21 Tips to Save Money on Christmas Décor – How to Have the Christmas Décor of Your Dreams On A Budget
Hello everyone,
Happy Christmas in July! If you’re anything like me, Christmas preparations begin well in advance of the holiday season. I start brainstorming ideas for the next year as I’m taking down decorations at the end of the season. I go into preparation mode immediately, mapping out designs and deciding what new items I might need. Spoiler alert—I usually do need new things! To avoid a hefty bill all at once, I’ve learned to purchase a little at a time, ensuring everything is paid for by October when I start decorating.
Initially, this post was meant to cover one topic, but as I write, I realize it’s perfect for sharing how you can achieve your dream Christmas décor on a budget. Here are 21 Tips To Save Money On Christmas Décor.
21 Tips To Save Money On Christmas Decor
1. Plan
Start early and be organized. Planning saves money in the long run. Know what you have, what you need, what you want, and what you’re willing to spend. For example, last year I wanted to add some crystal accents to my tree. By planning ahead, I knew exactly how many I needed and could look for sales and online deals throughout the year.
2. Budget
Set a budget and stick to it. Avoid debt by only spending what you can afford. If your budget is $100 a month, adhere to that limit. If you want something pricier, stay tuned, I’ll give you ways to accomplish this in another tip below.
3. Shop After Christmas Sales
One of my biggest 21 Tips To Save Money On Christmas Décor – Save up for post-Christmas sales, where you can get up to 75% off. Focus on high-ticket items for the best savings. Last year, I scored on nearly all the garland I needed for this year at half the price because I bought it after the holidays.
4. Shop Sales Throughout the Year
Take advantage of Christmas in July, Way Day, and Amazon Prime Day sales. Plan your purchases and double-check that items are truly discounted. I’ve seen prices marked up during sales, so always verify you’re getting a good deal.
5. Buy Monthly
Spread out your purchases. I’ll give you an example. A few years ago, I got tired of wasting money on lights that only lasted one season, and worse yet, added a ton to my electricity bill. I wanted to swap out all of my incandescent lights for LEDs. At around $20 a pop and considering I use an average of 8-10 sets of lights a year, lights alone could have easily cost between $160 – $200. Instead of buying them all at once, I bought one set of LED lights per month starting in January. By October, I had all the lights I needed without a huge upfront cost.
On The Subject Of Lights…
Here’s another tip that can save you some money…at least in the long run.
6. Invest in Dual-Colored Lights
These lights change from warm white to multicolored, or there are some really fancy ones that cost a little more that you can program to produce whatever color or combination you want offering versatility without needing multiple sets. Though they require a higher initial investment, they’re cheaper in the long run. I bought 3 sets of dual-colored lights this month, and now I don’t need separate lights for different color schemes.
7. Use Coupons
I’ll be honest, even I sometimes forget to use this 7th tip of my 21 Tips To Save Money On Christmas Décor. Before finalizing a purchase, check sites like RetailMeNot.com and Coupons.com for discounts. Every little bit helps! You never know, you might save yourself an extra 20% off or free shipping, and every little bit counts.
8. Buy from Sites Like eBay, Poshmark, & Mercari
Here’s another of my 21 Tips To Save Money On Christmas Décor – Purchase used estate sale or new liquidated items at lower prices from websites like eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari. In many instances, you can make the seller an offer on what you’d like to pay, and often, they will accept or counter with their best possible price. Always read descriptions and check return policies to make informed decisions. I’ve found gorgeous crystal ornaments on eBay (some new) for a fraction of the retail price.
Remember that comment I made about wanting something that
costs more than your monthly budget?
This is where my next tip comes in:
9. Use PayPal Pay in 4, PayPal Credit, or AfterPay
PayPal Pay in 4, PayPal Credit, or AfterPay and other similar websites that allow you to pay in installments, often interest-free, without a credit check. They’re perfect for larger purchases that might be beyond your monthly budget. I used PayPal Pay in 4 to buy a set of high-end decorations, paying over two months without breaking the bank. In the case of PayPal Credit, as I write this, you can pay for what you want interest-free for up to 6 months.
10. Price Compare Online
The internet is your friend. Use the internet to compare prices. Many stores carry the same items, and prices can vary significantly. I found a Northlight 4″ Green and Blue Plaid Hanging Christmas Ball Ornament for less than $4 by comparing prices online. Copy and paste the exact item description into Google for the best results, or right-click on the image and hit the “search the web for image” or “search image with Google” and similar results will appear. See the deals for yourself:
11. DIY Decorations
Get crafty and make some of your own decorations. Pinterest and YouTube are full of DIY projects that can save you money and add a personal touch to your holiday décor. For example, I once made my own tartan and plaid ornaments using materials I got online at a fraction of the cost, they turned out beautifully and I liked them even more than the original ornaments that served as my inspiration from Pottery Barn.
12. Thrift Stores and Yard Sales
Don’t overlook secondhand stores and yard sales for unique and affordable decorations. You can often find vintage items or gently used décor at a fraction of the cost.
13. Repurpose and Upcycle
Look at what you already have and think about how you can repurpose or upcycle items into Christmas décor. An old Christmas tree became some much-needed garland, swags, and picks when I simply chopped up the branches at the base. To make them fuller, I secured them together with dark-colored zip ties. Afterward, I added some greenery and berries I already owned, and voilà–what’s old is new again!
14. Swap with Friends and Family
Arrange a decoration swap with friends or family. Everyone brings items they no longer use, and you can trade for something new-to-you. It’s a fun way to refresh your décor without spending any money. I once scored some new ornaments from my sister by swapping and in the end we both got what we wanted at no financial cost.
15. Rent Decorations
Consider renting decorations for the holiday season. Some companies, including HolidayDecorating.Net offer rental services for high-end or themed decorations, which can save you money and storage space. A client last year used our service and it worked well. She was thrilled with her decor.
16. Use Natural Elements
Incorporate natural elements like pinecones, holly, and evergreen branches into your décor. I LOVE PINECONES. They’re often free – where I live, there are copses of pine trees all over the place, making it FREE and easily accessible. They add a cozy, rustic touch to your home. I love foraging for pinecones and painting the tips white – just like freshly fallen snow for a festive wintery look.
17. Limit the Number of Themes
Stick to one or two themes instead of trying to cover every trend or don’t be trendy at all. I always tell my clients that Christmas is about surrounding themselves with the things and people that make them happy. It’s about creating memories, so try to keep this in mind when decorating. This will help you focus your spending and ensure a cohesive look. Last year, I chose a simple pinecone and winterberry covered in ice theme (you can check out that blog post here) and found it much easier to stay within budget.
18. Buy in Bulk
When possible, purchase items like ornaments and ribbons in bulk to save money. Many stores offer discounts for buying larger quantities. I often buy bulk packs of ribbons and use them for various projects throughout the season.
19. Join Loyalty Programs
Sign up for loyalty programs at stores where you frequently shop for decorations. Many offer exclusive discounts, early access to sales, and rewards points. I’ve saved a lot by using my loyalty points to offset the cost of new decorations.
20. Check Local Buy Nothing Groups
Join local “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook or other social media platforms where people give away items for free. You might find some great decorations that others no longer need. Last year, my husband’s niece alerted me to this new trend, and she was happy and eager to share all her new finds with me.
21. Shop Early
I cannot stress this enough. This is the last of my 21 Tips To Save Money On Christmas Décor but it’s also one of the most important because it affects the initial cost of holiday items. Buying Christmas decorations outside of the holiday season is much cheaper than doing it at Christmastime when they are in high demand. Some stores start getting and putting their Christmas stock out as early as late August to early September so try to get some deals early and avoid high demand prices.
I hope these 21 Tips to Save Money on Christmas Décor will inspire you to create your dream Christmas decor without breaking the bank. I know I discussed only Christmas here, but these tips can be used in other aspects of your life. If you have other new ways you save money, I’d love to hear them. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. With 157 days until Christmas, you still have time to plan.
Until next time, happy planning and decorating!
Cheers!
