Nothing says “holiday magic” quite like the sparkle of beautifully decorated spaces, and it’s even better when you can achieve it without the price tag. Just use a little creativity, and you can make DIY Christmas decorations that look like they came from high-end stores, using simple materials you might already have at home. Trust us–it’s easier than it sounds, so here’s a guide to inspiring, budget-friendly creations that will make your holiday decor shine without breaking the bank.
Sparkling Faux Crystal Baubles
You’d be surprised at how easy it is to create your own Christmas baubles; simply grab some clear plastic ones and fill them with glitter or faux crystals. They’ll look just as beautiful when they catch the light, but you could add some extra sequins or beads for a further touch. We’ve got no doubt that you’ll achieve that iconic shimmer, and you’ll save a lot of money doing so, too.
Dried Orange Garlands
This Christmas, consider stringing together some dried orange slices to create a timeless garland that gives off a warm, natural scent. Their rustic look recalls the charm of a European Christmas market, and their deep amber color complements holiday decor beautifully. Hung around the home, these garlands lend a cozy, inviting atmosphere that your family and guests will love.
Velvet Ribbon Wreath
There’s something about velvet ribbon that has a way of making anything feel luxurious, especially when wrapped around a foam wreath. Opt for classic festive colors like forest green or burgundy to add a high-end feel, and secure the ribbon with a bow or greenery for a finishing touch. Seriously–this DIY decoration will cost you less than a dollar.
Pinecone Candle Holders
Painted pinecones arranged around votive candles make another rustic holiday centerpiece that feels especially cozy and festive. In terms of color, metallic or white paint gives the centerpiece a frosty look, adding a hint of winter magic to your table. This simple arrangement offers a warm glow that’s perfect for any holiday setting, and it’s a great activity for the kids to get involved in.
Glitter-Dipped Feathers
By simply adding glitter to feather tips, you’ll add a delightful layer of glamor to your holiday decor. In particular, faux feathers work best for durability, and the sparkle they bring makes a unique addition to table centerpieces or gift wrappings. Furthermore, the shimmering effect of the glitter adds subtle elegance without overwhelming the rest of your decorations, so you shouldn’t feel that you’re going overboard.
Frosted Mason Jar Lanterns
Another expensive-looking Christmas decoration that you can DIY on a budget is a frosted lantern. This is surprisingly easy: just coat a mason jar with glue and Epsom salt, and it will instantly have a snowy look. Finally, place a candle inside, and you’ll have a cozy, glowing accent for any space.
DIY Nutcracker Figurines
Using wooden peg dolls, you can paint and craft simple Nutcracker figures with bright colors and small details. It’s a particularly lovely activity for your kids while school is out. Sure, they won’t achieve the intricacy of store-bought nutcrackers, but these DIY versions bring charm and a playful holiday vibe to mantels or holiday tablescapes, and you’ll no doubt cherish them for every Christmas to come.
Golden Leaf Garland
Much like with the pinecone idea, spray-painting leaves gold for a garland creates a surprisingly convincing upmarket Christmas decoration. Faux leaves are recommended for durability, but real leaves work, too, as long as they’re sturdy. After being draped across a mantel or around a doorway, this decoration will bring a sense of warmth and glamor that few others could achieve.
Shimmering Snowflake Window Clings
This DIY idea definitely isn’t for kids, but adults will love it. By using a hot glue gun, you can create snowflake designs on wax paper. Once dry, these glue clings can be placed on windows for a frosted effect. Sure, they may not last as long as store-bought clings, but you made them yourself, and you can do so once again.
Wine Cork Reindeer Ornaments
Building up to the holiday season, consider turning any wine corks you have in the house into adorable reindeer with a few simple materials: pom-poms, googly eyes, and twig antlers. You can probably already see how easy this will be, yet these little ornaments will make for charming additions to the Christmas tree. Best of all, each one can be customized with different colors or accessories, making for a unique collection.
Burlap Stockings with Personalized Tags
Burlap adds a rustic, durable touch to Christmas stockings, perfect for a farmhouse-style holiday theme. Consider personalizing each stocking with tags or small charms for an extra special touch, and we’re sure that your kids (and Santa) will love it.
Salt Dough Gift Tags
Salt dough is easy to make and, once baked, resembles a ceramic finish. Roll it out, cut it into shapes, and bake thoroughly to avoid cracking. Then, paint or write names on each tag for a personal touch that looks polished and thoughtful, adding a charming handmade element to your gift wrapping.
Hanging Paper Star Lanterns
Perhaps the most simple trick on this list is to take some metallic or shimmering paper and cut it into stars. Simply hang them from the ceiling or place them on a mantle, and you’ll have Christmas stars that look refined despite them costing no more than a dollar each.
Faux Fur Tree Skirt
If your Christmas tree still doesn’t have a skirt, this one’s for you. Buy some faux fur and cut it into shape, and just like that, you’ll have a cozy and stylish tree skirt that pairs well with most holiday decor styles. We’re sure you’ll find that the texture brings warmth and makes for an elegant tree base that suits both modern and traditional setups.
Beaded Snowflake Ornaments
Delicate snowflake ornaments made from wire and small beads create a refined, sparkling touch on your tree. Choose beads in silver, white, or light blue for a wintry feel that contrasts nicely against green branches. These ornaments look intricate and catch the light beautifully, adding subtle sparkle.
Mini Wreath Place Settings
Rosemary sprigs are super cheap to purchase, yet they can be shaped into small wreaths that make sophisticated place settings, adding an aromatic and elegant touch to holiday dinners. Tie each with a small ribbon for a touch of color, and not only will these mini wreaths look festive, but they’ll also bring a fresh, natural scent into your home.
Painted Acorn Ornaments
If your yard has an abundance of acorns on the lawn, don’t just throw them away–gather them and paint their caps with metallic paint for a woodland-inspired look. You’re going to have to handle the acorns carefully to avoid breaking, but after completion, you can use them as ornaments on the tree or as decorative accents in a garland.
DIY Snow Globe Jars
For a more complex and detailed Christmas activity, why not transform some old jars into snowglobes? The possibilities are endless, but for inspiration, try gluing small figurines to the lid and adding faux snow inside. Close the jar, flip it, and you’ll have a charming little winter scene. Your kids will love getting involved in this arts and crafts task, too!
Gilded Pine Boughs
Another Christmas decoration that you could make on your own without spending too much is gilded pine boughs. Just spray-paint some pine branches gold to give them that festive look, or if you don’t have a pine tree nearby, faux branches will work well, too. As you can probably imagine, the metallic finish on the green branches will bring heaps of festive warmth to your space.
Lace-Covered Baubles
The final DIY decoration on this list is lace-covered baubles. Buy some baubles, or take the ones that you made earlier and wrap lace or doilies around them, securing them with glue for a beautiful, vintage-inspired ornament. They’re going to look great, and most importantly, they’ll be handmade, leaving you with another delightful element of Christmas cheer to pass down to your kids.