Inside: Not wanting to decorate for the holidays this year? Use one of these fast, easy, and cheap ways to instantly give your home a bit of Christmas cheer with little effort. ➡
Some years you may not have the time to invest in decorating for the holiday season.
Or the money.
Maybe you don’t feel like celebrating.
Or you just plain don’t enjoy decorating.
But you can (and you should) still bring some of the joy of the holidays into your home!
The goal is for your Christmas decorations to be at a level that brings you joy, not stress. Letting holiday decorating overwhelm you defeats its very purpose.
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There’s no rule in any holiday handbook that you have to go all out and have every surface shout “Merry Christmas”. Everyone has different things going on in their lives. And decorating may not be on the top of everyone’s list of their favorite pastimes.
But having a touch of holiday decor where you live is so important to lift your spirits during what can be a stressful time of year.
So if you are not feeling up to the task, I’ve put together this list of ideas to add a little easy decor and holiday spirit to your space without much expense or effort!
I’m joining together with friends for the Celebrate the Holiday Blog Hop, hosted by Carol of Bluesky at Home. This month we are prepping you for the holiday season which will be here in a flash now that Halloween has passed! Make sure to check them all out at the end of this post. If you’ve hopped over from Peacock Ridge Farm, welcome! Renae’s garland is stunning and she makes it look so easy.
Greenery and natural elements.
Add greenery to a focal point in your space. Just this touch where you see it all the time instantly makes any room feel decorated for the holidays! This could be where you watch tv, the kitchen, a headboard, or where you enter the house.
It doesn’t have to be in a fancy arrangement or garland. It’s simply beautiful on its own.
Add tree branches to a vase. Tuck greenery sprigs into shelves or decorative containers you already have in place.
Or add a Christmas wreath or garland somewhere you spend a lot of time – you’re not limited to a fireplace or front door.
And there are so many greenery options! You can trim real greenery from outdoors (one of my favorite ways to decorate for free).
Cedar, magnolia, and boxwood are all classics for the holidays. If you have access to pine trees, forage a stash of pine cones to use in a bowl all winter long – no stress about putting it away on December 26.
Or faux greenery picks are super affordable and last throughout the season without having to think about them again. You don’t need much and can even cut them apart to spread the holiday decor and dollars further.
Cedar and pine faux greenery have become so realistic and look beautiful anywhere you put it – a dining table, living room table, or kitchen counter.
Ornaments.
Ornaments are the MVP when it comes to easy Christmas decorations. Simply adding ball ornaments to a tray or bowl makes instant holiday decor that fits any style!
Repurpose old ornaments or pick up some shatterproof ornaments from the dollar store and tuck in centerpieces and current decor to make any room ready for the holidays.
Lights.
Lights are a huge part of what creates the magical and peaceful vibe of Christmas. Lighting a few candles is so easy and most people already have a collection of them. Even better if they can bring in the scents of Christmas.
Draping a strand of string lights is another easy, inexpensive way to create holiday ambiance, especially if you live in a small space. Just like the greenery, any spot you spend your time is a good place for the peaceful glow of lights!
Try placing some battery operated fairy lights into vases, old wine bottles, or mason jars. Or wind them down a table, on a mantel, or through a plant.
Holiday photographs.
Another one of my favorite budget-friendly free ways to decorate is to use photographs of good memories of past Christmases (or any season).
Every December I switch out the photos in picture frames already on display with Santa photos of my kids, who are all grown up now. (You can see these in the full tour of our family room at Christmas here.)
When we’ve had our extended family here for Christmas, I’ve also put out holiday photos of our parents who are no longer with us. It always gets us to reminiscing all the good old family Christmas stories!
Mini versions of wreaths and trees.
A tabletop or small tree is affordable on a tight budget, plus easy to decorate and store. Mini wreaths can easily be found for under ten dollars apiece. And they are both perfect holiday decor for small apartments!
Wrapped presents.
And gifts that you plan to buy and wrap anyway can pull double duty as holiday decorations! Wrap them in paper that matches your decor’s color scheme and dress them up with ribbon and accessories.
Even wrap some empty shipping boxes that are headed to the recycling bin as an easy way to decorate (my family never fails to ask who these staged gifts are for after everything’s opened).
Ribbon and bows.
Christmas ribbon is an affordable way to add a festive touch. And the wired kind makes it so easy to tie and shape a simple bow on anything for instant holiday flair!
Food.
Food is another thing that can do double duty as holiday decor and is super affordable.
Candy canes or any Christmas candy in a bowl or jar add holiday cheer to the kitchen counter. Or a plate of Christmas cookies or treats under a cake plate.
Another easy, fun idea is to set up a hot cocoa station on the counter or on a drink cart with some of your coffee mugs and hot cocoa trimmings on a tray.
Christmas books.
Stack a few children’s classic Christmas stories on the coffee table. Not only will they be affordable Christmas decorations but they’re a great way to remember that long lost wonder of being a were a child at Christmas. Be on the lookout throughout the year for your childhood favorites when you’re browsing the thrift store.
I still have my favorite dog-eared Christmas books as well as my kids’, all read so many times! Those top couple are mine circa 1960’s – and both of our covers have worn a bit over the years.👵
Christmas cards.
If you still receive Christmas cards, they make great easy and free decorations. Put them in a basket on an end table. Or display your favorite Christmas cards from seasons past in a gallery on the wall. There are so many creative ways to display cards that you can buy now as well:
Set the mood.
Decorate for all of the senses, not just the eyes. Christmas scents, music, and movies bring the warm feelings of Christmas, not just the decorations!
It’s just not Christmas to me without the heavenly smells of Christmas trees and baked goodies, familiar Christmas music, and my must-watch holiday movies – Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, and It’s a Wonderful Life.
If you are just not into decorating this year, I hope you are able to use at least one of these ideas to help bring the joy of the season into your home.
Holiday decorating doesn’t have to be over the top or cost a lot of money.
I decorate at the level I do because I have the time and have collected a lot to work with over the years. And really I just love doing it. That is me and everyone is different.
It is whatever brings you joy and peace.
Happy Holidays,
As always, I appreciate your visit, comments, and shares here on the blog! I’d love it if you also follow along with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook so you won’t miss any of my inspiration and ideas.
Don’t forget to sign up for updates to keep in touch…I have lots of fun and useful freebies you may be interested in in my subscriber-only library like this Snowflake Martini Recipe Gift Tag:
Are you ready for more? Check out all the ideas below. Our next stop is Postcards
from the Ridge – you’ll love Angie’s cute chinoiserie ornament craft!
Kate – Love Love Love your ideas. So simple but impactful. A great list to share with those who don’t think they can pull together holiday decorating. Your photos and descriptions were perfect. Happy Hopping!
Kate, these are all such wonderful ideas. Anything to make life easier and reduce stress at the holidays is a winner in my book. Everything looks so beautiful.
Kate, these are fantastic ideas for Christmas decorating. I love your suggestions for making beautiful Christmas decorating without going crazy. Greenery is always beautiful. Ornaments don’t have to hang on trees. Changing out pictures is a great idea. Thanks so much for sharing on the Celebrate the Holiday Blog Hop.
Thank you Carol! Thank you so much for inviting me to be on your holiday hop – so many great ideas have me inspired to start decorating today!! 🎄🎅
Love these ideas! You are right about the Christmas photos, so fun to look back on! I have also saved Christmas cards that were especially lovely to me and framed them, as they are usually close to 4×6 or 5×7.. There are years I feel like going all out, and some when I have wanted to keep it simple. Nice to have options, and certainly no need to buy all new every year. The older I get, the more simple sounds nice!
I think the older we get, we all appreciate things a little easier and simpler. If it wasn’t for decorating trees and garlands, my holiday decor would be A LOT easier!!
You have the best no hassle decorating ideas Kate! There are so many simple ways to decorate with I have, especially if I forage for those pine clippings that you mentioned! 😉 Pinned!
Thanks Michelle! I really do wish I had my very own pine tree.🙂
So many great ideas. Just gorgeous!
Thank you Renae!
Kate, you have so many wonderful suggestions and beautiful ideas in this post! So many helpful ways to add simple, but beautiful touches of Christmas around your home! I also display our Santa pictures from years past every year. Our kids are grown, but it’s still fun to look back at all the photos. There are some real treasures!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Kim! I do love pulling the kids photos out every year!! 💕
Kate, this was a fabulous post! It was packed with great tips. Not everyone wants to go all out decorating. For some right now, budgets are tight. Sprinkle it in here and there! Love all of your suggestions.
Thanks Tammy!
I always enjoy a simple Christmas and your ideas are just fabulous, loved them❤️❤️
Thank you Ann – I love the simple decorations just as much as the elaborate ones!
Oh, Kate! I am so in love with so many of your decorating ideas! I am a ribbon and greenery lover and each and every photo shared captured my heart. Who knew you could wrap plates with ribbon? That’s getting added to my decorating! Loved hopping with you today!
Thanks Leslie! I sometimes have to stop myself from not tying a ribbon onto anything not moving when I’m decorating for Christmas.😂
Kate – I just love your simple holiday ideas. I actually think less is more sometimes! Framing the holiday pictures is genius!
Thanks Lynn!!
HI Kate. I love everything in this post! Great job! laura in Colorado
Thank you Laura – great hopping with you!!
Kate, simple , inexpensive yet very impactful. Great great great ideas, especially if on a budget! tyty
Thank you!! Can I tell you have much I love your name??😄