Christmas trees are waiting to be decorated and there’s tinsel around every corner - it’s that time of year again. Don’t let a strict budget stop you from transforming your space for the festive season. Read on for ways to decorate your home this Christmas.
Generally, it’s better to do your Christmas decor shopping as early as possible - even if that means doing it on Boxing Day. Typically, retailers start bringing out their Christmas stock as early as September.
Planning how to decorate for Christmas
Choose a colour palette
Before you even think about purchasing new decorations, decide on a colour scheme. The last couple of years, I chose green, gold, and wooden Christmas decor, which created a luxurious feel. This year I’ve opted to add red for that traditional, classy Christmas look.
Handy tip: Use free apps like Pinterest for inspiration and refer back to your chosen colour scheme when out shopping.
Some common colour schemes include:
Classic Christmas: Red, gold, and green
White Christmas: White and silver/gold
Wintery Christmas: White, blue and silver
Neutral Christmas: Brown, cream, and white
Sparkly Christmas: Silver, transparent, and iridescent
Playful Christmas: Pastels and neon
Nostalgic Christmas: Multi-coloured
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Go through your Christmas decorations
As with buying any home decor, it’s a good idea to look through what you’ve already got. Get your Christmas decs out or look at photos from last year to familiarise yourself. This prevents duplicate purchases or purchases that don’t match with what you’ve already got.
Where to decorate in your home
Ensure your whole home feels the joy of Christmas with festive decor. When purchasing Christmas decor, avoid overbuying by planning what you need first. If the rest of your home feels like it’s lacking, consider these extra places you can decorate to get that festive feeling everywhere you go:
Mantlepiece, headboards, & window sills: garlands, twinkly lights, and candles
Ceiling: hanging paper decorations & bunting
Stair rail: garlands, bows, and twinkly lights
Cupboard doors, door handles & photo frames: bows & ribbons
Kitchen: Festive tea towels & hot chocolate station
Purchasing new Christmas decorations
Establish a budget
We all know how expensive Christmas can be - gift-giving alone! Set a budget for when you go Christmas decoration shopping to ensure you don’t overspend. This can help when you’re deciding whether a purchase is worth it or not and prevents impulsive purchases.
Real VS. fake Christmas trees
Whether it’s a real Christmas tree or a faux Christmas tree, Christmas trees can be costly, especially if you’ve set yourself the challenge of finding the perfect one. While a real tree is lovely, the yearly cost can quickly add up over the years.
This year, why not opt to purchase second-hand? There are a variety of second-hand platforms available where you can shop for pre-loved Christmas essentials. What’s more, when you purchase your faux tree, you’ll be making a one-off payment for a tree that will last you years to come.
Handy Tip: Turn the branches at the back of the tree in on themselves to fill gaps. This gives the illusion of a bushier, fuller tree.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Where to shop for Christmas decorations
Whilst individual baubles are beautiful, the cost can add up quickly. That’s where multipacks of baubles can come in handy. Purchase from the likes of Dunelm, Wayfair, B&M, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Argos, TK Maxx, The Range, and ASDA to help stick to your budget.
Choose items you'll love for years to come
Good purchases are ones that you’ll likely love for years to come. If you’re trying to save money, avoid risky Christmas decorations, and opt for ones that know you love. If you’re unsure about a purchase, think on it. Chances are, if you’re still thinking it about it after, you know it’ll be a well-loved item.
Make your own Christmas decorations
Make Christmas feel extra special this year with homemade decorations. Whether it’s a homemade wreath using foliage from your garden, quick-dry clay ornaments, paper bunting, or DIY bows made from ribbon, it’ll put a smile on your face every year.
Decorating for Christmas
Use Pinterest for inspiration
When it comes to the actual decorating, use Pinterest for inspiration. Whether you’re unsure how to decorate your tree, or how to make your Christmas centrepiece a showstopper, use reference photos for guidance.
Learn how to decorate like a pro
There is an impressive variety of content creators out there with content on how to decorate like a pro. Here are some handy tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way:
Create a cosy ambience with low lighting and candles
Layer your decor to create a luxury finish
Place larger baubles near the centre of your tree
Fill gaps in your tree with smaller baubles
Bend branches at the back of the tree up and inwards to hide gaps
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Put some Christmas music on
Is it really Christmas if you’re not strutting your stuff around the house to Christmas songs? Get merry while decorating your home and play the cheesiest Christmas tunes you know.
Finish with a Christmas film
Christmas decorating might not look it, but it’s certainly tiring. Congratulate yourself with a Christmas film and a hot chocolate - or maybe a mulled wine after untangling those Christmas lights!
I’m Layla, the home and garden editor, and I started working at MyVoucherCodes in November 2022. I have always loved to write, especially after getting my degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and since getting my own place, I’ve gotten stuck into all things home and garden.
When I’m not writing about saving money on homely purchases, I’m either sitting with my head in a new book, painting a piece of art for my walls, or binge-watching an interior design programme on Netflix. I love to get inspiration and transform my space, usually with the help of a few Pinterest boards and a couple of tins of paint.
