Let’s be honest: scrolling through Pinterest during the holidays can be dangerous for our wallets. We see those stunning, “high-end” holiday homes and think we need a professional interior designer or a bottomless bank account to achieve that look. But as a busy mom of three, I’ve learned that the cost of decor doesn’t always equal the style. In fact, some of my favorite holiday vignettes cost just pennies!
The secret to a magical home isn’t spending a fortune; it’s mastering the art of the “High-Low” holiday. By using clever techniques—like the specific “Golden Touch” of spray paint or adding rich textures like velvet—you can transform Dollar Tree Christmas hacks into sophisticated decor that mimics your favorite luxury brands. We are going for Affordable Luxury here: champagne taste on a beer budget!
If you want a home that feels cozy, warm, and undeniably expensive looking without the price tag, you are in the right place. These 30 budget holiday home styling ideas will help you create a festive atmosphere that will leave your guests asking, “Where did you buy that?” Get your DIY pride ready, because we are about to make some magic! 🎄✨🎀
🛍️ The “Holiday Styling Kit” Essentials
Before you start, grab these 5 Amazon essentials. They are the “secret sauce” for almost every hack on this list!
- 🎨 Rust-Oleum Metallic Gold Spray Paint (The holy grail of gold!)
- ✨ Rub ‘n Buff (Antique Gold) (For that vintage patina)
- 🎀 Velvet Ribbon Spools (Deep Green or Burgundy)
- 🔮 Clear Fillable Ornaments (Endless possibilities)
- 🪝 Command Hooks (For damage-free garland hanging)
🎄 My Top 3 Favorites
- Easiest to Set Up: The ‘Cluster’ Garland Hack — Huge impact, minimal effort!
- Most “High-End” Look: The ‘Antique Brass’ Nutcracker Makeover — It looks like heavy metal.
- Best for Kids: Oversized Paper Bag Stars — Fun to make and looks strikingly Scandi.
30 Cheap Christmas Decorations That Look Expensive
1. The ‘Antique Brass’ Nutcracker Makeover ❄️
Take those bright, cheap plastic nutcrackers from the dollar store and spray paint them a solid, metallic antique gold. The uniformity removes the “tacky” plastic vibe and makes them look like heavy brass statuettes you’d find at a high-end boutique.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Plastic nutcrackers • Gold spray paint • Old newspaper | Best For: Mantel or Entryway Console Time: 30 Mins (plus drying) Budget: $ |
📸 A sleek row of monochromatic gold nutcrackers standing on a white marble mantel, reflecting warm fairy lights.
🐦 Why I love it: This specific shade creates a believable metal finish that instantly elevates cheap plastic. #NancyApproved
2. The Velvet Ribbon ‘Drape’ Hack ❄️
Instead of buying loads of expensive ornaments, tie varied lengths of high-quality velvet ribbon onto your tree branches. The lush texture screams luxury and fills visual space for the price of a single spool.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Velvet ribbon (1-inch width) • Sharp Scissors | Best For: Christmas Tree Time: 15 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 Close up of a Christmas tree branch featuring a deep burgundy velvet ribbon tied loosely, draped over soft pine needles.
🐦 Why I love it: Velvet adds instant warmth and texture that makes even a sparse tree look full and expensive. #NancyApproved
3. Faux Ceramic ‘Baking Soda’ Ornaments ❄️
Mix baking soda into acrylic paint to give old, shiny plastic ornaments a matte, textured, stoneware look. It creates a Scandi vibe that mimics high-end pottery.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Old ornaments • Baking soda • Acrylic paint (beige/terracotta) • Paint brush | Best For: Tree or Bowl Filler Time: 1 Hour Budget: $ |
📸 A wooden bowl filled with matte, terracotta-colored ornaments that look like textured clay balls.
🐦 Why I love it: This simple pantry ingredient transforms “shiny plastic” into “artisan ceramic” in seconds. #NancyApproved
4. The ‘Designer Dupe’ Jute Bells ❄️
Spray paint cheap plastic bells gold, then rub dark wax over them for patina. Hang them with thick jute rope for a rustic-luxe farmhouse look that rivals Pottery Barn.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Large plastic bells • Gold spray paint • Dark wax or shoe polish • Jute rope | Best For: Front Door or Staircase Time: 45 Mins Budget: $$ |
📸 A cluster of oversized, aged-gold bells hanging from a thick rope on a dark wood door.
🐦 Why I love it: A little dab of this wax adds instant age and character to brand new, shiny items. #NancyApproved
5. DIY Mercury Glass Votives ❄️
Use mirror-effect spray paint and a water spritz technique on plain dollar store glass vases. The water droplets resist the paint, creating a shimmering, vintage mercury glass effect.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Glass vases/votives • Mirror Effect spray paint • Spray bottle with water | Best For: Dining Table Centerpiece Time: 30 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 Three glowing votive candle holders with a silver, speckled mercury glass finish on a festive table runner.
🐦 Why I love it: This creates that high-end reflective look for a fraction of the cost of real mercury glass. #NancyApproved
🎅 Quick Question!
White lights or Multi-colored lights? Tell me in the comments!
6. Foraged Winter Branch Statement ❄️
Clip a large, bare branch from the yard and anchor it in a heavy vase. Hang a few minimalist ornaments for a sculptural, architectural look that costs absolutely nothing.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Large branch (Oak/Maple) • Sturdy vase • Rocks (for weight) | Best For: Kitchen Island or Entryway Time: 20 Mins Budget: Free |
📸 A tall, sculptural branch in a clear vase on a kitchen island, adorned with three simple gold baubles.
🐦 Why I love it: A sturdy vase is essential here so your beautiful branch doesn’t tip over! #NancyApproved
7. Rub ‘n Buff Thrifted Frames ❄️
Take mismatched thrift store frames and apply Rub ‘n Buff in ‘Gold Leaf’ to create a cohesive gallery of “vintage gold” frames. It’s perfect for displaying free festive art prints.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Thrifted frames • Rub ‘n Buff • Soft cloth | Best For: Mantel or Hallway Wall Time: 10 Mins per frame Budget: $ |
📸 A layered arrangement of gold frames on a mantel, each holding a different black and white winter photo.
🐦 Why I love it: One tiny tube covers dozens of frames and dries in seconds—a total DIY game changer. #NancyApproved
8. Oversized Paper Bag Stars ❄️
Glue lunch bags together and cut patterns to create massive, stunning 3D paper stars. They look incredibly Scandi and expensive, but they are just paper!
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Brown or white lunch bags • Hot glue gun • Scissors • Fishing line | Best For: Windows or Dining Table Time: 15 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A large, intricate white paper star suspended in a window, backlit by natural sunlight.
🐦 Why I love it: You can make a huge statement piece for literally pennies per bag. #NancyApproved
9. The ‘Cluster’ Garland Hack ❄️
Thread dozens of cheap shatterproof ornaments onto a wire to create a thick, lush garland. It mimics the maximalist professional installations you see in department stores.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Bulk ornament tube • Heavy gauge wire or fishing line | Best For: Doorway Arch or Mantel Time: 45 Mins Budget: $$ |
📸 A luscious, thick garland of silver and gold ornaments draping heavily over a fireplace mantel.
🐦 Why I love it: Buying in bulk lets you create volume that looks incredibly expensive and high-end. #NancyApproved
10. Gold-Dipped Feather Ornaments ❄️
Take white craft feathers and spray paint just the tips gold (or dip in liquid gold paint). These add a delicate, airy, and Boho Luxe softness to your tree.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • White craft feathers • Gold metallic paint • Thin ribbon | Best For: Tree or Gift Toppers Time: 20 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A macro shot of a white feather with a shimmering gold tip hanging delicately from a pine branch.
🐦 Why I love it: These add movement and softness to the tree that rigid plastic ornaments just can’t match. #NancyApproved
11. Dried Orange & Cinnamon Scent Scape ❄️
Slice and dry oranges in the oven and pair with cinnamon sticks. It adds natural color, texture, and an expensive home-fragrance scent for practically zero cost.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Navel oranges • Cinnamon sticks • Twine | Best For: Tree Garland or Wreath Time: 3-4 Hours (Baking) Budget: $ |
📸 A rustic garland of dried orange slices and bundled cinnamon sticks strung on twine against a green tree.
🐦 Why I love it: It smells like Christmas morning and adds that beautiful, organic pop of color. #NancyApproved
12. The Monochrome Kraft Paper Gift Wrap ❄️
Use cheap brown kraft paper for all gifts, but elevate it with expensive-looking satin or velvet ribbon in a single color (like emerald green). It creates a chic, uniform look under the tree.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Roll of kraft paper • Double-sided tape • Luxury ribbon | Best For: Under the Tree Time: Varies Budget: $ |
📸 A stack of gifts wrapped in simple brown paper, tied with luxurious, wide emerald green velvet bows.
🐦 Why I love it: This roll lasts forever and lets you change your color theme just by swapping the ribbon. #NancyApproved
13. Faux Fur Tree Skirt Hack ❄️
Instead of buying a $100 tree skirt, buy a yard of faux fur fabric from a craft store (or Amazon) and drape it around the base. No sewing required—just tuck the edges under!
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • 1-2 yards faux fur fabric | Best For: Base of Christmas Tree Time: 5 Mins Budget: $$ |
📸 The base of a Christmas tree nestled into a fluffy, white faux fur “snow drift” blanket.
🐦 Why I love it: It looks exactly like the high-end retailer skirts but costs half the price. #NancyApproved
14. Spray Painted ‘Bronze’ Reindeer ❄️
Look for plastic reindeer figurines (even bright colored ones). Spray with Oil Rubbed Bronze paint for a heavy, cast-iron aesthetic that adds visual weight to bookshelves.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Plastic toys/figurines • Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint | Best For: Bookshelf Decor Time: 30 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A stately, dark bronze reindeer figurine standing on a stack of vintage books.
🐦 Why I love it: This color has a slight texture that mimics cast iron perfectly. #NancyApproved
15. Floating Candle Cranberry Vases ❄️
Fill clear glass cylinders with water, fresh cranberries, and rosemary sprigs, topped with a floating candle. It’s a classic Williams-Sonoma catalog look for cheap.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Glass cylinder vases • Fresh cranberries • Rosemary • Floating candles | Best For: Dining Centerpiece Time: 10 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 Three glass vases filled with water and red berries, glowing warmly with floating candles on top.
🐦 Why I love it: Such a simple way to add “fire and ice” elements to your table setting. #NancyApproved
16. The Minimalist Gold Hoop Wreath ❄️
Use a simple gold embroidery hoop, attach a small cluster of faux greenery and a bell to one side. The negative space makes it look Modern and expensive.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Embroidery hoop (painted gold) • Floral wire • Eucalyptus stem | Best For: Interior Doors or Wall Art Time: 20 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A simple gold metal hoop with a tasteful sprig of eucalyptus and a gold bell attached to the bottom.
🐦 Why I love it: These are lightweight and perfect for hanging on windows or mirrors with suction cups. #NancyApproved
17. Snowy Epsom Salt Mason Jars ❄️
Coat mason jars in Mod Podge and roll in Epsom salts for a “frosted snow” look. Add a tealight inside for a magical, icy winter glow on your mantel.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Mason jars • Mod Podge • Epsom salts • Tea lights | Best For: Walkway lining or Mantel Time: 30 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A row of frosty white jars glowing from within, sitting on a wooden surface.
🐦 Why I love it: A crafting staple that holds the “snow” perfectly in place. #NancyApproved
18. Champagne Tower Ornament Bowl ❄️
Fill a large glass bowl or trifle dish entirely with single-color shiny ornaments (e.g., all silver or all champagne gold). It creates a high-impact, glam centerpiece.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Large glass bowl/trifle dish • Tube of small shatterproof ornaments | Best For: Coffee Table Time: 2 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A clear glass trifle dish overflowing with shiny champagne-gold baubles.
🐦 Why I love it: The easiest centerpiece ever—just pour and go! #NancyApproved
19. DIY Chinoiserie Ornaments ❄️
Use blue and white paper napkins and decoupage them onto cheap white ornaments for a hand-painted porcelain look. This is perfect for a Grandmillennial theme.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • White ornaments • Patterned napkins • Mod Podge • Brush | Best For: Tree Time: 1 Hour Budget: $ |
📸 A delicate blue and white patterned ornament hanging on a tree, looking like fine china.
🐦 Why I love it: You can get dozens of designs from one pack of napkins. #NancyApproved
20. The ‘Anthropologie’ Wool Pom Garland ❄️
Make your own thick, fluffy yarn pom-poms (or buy bulk felt balls) and string them. It’s colorful, whimsical, and much cheaper than the boutique version.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Yarn (various colors) • Cardboard pom-maker • String | Best For: Kids Room or Tree Time: 1 Hour Budget: $ |
📸 A playful garland of white, red, and pink yarn pom-poms draped across a headboard.
🐦 Why I love it: This tool makes perfectly round poms in half the time of using cardboard. #NancyApproved
21. Metallic Leaf Wreath Hack ❄️
Take a cheap dollar store leaf wreath and spray paint the entire thing metallic gold or copper. It instantly unifies the cheap plastic leaves into a metal sculpture look.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Cheap leaf wreath • Metallic spray paint | Best For: Front Door Time: 15 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A solid gold wreath on a dark door, shining metallically in the porch light.
🐦 Why I love it: Copper is a trendy alternative to gold that looks stunning against dark wood. #NancyApproved
22. Printable Vintage Art Swap ❄️
Purchase a cheap digital download of vintage winter landscape art, print it, and swap out your everyday photos. It brings a Dark Academia vibe to your gallery wall.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Digital art file • Printer • Existing frames | Best For: Living Room Gallery Wall Time: 15 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A living room wall where family photos have been replaced with moody, vintage winter landscape prints.
🐦 Why I love it: Matte paper eliminates glare and makes the “painting” look authentic. #NancyApproved
23. Scented Pinecone Bowl ❄️
Collect pinecones (free!), bake them to kill bugs, and scent them with cinnamon essential oil. Display in a wooden bowl for rustic texture and smell.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Foraged pinecones • Essential oils • Wooden bowl | Best For: Entryway Table Time: 30 Mins Budget: Free/$ |
📸 A dough bowl filled with large pinecones, resting on an entryway table.
🐦 Why I love it: A few drops go a long way in making your whole home smell like the holidays. #NancyApproved
24. Faux Brass Candlesticks (Glass Hack) ❄️
Take mismatched glass candlestick holders from the thrift store and spray paint them with “Champagne Mist” or “Gilded Brass.” They mimic expensive heavy metal holders perfectly.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Glass candlesticks • Metallic spray paint | Best For: Dining Table Time: 20 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A cluster of “brass” candlesticks with tall white tapers, creating a romantic dining atmosphere.
🐦 Why I love it: This color is soft and elegant, avoiding that harsh, fake yellow-gold look. #NancyApproved
25. Oversized Bow Tree Topper ❄️
Skip the expensive star. Create a massive, trailing bow using wide, wired ribbon. It flows down the tree and looks professional and classic.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • 2 rolls of wide wired ribbon • Floral wire | Best For: Top of Tree Time: 15 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A Christmas tree topped with a massive, structured red bow with long tails cascading down the branches.
🐦 Why I love it: Wired ribbon is forgiving—you can reshape it year after year. #NancyApproved
26. Coffee Filter Snowflakes ❄️
While paper snowflakes can look childish, using coffee filters creates a translucent, delicate, almost lace-like quality when hung in windows.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • White coffee filters • Scissors • Invisible tape | Best For: Kitchen Windows Time: 30 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A kitchen window covered in varying sizes of delicate, translucent white snowflakes.
🐦 Why I love it: The thin paper lets light filter through beautifully, unlike heavy construction paper. #NancyApproved
27. Simmer Pot Gift Jars ❄️
Fill small jars with dried citrus, cloves, and bay leaves. It serves as decor on open shelving and doubles as a thoughtful hostess gift.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Small jars • Dried spices/fruit • Printable tag | Best For: Kitchen Shelves Time: 20 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A cute mason jar filled with colorful dried spices and orange slices, tied with a red ribbon.
🐦 Why I love it: These are the perfect size for gifting and look adorable lined up on a shelf. #NancyApproved
28. The ‘Winter Wonderland’ Flocked Branch ❄️
Use spray adhesive and flocking powder (or even shaving cream/glue mix) on foraged branches to create a high-end snowy look.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Branches • Spray adhesive • Fake snow powder | Best For: Tall Vase in Corner Time: 30 Mins Budget: $ |
📸 A tall, snow-covered branch standing in a corner, looking like it was brought in from a blizzard.
🐦 Why I love it: This stuff is the real deal—it’s what tree farms use for that thick, professional snow look. #NancyApproved
29. Apothecary Jar Candy Display ❄️
Use glass apothecary jars to display holiday candy, but stick to a strict color palette (e.g., only red and white peppermints) for a cohesive look.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Glass jars with lids • Bulk color-coordinated candy | Best For: Kitchen Counter or Buffet Time: 5 Mins Budget: $$ |
📸 Three glass jars of different shapes filled with red and white peppermints and candy canes.
🐦 Why I love it: These are timeless decor pieces you can refill with seashells in summer or pumpkins in fall. #NancyApproved
30. Window Wreaths with Red Ribbon ❄️
Hang small, simple green wreaths in every window using a long red ribbon held by a tension rod or tack. High curb appeal for low cost.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Small artificial wreaths • Red satin ribbon • Tension rods | Best For: Interior Windows Time: 1 Hour Budget: $$ |
📸 An interior view of three living room windows, each with a small green wreath hanging from a red ribbon.
🐦 Why I love it: Simple, classic, and reusable forever. Instant “Colonial Christmas” charm. #NancyApproved
Creating a home that feels magical and luxurious doesn’t require a designer budget—just a little creativity and the right shade of gold spray paint. I hope these ideas prove that you really can have that “Pinterest Perfect” holiday on a real-life budget.
Which of these budget-friendly hacks are you going to try this weekend? Tell me in the comments—I’d love to see your DIY wins!
Don’t forget to pin this list to your ‘Christmas Decor on a Budget’ board so you can find these ideas when you’re ready to start crafting! 📌
