5 Thrifty Christmas Decorating Tips from a Christmasholic
Throughout the years, I’ve known all kinds of Christmas decorators. There are minimalists and maximalists. Naturalists and traditionalists. November decorators and December decorators. There are even a few non-decorators.
And then there are the folks like me: the mega-decorators.
I started down this road when I was twelve. That year, my mother worked two jobs to keep us afloat, so she didn’t have the time or energy to even think about Christmas decorations. So, what did I do?
I grabbed an ax from the garage and headed for the woods, of course!
After chopping down a small pine, I dragged it home and gathered every ornament. Unfortunately, long pine needles aren’t conducive to ornament stability, and fitting a tree in a stand was beyond my capability. Every morning, before school, I righted our toppled tree and reattached fallen ornaments before heading out the door. That was also the year I bedecked our porch with Christmas lights. I used a staple gun to secure some colorful strands of C-7s to our wood siding. To this day, I don’t know how I didn’t electrocute myself.
As you can see, the seed of Christmas decorating was planted early in my life and kept growing—and growing—with time. If you’re going to decorate on a grand scale (or on any scale), thrift is the name of the game! Here are a few thrifty tips I’ve learned over the years as a self-proclaimed Christmasholic!
Christmas In July!
I start early.
Really early.
This July, I took advantage of thrift and antique store Christmas finds and landed some great décor. I also recently started a vintage Santa mug collection. Many mugs in my collection have JAPAN written on the bottom, meaning they were made from roughly 1921 to 1941. Santa mugs from this era aren’t easy to find, but I have scored seven. Some came from antique stores while others came from Etsy and eBay. Some original mug sets were out of my price range, so I bought reproductions for a much more affordable price.
The fun thing about collections is they’re something you can add to each year. If you can’t find (or afford) that uniquely special decor item from your childhood try ChristmasTraditions.com. This family-owned business boasts an amazing inventory also within most budgets. Plus, perusing it is like taking a walk down a merry memory land!
Whether you’re a collector or just a yuletide enthusiast, scouting early Christmas items can lead to unique, useful, and thrifty finds.
Saving Vintage!
At a recent estate sale, I found four tiny Putz people for a mere dollar each to go with my Putz houses. Meanwhile, a yard sale yielded an adorable Shawnee pottery elf shoe planter which will look festive holding a Christmas amaryllis. My friend found a beautiful large 1980s angel with lights at our favorite antique store.
One of my all-time favorite finds is the 1990s vintage Santa’s Marching Mice Band I stumbled upon at my favorite consignment store about ten years ago. Little mice dressed in marching attire use wooden mallets to ring tiny chimes, greeting guests with over thirty-five Christmas carols as they enter our home. I got a deal on the set (ten dollars) because the cords were terribly tangled. To my delight, every mouse worked after I freed them!
Sometimes, it takes a little elbow grease and creativity when you find vintage Christmas décor. For example, I recently bought a box of non-working vintage flower Christmas bulb covers in five colors. However, they look wonderful in a glass jar with a strand of fairy lights hidden in the interior and also make a sweet gift for other vintage-loving friends.
When you buy vintage/antique Christmas décor, you buy treasures from a bygone era. These items are not easy to find and won’t be replaced. I know people who’ve discarded their vintage and inherited antique Christmas decorations. If you’re a thrifter, keep a sharp eye out for great bargains. Don’t automatically overlook something because it might not be in pristine condition. You never know what you’ll find at sales and shops. In fact, you could be the proud rescuer and owner of a unique or rare piece of history!
Don’t Blow Your Money!
Christmas blow molds have been lighting yards for decades, but their popularity has made a major resurgence. It’s not hard to see why. They’re the perfect MCM display, wildly sought after by Christmas enthusiasts everywhere.
Unfortunately, buying a blow mold these days can be a small investment. However, I’ve bought eight in the past two years without breaking the bank. How, you might ask? By buying smaller blow molds!
This summer, my husband purchased a tabletop 3-piece nativity for me for just 90 dollars. I also bought two vintage Santas last year for $35 each. They look especially festive beside our full-sized trees!
Of course, my amazing Christmas finds didn’t end there. I purchased an adorable blow mold vintage sleighing Santa for 39 dollars. He makes a merry addition to my vintage Santa mug collection. Then, there are the two half-century-old four-foot candy cane molds I found at an antique store for $10 each. One needed a new light kit, which I ordered for around three dollars.
When it comes to Christmas decorations, you don’t always have to go big or go home. Don’t blow your entire Christmas budget on one item. Instead, consider making smaller purchases spread out over time. Not only will your wallet thank you, but you’ll have even more decorations to work with!
Go Green!
Two weeks ago, I saw the Cadillac of Christmas trees on FB Marketplace—a nine-foot, pre-lit Balsam Hill. Sadly, it was too tall for our ceilings.
No matter!
Facebook Marketplace has a little something in the tree department for everyone. From short to tall to slender to fit to spruce to flocked, it’s a fantastic source for used trees. Yard sales are another great tree source. Some yard sale Christmas trees are displayed in their stands with lights, taking the guesswork out of buying. After all, an online seller might not even be certain their packed-away tree lights are still functional! Always check with the seller before you seal the online deal.
Being savvy while buying a second-hand Christmas tree is a great way to save money. Of course, reusing your tree for many seasons is a definite money-saver. We’ve done both thrifty methods. Last weekend, I bought two beautiful pine garlands for $2 each at a yard sale. You can also find wreaths a-plenty for the holiday season.
Alternatively, you can do what I’ve done—refresh your current wreaths or swags by taking them to a local florist. Have them add a new bow and a few new seasonal picks. If you want to save even more money, do it yourself! Another money-saver is buying tabletop trees. Their small size makes them extra versatile. Of course, they’re easy to store, as well!
So, this holiday season, don’t rush out to buy a new tree or wreaths. Instead, scour secondhand markets or your storage area to see what you can do with what you already have on hand. It’s truly amazing what you can do with a little imagination and a few dollars!
More Merry Merch!
If you’re on the hunt for even more thrifty Christmas decorating tips, we’ve got you covered! I’ve got a few more thrifty tips up my sleeve. Keep reading to find out even more great ideas for budget-friendly decorating!
- Buy an old Christmas tree stand at a yard sale.
- Use Christmas pillows or covers for your furniture throw pillows.
- Use a spotlight on your home instead of hundreds of Christmas lights in your yard.
- Buy timers for your inside and outside lights to save on electricity bills.
- Make your existing china cabinets merry by simply adding color-coordinating ornaments.
- Save your favorite Christmas cards each season and make a beautiful mantle-memory banner.
- Use Christmas pump soaps for a festive (and fragrant) hand-washing experience.
- Seek out some seasonal Christmas hand towels to cozy up your kitchen and baths.
- Use coupons or shop sale days for your favorite holiday-scented candles.
- Gather pine (my favorite is juniper) branches to make natural swags for inside and outside your home.
- Use your seasonally-colored quilts and plaid throws to add a bit of cheer to your living room or other family spaces.
- Test and buy Christmas light strands, especially C7s, at yard sales.
Takeaway
Christmas is called “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” for a reason. And as they say, it is not only a season; it’s a state of mind. One of the secrets to enjoying holiday peace is intentionality. Getting the jump on affordable festive touches can help you achieve just that. This Christmas, use some of the above suggestions to keep a song in your heart—and your finances in harmony!
If you’re looking for a little more holiday decorating inspiration, check out the pictures below to see my Christmas décor!
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Originally published November 19, 2024
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