How to Decorate for Christmas on a Dime

From the tree to the trendy new Christmas decor and even the extra electricity you spend on lights, your Christmas decor budget can be almost as much as the money you spend on presents. Instead of blowing it all, making your home look festive, use these tips for decorating for Christmas on a dime! 

Dollar Store Decor

Decorating for Christmas on a dime is easier when you make use of all the beautiful decorations you can find at the dollar store. From ornaments to figurines and even Christmas wreaths, you can find almost anything you need at discounted prices. 

Consider decorations that would typically cost much more than a dollar, such as window lights, garland, and cookie plates. You’ll also be able to find cute Christmas pictures and wall hangings to use as décor and potentially as gifts as well.

Repurpose Old Decorations 

We all have a box of decorations that really doesn’t fit the current theme. If that’s the case for you, make this year the year that you stop letting them go to waste. Instead, repurpose them into something new. You can easily cover ornaments with fabric, decoupage, or even glitter. Involve the whole family in the artistic work, and you’ll have great memories for years to come.

Another idea is to purchase some metallic spray paint and make all of the tree decorations the same color. For the price of one can of paint, you’ll have a whole new theme. 

Lights, Timers, Action

Your Christmas lights can be a significant drag on your utility bills during the holidays. To save money on your electric bill, you can make a few small tweaks in your Christmas decorating plan. While it may seem like an expensive upfront cost, switching your Christmas lights to LEDs can help you save a lot of money. Start with outdoor lights, which typically cost more since there are more of them. Then, upgrade your indoor Christmas lights as well.  

Another great and very inexpensive way to save money on your energy costs during the holidays is investing in timers. These typically cost $5 to $10, but they can have a big impact on your bills (and your holiday cheer). Set your lights to go off around the time you go to bed and to come back on right when you get up. You might not want your outdoor lights on all day, but waking up to that cheery Christmas tree might be all you need to get into the holiday spirit.

Note: These holiday timers are also great for safety purposes as you won’t forget to turn off the lights when you head off to bed.

Get Thrifty With It 

Thrift stores can be total treasure troves for holiday decor. Since thrift stores don’t typically love having seasonal items sitting on their shelves for months at a time, they’ll usually deeply discount these items, which means you can benefit from the savings. A great tip is going to a higher-end neighborhood thrift store. Their prices are usually around the same as what you’d find in a modest-income neighborhood, but the decor can often be of a much higher quality. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to clean anything you bring home from the thrift store before you start using it! 

Try a Swap 

If you’re tired of the same decor over and over every Christmas, but you’re just not in a spot where you can overhaul all your Christmas decorations, consider swapping with some friends. Setting up a swap is a great way to save money and get new decorations in the process. Your friends will likely find something they love among your decor, and you can find something you love in theirs. There are so many different ways you can swap items, so find one that works best for you and your group of friends! 

Crafty Things 

If your visions of DIY Christmas decorations include paper chains and snowflakes pasted to windows, it’s time to up that DIY Christmas decorating on a dime game! There are so many projects you can do for Christmas for a really low cost. From traditional cinnamon ornaments to classy and modern Christmas decor, use Pinterest or the search engine on Google to find a DIY Christmas decor project that fits your budget and style! Even if you’re not a terribly crafty person, you’ll likely be able to find something that you’re able to do for holiday decor! 

Note: If you're a crafty person on a budget and have a hard time saying no to the latest and greatest DIY project, this might not be the right choice for you. Whatever you choose – make sure you have a budget and stick to it. This will keep you on track with your yearly goals and make the start of the New Year much more pleasant.

Related post: Budgeting for the Holiday Season

What are your favorite tips for decorating on a dime? Leave a comment below and share your ideas with the rest of us. Who knows who you might inspire!