Christmas Decorating Without Buying More Stuff

Before buying decorations, open the boxes you already own.

That’s our Day 22 Christmas in July Challenge task, and it is one of the easiest ways to save money before December even gets close.

Christmas decorating can be such a lovely part of the season. The lights, the tree, the special ornaments, the candles, the wreath, the table setting, the little touches that make the house feel warm and festive — they all help create that Christmas feeling.

But decorations can also become one of those sneaky Christmas budget leaks.

A new packet of baubles here.
A pretty ribbon there.
A fresh wreath.
A new table runner.
A few extra lights.
Some special candles.
A little “just because it’s Christmas” decoration that somehow jumps into the trolley.

And before you know it, you’ve spent money on things you may not even need.

So today, we are decorating with what we have.

Very Cheapskates. Very sensible. And often, very beautiful.

Start with the Decoration Boxes
Before you buy one new decoration, open the boxes, tubs, bags and “safe places” where your Christmas things live.

You may be surprised by what is already there.

Check for:

• Baubles
• Tree decorations
• Tinsel
• Lights
• Wreaths
• Garlands
• Table decorations
• Candles
• Candle holders
• Ribbon
• Gift wrap
• Gift tags
• Nativity pieces
• Stockings
• Outdoor decorations
• Christmas linens
• Christmas mugs or plates
• Baskets, jars or bowls that can be used for decorating

The aim today is not to decorate the house in July.

Unless you want to, of course. No judgement here.

The aim is to know what you already own before the shops start telling you what you “need.”

Christmas Decorations Hide

Christmas decorations are very good at hiding.

One tub in the garage.
A wreath in the wardrobe.
Gift bags in the spare room.
Ribbon in the craft cupboard.
Candles in the linen cupboard.
Outdoor lights in the shed.
A packet of hooks in a drawer.
The “good” ornaments in a box that was put somewhere safe.

And we all know how safe places behave.

When you do a decoration inventory now, you stop buying doubles later.

You might discover you already have enough red baubles, plenty of ribbon, three table centrepiece options, unopened candles, spare lights, gift tags, or a wreath that only needs a little refresh.

That is money you don’t need to spend in December.

Choose a Colour Theme from What You Have
This is one of my favourite budget decorating tricks.

Instead of choosing a new theme and buying decorations to match it, choose a theme from what you already own.

Look at your decorations and see what colours you have most of.

Maybe you already have:

• Red and gold
• Green and cream
• Silver and white
• Natural timber and greenery
• Red, white and gingham
• Gold and candles
• Rustic kraft paper and twine
• Traditional red, green and gold
• Pastels and soft metallics

Once you choose a colour theme from what is already in the boxes, everything looks more intentional.

You don’t need everything to match perfectly. You just need enough of a loose theme to make it feel pulled together.

A few repeated colours can make old decorations feel fresh again.

Repair, Reuse and Refresh
Before buying replacements, check what can be repaired or refreshed.

Can the wreath be fluffed and re-tied with ribbon?
Can a bauble be glued?
Can old ribbon be ironed or re-used?
Can a garland be freshened with pinecones, fabric scraps or greenery?
Can a tired table centrepiece be changed with candles or jars?
Can old ornaments be grouped in a bowl or vase?
Can gift wrap scraps become tags?
Can a string of lights be checked and used again?
Can decorations from one room be moved to another for a new look?

Sometimes a decoration doesn’t need replacing. It just needs to be used differently.

Old baubles in a glass bowl can look lovely.
Pinecones in a basket feel Christmassy.
A candle in a jar with ribbon around it becomes a simple table decoration.
A wreath can be refreshed with ribbon from the wrapping box.
A plain garland can be dressed with leftover ornaments.

Use what you have, but use it with fresh eyes.

Shop Your House
Decorating with what you have doesn’t only mean using Christmas decorations; shop your house too.

Look for:

• Jars
• Bowls
• Baskets
• Trays
• Candles
• Tablecloths
• Napkins
• Tea towels
• Ribbon
• Fabric scraps
• Brown paper
• Twine
• Books
• Old cards
• Pinecones
• Vases
• Fairy lights
• Plates or cake stands
• Plain boxes to wrap as display gifts

A pretty bowl filled with baubles can be a centrepiece.

A jar with greenery and a candle can sit on the table.

A tray with candles, pinecones and ribbon can look beautiful on a sideboard.

A basket of wrapped books can look like Christmas parcels under the tree.

Simple things, grouped nicely, can feel very festive.

Use Natural Decorations
Natural decorations can be beautiful and low-cost, especially when you use what is already around you.

Depending on what you have available, you might use:

• Pinecones
• Gum leaves
• Rosemary
• Bay leaves
• Ivy
• Small branches
• Dried orange slices
• Cinnamon sticks
• Dried herbs
• Seed pods
• Garden greenery
• Flowers from the garden
• Small potted herbs
• Twigs tied with ribbon

Natural decorations suit a Cheapskates Christmas beautifully because they are simple, warm and easy to refresh.

Just be sensible with anything brought inside. Watch for bugs, sap, allergies, pets and little children. And never place greenery too close to candles or heat.

Don’t Buy a Whole New Look
This is where Christmas decorating gets expensive.

Every year the shops have a new look.
New colours.
New themes.
New ornaments.
New tableware.
New stockings.
New lights.
New everything.

And it can be very tempting.

But you do not need to buy a whole new Christmas look every year.

You can enjoy looking at the displays without bringing them home.

You can admire the beautiful table setting and still use your own plates.

You can like the new colour trend and still decorate with red and gold because that is what you already have.

Christmas does not become more meaningful because the baubles are new.

Often, the old decorations are the ones with the memories.

Keep the Decorations That Matter
As you do your inventory, notice what still makes you smile.

Maybe it’s a handmade ornament from a child or grandchild.

• A decoration from your first Christmas in a home.
• A bauble that belonged to someone special.
• A nativity set you bring out every year.
• A wreath you made.
• A stocking that has seen better days but still belongs.
• A slightly wonky decoration that carries a story.

These things matter.

Budget decorating does not mean stripping away the warmth and memories. It means keeping what matters and not spending money on things that don’t.

Let Go of What No Longer Works
A decoration inventory is also a good time to be honest.

If something is broken beyond repair, let it go.

If lights no longer work and can’t be fixed safely, remove them.

If decorations don’t suit your home, your style or your life anymore, consider donating them while there is still time for someone else to use them.

If you have too much, simplify.

Keeping decorations you don’t like, don’t use and don’t want does not save money. It just takes up space.

The goal is not more decorations.

The goal is a calm, lovely Christmas using what you have and love.

Make a Short “Only If Needed” List
After you’ve checked everything, make a very short list of anything genuinely needed.

Not wanted. Needed.

For example:

• Replacement light bulbs
• Hooks
• Batteries
• One roll of ribbon
• Candle refills
• Tape
• One missing tree stand part
• A safe extension lead
• Gift tags, if none are left

This list becomes your boundary.

If it isn’t on the list, think very carefully before buying it.

And if you can borrow, repair, make or substitute instead, even better.

Today’s Simple Task
Today’s simple task is to do a Christmas decoration inventory.

Open your decoration boxes and write down what you already have.

Use these headings:

• Tree decorations:
• Lights:
• Table decorations:
• Wreaths and garlands:
• Ribbon, wrap and tags:
• Candles and holders:
• Things to repair:
• Things to donate or pass on:
• Things we genuinely need:

Then choose one colour theme or decorating style from what you already own.

A Gentle Thought for Today
Christmas decorating does not need to be new to be beautiful.

The decorations you already own can still make your home feel warm, welcoming and festive.

A little repair, a little ribbon, a fresh grouping, a bowl of baubles, a wreath refreshed from the garden, candles on the table, lights checked early — these simple things can create a lovely Christmas feeling without a budget blowout.

Before buying decorations, open the boxes you already own.

You may find Christmas is already waiting there.

Coming Tomorrow
Tomorrow we’ll look at wrapping Christmas gifts without spending a fortune — because wrapping can be pretty, useful and budget-friendly when we use what we have first.

Member Prompt

Write this in your Christmas notebook today:

Decorations I already have:

This year’s colour theme from what I own:

Decorations I can repair or refresh:

Things I do not need to buy:

Anything genuinely needed: