How to Decorate for Christmas on a Shoestring Budget

How many of you would love to do some decorating for the holidays. But your budget says you can’t. I’m not making fun of those on tight budgets. I’ve been there.

It’s easy to allow a bump in the road to dampen our mood and cause us to have a negative outlook. I’ve been there too. However, I’ve learned that what we go through is just moments in time. And eventually, our current situation/circumstance will pass. I hope what I just said made you feel better.

Now that I have your attention! If I could show you how to create an incredible space with little money, a dose of creativity, and lots of love, would you be interested? I heard you say yes. Be of good cheer, Zsa Zsa is here to help!

Are you stoked? Hopefully, you are. However, before we get to the good stuff, I have to share the story of how this, decorating on shoestring budget transpired.

Several years ago, our daughter made plans to spend Christmas with us. And I was super excited because my granddaughter was coming.

After our phone chat, I knew I wanted to create a fun and festive environment. I also knew that ye ole finances were on life support. So, I had to keep costs at a minimum. However, I wasn’t going to let that stop me.

I took inventory of my existing decorations, which included a white Christmas tree. You know the 6- foot one that needs tons of ornaments. The only good thing about this tree, it was pre-lit. I also had a wreath in good condition and several repurposed gift bags and boxes that I could use.

I concocted a plan, then set a $30 budget for Christmas décor and supplies. Lastly, I headed to the Dollar Tree for inspiration. Our granddaughter loves to play under the staircase when she visits. So, I thought the foyer would be the ideal setting to make a magical place for her. Did I mention her birthday is in December? Are you ready for the reveal?

Isn’t this space adorable? It’s just how I envisioned it, but better. It was colorful, fun, magical, and kid-approved. And it was super simple to create.

I strategically placed the fairy wings around the tree. Afterward, I filled in the existing gaps with tissue paper. I also used gift bags with yellow tissue paper to fill the space from the floor to the underside of the tree. Tissue paper also fills the spaces between the boxes and the bags. Not too shabby, huh? Be sure to read the entire post to find out the total cost of the transformation.

Honestly, the pictures don’t do this tree any justice. We struggled to capture the beauty of the tree. We took like a gazillion pictures. Where are Better Homes and Gardens when you need them? Lol!

I used the same technique for the garland as I did on the tree. I took the tissue paper and pinched it in the center. Then I ran my hand up the entire sheet of paper. By doing so, it gave the tissue paper a crinkled look. Lastly, I taped the pinched ends of the tissue paper to the stair rail. I kept doing this until the tissue paper garland was complete.

I carried the theme to the console by adding, you guessed it, more tissue paper in the seashell!. The silver box was used to give the arrangement some sparkle and pizzazz.

The mirror received wings and a tad of tissue paper also. They add a touch of whimsy to the mirror.

The foyer chair was gussied up with a white pillow, a purple and fuchsia bow, a white fluffy throw, and a fairy wing, of course.

I added the lanterns because the texture and colors work perfectly, with the décor. On Christmas Eve, I will add the rest of the candles and light the lanterns.

You guessed it, more tissue paper. I used the same technique on the wreath with smaller pieces of paper.

I used the packaging from the tissue paper to cover the base/pole of the tree.

The gift bags filled with tissue paper served two purposes. First, they ground the tree. Secondly, the bags keep the eyes focused on the pretty stuff and not the mechanics.

I promised earlier that I would share the total cost of this project with you. So without any further ado, the total to decorate this space was a meager $22.47 tax included. I used fourteen fairy wings and seven packages of tissue paper. Did I mention, I used every single sheet of tissue paper? 

I am so glad I didn’t allow a tight budget to deter me from creating this enchanted space. Our grandbaby loved it. Isn’t it amazing what you can accomplish with little money, tons of creativity, and lots of love?

I hope this post inspired you to get creative and make the most of what you have.

I would love to hear your story.

Chat soon,

Zsa Zsa