6 Classy Ways to Decorate for the Holidays on a Budget
Thursday, December 18, 2025
By Nicole Wray for REALTOR.ca
When the weather changes from a crisp fall breeze to a freezing winter chill, there’s something about decorating for the holiday season that brings a feeling of warmth and coziness to your home. To help you deck the halls without going over budget, we’re sharing some tips about how to save on holiday décor while keeping it classy. By using what you have, investing in long-lasting pieces, checking out thrift stores and doing a few DIY projects, you can make your home feel merry and bright on any budget.
1. Skip the red and green for a more modern look
Vibrant red and emerald green may look good on Santa Claus, but when it comes to decorating your home, a seasonal but more subdued colour scheme can save you money while offering a modern holiday feel. To achieve a chic holiday look without the tinsel, consider investing in pieces that will last all season long instead of spending on holiday décor items you’ll want to hide away after December. Items like a plaid throw blanket, pillows in fall hues or a centrepiece with seasonal fruit like tangerines will bring a classic holiday warmth to your home from fall to spring.
2. Score unique finds and reduce waste by shopping at thrift stores
Not only is shopping at thrift stores for holiday décor affordable, it’s also more environmentally friendly.. From unique serving trays for holiday cookies to wooden crates for displaying gifts or vintage glassware to decorate your table, thrift and antique stores offer plenty of inspiration for holiday décor on any budget. To ensure you find pieces that’ll work in your home, think about items that might have more than one purpose like a tablecloth that could be used as a Christmas tree skirt or a vintage tin bucket that could be used for a seasonal floral arrangement on your front porch.
3. Wrap gifts early and put them on display
Avoiding last-minute holiday shopping pays off in more ways than one. Not only will you miss out on long lines and delayed shipping times, there’s nothing more cheerful than a pile of wrapped gifts under the tree to make your home feel ready for the holidays. To save on wrapping costs, consider using recycled paper (newspaper or last year’s wrapping paper) or brown kraft paper. Twine instead of ribbon is an affordable and more sustainable holiday-themed option, and a few sprigs of green pulled from your backyard or a walk in the woods will make your gifts look like a scene from a Hallmark holiday movie.
4. Visit the dollar store with a few DIYs in mind
Discount or dollar stores are a no-brainer for affordable holiday décor like twinkle lights, tinsel ornaments and just about anything you need to deck the halls. If you find dollar store items are more tacky than charming, consider doing a DIY project to bring new life to discount holiday décor. For example, a miniature holiday village made with plastic or ceramic houses found at the dollar store can easily be transformed into a modern holiday scene with a spray coat of paint that matches your décor (solid white is a classic option). Add a battery-powered tea light candle and you’ll create a classy holiday village for just a few dollars.
5. Skip the traditional tree and decorate a houseplant instead
Decorating a fir, spruce or poplar is a holiday tradition in many households. But if you live in a small space, are sticking to a budget or simply want to switch it up, decorating houseplants you already own is an easy and affordable way to transform your home in an Instagram-worthy holiday scene. Simply hang a few ornaments and add a string of twinkle lights and you won’t miss the traditional tree. If houseplants feel more tropical than traditional, consider going for a nature walk to find free seasonal greens like sprigs of cedar, pinecones, acorns or other evergreen cuttings to display in your home.
6. Decorate and display a gingerbread house
Decorating a gingerbread house is a must-do holiday activity for many families, and they’re not just for kids. Gingerbread houses are whimsical, sweet and do double duty as decoration and dessert. Plus, DIY gingerbread house kits are affordable and easy to find at most grocery stores. Add a tablecloth and display your gingerbread house on a pretty plate or cake stand to make it a budget-friendly decoration worth waiting until Christmas to eat.
Decorating on a budget doesn’t mean missing out on that warm and cozy holiday feeling. By getting creative, shopping for multi-purpose pieces and hunting for deals on unique items, you can stick to a budget without sacrificing on holiday style.
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Brian Kondo
Sales Representative / Team Leader
The Brian Kondo Real Estate Team
Re/Max Hallmark First Group Realty Ltd.
905-683-7800 office
905-426-7484 direct
brian@briankondo.com
www.BrianKondo.com
www.BrianKondoTeam.com
Nicole Wray's The article above was initially published on Realtor.ca. You can find it by clicking here.
| REALTOR.ca is the most popular and most trusted real estate website in Canada. Owned and operated by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), REALTOR.ca provides up-to-date and reliable information that makes finding your dream property easy and enjoyable. REALTOR.ca is popular with sellers, buyers, and renters and is accessible online and on mobile devices. |
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Nicole Wray |
About the Author Nicole Wray is a strategic communications professional and freelance writer. Her work covers topics including careers, tech, education and lifestyle. Nicole lives in Toronto with her dog Scout, a German shorthaired pointer. |
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