m not a sentimental person (or a parent), so I don’t really choose the second option, but I respect the game of anyone who is committed to seeing it through and keeping these memory-filled ornaments in a safe place. year after year. I myself prefer color-coordinated, aesthetically pleasing jewelry, but I’ve learned the hard way that there is no good reason to buy expensive jewelry.

When I started decorating my tree a few years ago, I paid a lot of money for fancy gold ornaments. It didn’t stop them from breaking and it didn’t stop me from getting bored with them. Now every year I instead choose a new color for my decor and buy decorations in that color as cheaply as possible. A pack of 24 like this one , which costs about $15, will work just fine.

Other Wood Essentials You Can Get Cheaply

• Buy a cheap garland at the dollar store , because even a more expensive item will look bad after a few years, and even after closely examining the $129(!) garland I saw on sale, I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to buy it. choose cheap or expensive if they are combined in one row.

• A fancy tree top will only break your heart by suffering inevitable damage in storage, and no one will be able to see it so high above the ground anyway; Instead, choose two glitter stars for $6.25.

• If you want something more than colorful balls on your tree, try the 36 Snowflakes for $9.99 instead of something more Christmassy. They can be made more valuable by using them to decorate your home during January and February.

• The same goes for glitter twigs and twigs , which I’ve seen sell for $59 at high-end retailers, but are only $9.99 on Amazon . They’re easy to bend and break and aren’t even necessary for a pretty tree, so don’t ever spend $60 on them.

But don’t skimp on…

The only thing I think is worth investing in when it comes to wood is a quality tree skirt. Whether you have real wood and need it to keep needles from staining your floor, or faux wood with an unsightly base that needs covering up, a scratchy felt skirt won’t fit well and will be difficult to clean. A skirt made from higher quality fabric will have a nicer drape and will fold better in storage, and you still won’t have to spend a ton of money (especially if you figure you’ll need to wash it this year and pick it up during the after-Christmas sales).

Cheaper to decorate your home

Saving money doesn’t always mean compromising aesthetics. In general, I prefer jewelry that is easy to clean and easy to put together and take down, but plastic can look cheap and I only want to spend cheap, so I try to find a middle ground.

• Snowflake window hooks (about $5 for 138 pieces) are ideal, as they can add a festive look to windows, mirrors and tiles throughout the home, replacing the need for special decor for each room that’s sure to set you back. too much money.

• If you like the gnome trend that has popped up on Pinterest in recent years, I recommend resin figurines over fabric dolls because they are cheaper and easier to maintain.

• Target has a $5 Decor section that features a variety of homey, vintage decorations for cheap, so you can still add a little charm to the scene. Suggestions include, for example, a small wooden house with lighting , which you’ll pay a lot more for at home decor stores. This deal from Target is truly perfect if you’re craving pieces that can become a tradition for your family or add a stylish look.

• Don’t spend too much money on homemade wreaths. Outdoor ones should be durable, so spend your money on them. A 20-inch faux wreath is under $4 at Walmart. For that price, you’ll be able to throw it away when the season is over, rather than trying to figure out a way to store the giant thing without crushing it.

Time to Shopping (and Get Creative)

Also, the general consensus regarding cheap decorating is that if possible, you should start about a year in advance. That is, according to knowledgeable decorators on online forums , take advantage of post-holiday sales to score quality items at a discount for next season.

If you don’t want to wait 12 months to consign your items, I have another idea: consignment stores. If you go this route, don’t look for garlands, wreaths or anything that might fall apart. Try to expand your collection of figurines, trinkets and jewelry.

Decorate things all year round and make them look Christmassy

All these money-saving tips aside, I’m not a big proponent of storing a ton of holiday decor for about 11 months of the year. In my opinion, the best method for saving money is to use what you already have. So instead of buying a lot of Christmas items, choose a few good items that you can use all year round and make them festive throughout the season.

• I have LED strips in my apartment. For about $14, you can get a 130-foot strip of them , and they can be controlled using an app on your phone. I keep it pink most of the year and change it to red or green during the holidays.

• The same goes for puck lights, which cost about $20 for six . I have them everywhere and again when I’m on holiday I paint them in matching colors. This reduces the need to buy holiday lights and spend money.

• You can also choose green or red air freshener refills ( you can purchase five Bath & Body Works Wallflowers for $27 right now ). They replace holiday night lights (which are expensive!) without raising suspicion. They go together perfectly.

• When in doubt, tie bows wherever and whenever you can. Get 50 yards of one-inch tape for $6.99 and wrap it around everyday candles, storage boxes, tissue boxes and everything else. Everywhere you go you will see Christmas candles, tissue boxes, towels and baskets. Their look can be replicated with a bow, and as a bonus, the ribbon takes up virtually no storage space, unlike those who splurge.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money on special items for these purposes, especially if there are decorations that aren’t worth compromising on.

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