If you’re searching for easy holiday décor ideas, cheap Christmas decorations, or ways to make your home feel warm and festive without spending a fortune…you’re in the right place! As someone who loves creating beautiful centerpieces and cozy little décor moments around my home, I’ve learned that some of the best DIY holiday décor pieces come from items you already have on hand or inexpensive finds from the dollar store!

Easy & Cheap DIY Holiday Décor Ideas You Can Make at Home

Every year, I decorate my kitchen countertops and dining room table using one of my wooden cutting boards as the base. It sounds simple, but those cutting boards make the perfect foundation for a centerpiece. I style them with candles, mini lanterns, faux red and green flowers, and other festive holiday elements, and y’all, the transformation is instant, and affordable! You can find most of these décor pieces at your local dollar store, craft store, or even tucked away in that “random holiday bin” in your closet!

Whether your vibe is classic red and green Christmas décor, soft pink holiday décor, or a rustic green farmhouse aesthetic, this step-by-step guide will show you how to create beautiful, cheap DIY holiday decorations that feel high-end, without the high price tag!

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: EASY & CHEAP DIY HOLIDAY DÉCOR IDEAS

1. DIY Cutting Board Centerpieces (Kitchen & Dining Room Décor)

Using a wooden cutting board as the base for your centerpiece instantly makes everything look cohesive and intentional. Here’s how to build one:

What You’ll Need

• A wooden cutting board (round, rectangle, or paddle-style)
• Candles (pillar candles, tea lights, or LED candles)
• Mini lanterns
• Faux red and green flowers
• Holiday greenery (real or faux)
• Dollar store décor elements (bells, berries, pinecones, ornaments, etc.)

How to Assemble

1. Start with the cutting board: Place it in the center of your table or on a kitchen counter where you want a pop of holiday cheer.
2. Anchor with height: Add a tall candle, festive plant, or mini lantern first, these create structure and dimension.
3. Layer in greenery: Add in some faux berries, stems, or holiday greenery to create fullness.
4. Add color: Choose flowers or festive elements in red and green or switch it up with pink, gold, or rustic green for a totally different vibe.
5. Fill in the small spaces: Add ornaments, berries, bells, or pinecones to complete the look.
6. Optional sparkle: Wrap a strand of mini twinkle lights around the arrangement for a little glow.

Variations

• Pink Holiday Décor: Swap red flowers for blush, pink, and rose-gold accents. Add a few disco ornaments for a fun, groovy vibe.
• Rustic Green Theme: Stick to sage, olive, and forest green candles and greenery with cinnamon sticks, garland, and orange slices.
• Classic Christmas: Red poinsettias, holly berries, pine sprigs, and traditional ornaments.

These DIY centerpieces are reusable year after year, and easy to switch up for every season!

2. Decorate with Fresh Herbs & Fruit (Affordable, Natural Holiday Décor)

Another inexpensive way to decorate your home for the holidays is by using fresh herbs and vibrant fruit. Not only is this budget friendly, but it adds a natural, fragrant, cozy feel to your home.

Ingredients You Can Use

• Fresh rosemary
• Thyme
• Sage
• Cinnamon sticks
• Whole cloves
• Cranberries
• Oranges
• Lemons
• Apples

Ways to Decorate

Create a Fresh Holiday Centerpiece-Fill a glass vase with oranges, cranberries, and aromatic herbs. Add a few candles or mini pinecones, and you have a stunning, fresh holiday arrangement.

Make a Holiday Simmer Pot-Simmering oranges, cranberries, rosemary, and cinnamon sticks fills your entire home with a warm, festive scent. This also makes a great stovetop decoration for parties or holiday brunches.

Craft a DIY Herb & Fruit Garland-Use twine and a needle to string together cranberries, herbs, and dehydrated oranges for a natural, rustic garland.

3. DIY Dehydrated Orange Garland (A Budget-Friendly Holiday Favorite)

Dehydrated orange garland is one of the most frequently searched DIY holiday décor ideas, and for good reason. It’s beautiful, inexpensive, and smells incredible!

How to Make Dehydrated Oranges

1. Slice oranges into thin ¼-inch rounds.
2. Pat dry with paper towels.
3. Bake on a parchment-lined tray at 200°F for 2.5–3 hours, flipping halfway through.
4. Let cool completely.

Turn Them into Garland

• Thread twine through the center of each slice.
• Add cranberries or wooden beads between slices for extra charm.
• Hang on your mantel, kitchen cabinets, windows, or bookshelves.

Pro Tips

• Add a few sprigs of rosemary or eucalyptus for a fresh, rustic feel.
• Mix with fairy lights for a warm, glowing effect.
• Use leftover slices as gift toppers or ornament accents.

4. Dollar Store Holiday Decorations (Cheap, Chic, Festive!)

The Dollar Tree and Dollar General are my favorite places to find holiday décor essentials, especially when decorating on a budget. You can find things like:

• Faux flowers
• Mini lanterns
• Holiday greenery
• Ornaments
• Candles
• Ribbon
• Berries
• Charger plates
• Mason jars
• Wooden signs
• And more!

What to Look For

• Neutral pieces that can be used across seasons
• Faux stems that look realistic
• Multi-purpose items, like mason jars, that can be reused
• Miniatures, such as small lanterns, nutcrackers, and houses
• Textured items (twine, burlap, wooden accents) for rustic themes

These items mix beautifully with natural elements like herbs, citrus, and cranberries, giving your décor a high-end look on a small budget!

Extra Tips for Easy DIY Holiday Decorations

✔ Keep colors cohesive: Stick to 2–3 colors to keep your décor looking curated.

✔ Shop your own home first: Check to see what you have on hand. Gather bowls, baskets, trays, cutting boards, jars, and candles before buying anything new.

✔ Mix textures for dimension: Combine wood, greenery, metal, glass, and fabric to create intriguing and unique displays.

✔ Use lighting strategically: Warm white lights instantly make anything feel cozy and festive!

✔ Always vary your heights: Mix tall candles, medium lanterns, and low greenery for balanced arrangements.

Creating easy, cheap DIY holiday décor is all about using what you have, adding in a few affordable finds, and letting your creativity lead the way. Remember, your holiday décor doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to feel like you!