The 3 Rules We Follow to Keep Our Holiday Decor Budget In Check
*This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here. Thank you for supporting my blog.*
Hello, friends!
The minute the clock ticks past Halloween, my heart (and my kids!) start doing a happy dance for all things festive. There is truly nothing more magical than watching our little builder-grade house by the preserve transform into a cozy, intentional winter haven. But let’s be honest, transforming your home for the holidays year after year can quickly lead to two things: budget stress and storage chaos.
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I’m all about high-impact, low-cost decorating. We love a beautiful, traditional-meets-modern look, but we refuse to sacrifice our savings for temporary seasonal style.
This year, I’m sharing the three non-negotiable rules we follow religiously to keep our holiday decor budget in check while still achieving that layered, magical feeling we crave. These simple steps ensure we’re making smart choices that last, giving us those seasonal decorating savings we can use for, well, more decorating next year! 😉
Rule 1: The Shop-Your-Own-Home Policy (The Re-purpose Rule)
Before I even think about stepping into a store or opening an online retailer, I “shop” my own home. This is the single most effective way to start your holiday styling with thrifty holiday styling and zero cost.
The key is to think texture and color, not holiday theme.
Swap textiles: Those chunky knit cream blankets you use in the living room? They instantly become cozy winter decor when draped over a bench in the entryway. A simple gray or white throw pillow can replace a festive red one, giving you a quiet, wintry look that still feels special.
Reimagine your display pieces: Instead of buying holiday-specific risers, I reuse my marble and wooden cutting boards from the kitchen to create height on my console table. Grouping everyday white vases (I’m looking at you, Target clearance finds!) and filling them with inexpensive pine stems (more on that later) is a perfect way to get a chic, affordable Christmas decoration display without buying a single Santa.
This rule forces me to use what I already own in new ways, meaning less clutter and more money in my pocket.
Rule 2: Embrace Nature's Budget (The Greenery Rule)
If I could only afford one thing to decorate my house for Christmas, it would be greenery. Nothing, and I mean nothing, gives you a bigger high-impact low-cost Christmas look than lush, well-placed garland and sprays.
The problem? Good quality faux greenery is expensive. So, here’s our trick:
Invest in one quality garland: Choose one long, thick, unlit faux garland for your main focal point (like the mantle or staircase railing). This is a foundational investment.
Fill and 'fluff' with budget buys: I head straight to my favorite dollar store (yes, the Dollar Tree!) or the dollar bins at Target to stock up on inexpensive floral sprays, pine sprigs, and berries. I use floral wire to tuck these budget pieces into the main garland, making it look twice as full and expensive.
Go truly natural: Living in Florida, we don’t have snow, but we do have access to beautiful clippings! Clip a few branches from an evergreen shrub in your yard, or gather pinecones for free. Arranged simply in a clear vase, these elements are the most authentic and beautiful DIY Christmas decor you can find.
Focusing our spending primarily on high-quality greenery gives our home a sophisticated, intentional feel, allowing us to be extremely selective with our accents.
Rule 3: The Curated Holiday Look Commitment (The "Intentional Buy" Rule)
This rule is all about being a conscious consumer and fighting impulse buys. I call it the "Intentional Buy" rule. Every single year, retailers push out dozens of trends, but we stick to our core color palette (cream, gold, natural wood tones, and a touch of deep navy/green).
To prevent overspending on items we'll tire of in a year, we implement a simple system for new purchases:
If it’s novelty, it stays cheap: If I want a fun, trendy item (like a colorful bottle brush tree or a silly accent piece), it must come from the lowest-cost retailer possible (think Target Dollar Spot or a thrift store).
If it's an heirloom, it's a planned purchase: We reserve our actual budget for pieces that are timeless and sentimental, items we intend to use for decades. This might be one quality ornament a year, a beautiful tree collar, or a sturdy storage container system. By limiting these intentional purchases, we ensure our budget holiday decor is slowly building a collection of pieces with real meaning.
The Box Rule: If I buy a new decorative item, an old one must be evaluated. Does it still fit our style? Is it serving a purpose? If the answer is no, it’s donated or set aside for a seasonal yard sale. This keeps our clutter in check and prevents us from having to store boxes upon boxes of things we don’t truly love.
Decorating your home for the holidays should be a joy, not a financial burden. By following these three simple rules—reusing what you own, maximizing affordable Christmas decorations with greenery, and only purchasing new with intention—you can create a magical, layered space that flows perfectly with the rest of your home, all while keeping your holiday decor budget in check.
Happy decorating, friends!
What are your best seasonal decorating savings tips? Drop them in the comments below!
I’m a mom of two and wife to a seriously supportive hubby, living our best life in our forever house by the preserve! I'm all about helping you create a stylish, Pinterest-worthy home on a budget. Let's obsess over interior design, home decor, DIY, and home improvement projects to help you create your best home. Follow along and say hello! I love hearing from you.
Currently Trending
Join me on Instagram!
Looking for something?
