If there’s no decorating money left after groceries and bills, cut stars from old paper bags and string them across the window. You can make cheap DIY Christmas decorations with things already sitting in a drawer, and the results can be charming without a trip to the craft store.
Table of contents
- Start with a ten-minute sweep of the house
- Paper decorations that cost nearly nothing
- Fabric and ribbon decorations made from scraps
- Jars, containers and odd little household pieces
- Natural decorations that can be reused or composted
- Two ways to reuse the holiday bits already in storage
- How much could a no-new-supplies decorating afternoon cost?
- Questions that come up when you’re using free supplies
- Pick one wall, window or shelf
The best projects here use paper, fabric scraps, jars and a few bits of greenery. Most cost nothing if you have scissors, tape and string. I’ll flag the ones that need glue, paint or other supplies, so you can skip them when your budget is actually zero.
Start with a ten-minute sweep of the house
Put yesterday’s gift bags, empty cereal boxes, unused fabric, string and clean jars on the table. Pull out last year’s decorations too, even if a few are broken. An old ribbon can become hanging loops for a dozen paper ornaments.
Choose one place to decorate first, perhaps a window or the small table near the door. Make pieces that fit that spot before committing to an entire living room. You can stop after one afternoon and still have something finished.
| What you already have | What you could make | Extra cost |
|---|---|---|
| Paper grocery bags | Stars and gift tags | $0 |
| Cereal boxes | House silhouettes or a garland | $0 |
| Fabric offcuts | Bunting and bows | $0 |
| Old jars | Flameless lanterns or vases | $0 if an LED light is already owned |
| Spare ribbon | Tree loops and chair ties | $0 |
Paper decorations that cost nearly nothing
1. Grocery-bag stars
Flatten a clean brown grocery bag, draw a five-point star and cut two matching shapes. Fold a crease from each tip toward the center for a little dimension, then tape the two layers together around a loop of string. Make three sizes and hang them at different heights. Brown paper looks surprisingly good against a white wall, especially if the stars aren’t all perfectly identical.
2. Snowflakes from junk mail
Use the blank backs of envelopes, letters or leftover printer paper. Fold into quarters, cut small shapes along the folded edges, and open carefully. Tape them to the window rather than stringing them through the room where they’ll bend. Keep the cuts large enough for younger kids to manage safely with blunt scissors.
3. Cereal-box Christmas trees
Open an empty cereal box and draw a tall triangle with a small trunk. Cut two identical pieces and make a slit halfway up one and halfway down the other. Slide them together so they stand upright. Use the plain cardboard side out or cover it with green scraps. A row of three sizes makes an easy mantel village without any paint.
4. Old-book page chains
If you have a damaged paperback beyond repair, cut its pages into strips and glue or tape them into a paper chain. Alternate with brown paper strips for contrast. Hang it from shelf to shelf, away from lights that produce heat. Don’t cut up a good book you could borrow, donate or reread just for one decoration.
5. Folded paper rosettes
Accordion-fold two strips of used wrapping paper, tape the ends into half-circles, then join them into one rosette. Use a few at different sizes above a doorway. The wider the strip, the larger the rosette; start with a small sample to see how much tape it needs. The printed side of an old gift bag works well too.
6. Cardboard gingerbread houses
Cut simple house fronts from thin packaging cardboard and draw white windows and doors using a leftover marker. Leave out the roof and elaborate construction if you want an easy project: the flat shapes can stand against books on a shelf. Set a battery-operated light behind the row only if it is designed to be used near paper.
7. String of paper gift tags
Cut rectangles from scrap cardstock, fold over the top edge and make a little hole for string. Write a winter word, a family name or one kind thing you appreciate about each person. Clip the tags to yarn with clothespins you own, or tie them with simple knots. This works especially well near the kitchen where everyone will see the notes.
8. Toilet-roll snowflakes
Flatten empty cardboard tubes, cut them into equal-width rings and arrange the loops in a snowflake shape. Glue the touching ends and let the whole piece dry flat before hanging it. Paint is optional; the natural cardboard looks fine against greenery. Use a small amount of glue, because wet cardboard bends quickly.
Fabric and ribbon decorations made from scraps
9. Scrap-fabric tree bows
Cut cotton fabric into long strips and tie simple bows around a few tree branches. Keep the tails short so they don’t cover the ornaments. Plaid shirts, worn pillowcases and fabric leftovers all work once washed and dried. If the fabric frays, that’s fine for a casual look, but use pinking shears if you have them.
10. T-shirt yarn garland
Cut a worn cotton T-shirt into narrow strips and stretch each strip gently until it curls. Tie them end to end to make a soft garland for a shelf or tabletop tree. This is best for adults to prep, because cutting fabric takes sharp scissors. Choose one or two shirt colors so the result doesn’t feel like a laundry pile.
11. Reusable fabric bunting
Cut triangles from leftover cotton, then fold the top edge around string and stitch or glue it in place. Make a short length that fits one mantel instead of a 20-foot strand. A stitched version can go into the holiday box and come out next year. The fabric needn’t match perfectly if the colors work together.
12. Ribbon loops for old ornaments
A surprising number of tree ornaments look better with their flimsy wire hangers replaced. Cut the last of a satin ribbon roll into equal lengths and tie a loop to each ornament. Even mismatched pieces look more intentional when they hang the same way. Set aside anything cracked or sharp rather than trying to repair it with tape.
13. Mini stockings from worn sweaters
Cut two small stocking shapes from a sweater that’s too damaged to wear, then stitch around the edges with the inside facing out. Turn it right-side out and add a yarn loop. These are decorations for the tree, not gift holders for heavy treats. A thick sweater will need a sturdy needle and a little patience.
14. A scarf around the base of a tabletop tree
Fold an old scarf and tuck it loosely around the stand of a small artificial tree. It hides the plastic legs and adds a soft texture. Keep it away from any electrical connections or hot lights, and leave room for the tree to stand securely. This takes about thirty seconds if you already own the scarf.
Jars, containers and odd little household pieces
15. Empty-jar LED lanterns
Wash a food jar, remove the label and place an LED tealight inside. Add a strip of ribbon around the neck or a little paper star on the outside. Never put a real candle in a jar lined with paper or fabric. The U.S. Fire Administration’s holiday advice is worth reading before decorating with any flame.
16. Tin-can greenery vase
Peel the label off a clean food can and tuck a few pine branches inside. Cover sharp edges with tape or a folded fabric strip, and add a little water only if you’re using real greenery and the container doesn’t leak. A small grouping of two cans looks good on a porch step. Use faux stems indoors if you don’t want to watch for drying needles.
17. Mason-jar snow scene
Put a handful of dry cotton balls or a thin layer of faux snow in a jar, add a small cardboard house and close the lid loosely for a decorative scene. Skip water and glitter. It can sit on a bookshelf all December and takes a few minutes to refresh after storage.
18. Glass-bottle branch display
A clean bottle can hold one tall bare branch with handmade paper stars hanging from it. Choose a branch that’s light and balanced so the bottle won’t tip. Add sand or small stones if you already have them, and keep the display out of narrow walking paths. The sparse look works well when you have very little decorating material.
19. Wrapped cereal-box risers
Wrap two empty boxes with the plain side of brown paper and stack them under a runner or cloth on a shelf. Put a lightweight ornament bowl or paper village on top. Use sturdy boxes only, and don’t place anything breakable on a tall, wobbly stack. This lets you give inexpensive decorations height without buying display stands.
Natural decorations that can be reused or composted
20. Pinecone bowl
Collect fallen pinecones where it’s permitted, brush off the dirt and let them dry completely. Put a few in a bowl already on your table. A little ribbon tied around the bowl is enough. Keep them dry and store them in a paper bag rather than plastic if there’s any lingering moisture.
21. Rosemary or evergreen napkin sprigs
Cut a small sprig from a plant you own and tuck it into a folded napkin. For a meal, keep the greenery on the outside of the napkin and remove it before eating. Don’t use plants you can’t identify. These little touches are easy to make for the exact number of guests you expect, so there’s no leftover pile of place decorations.
22. Dried citrus slices for a garland
Slice an orange thinly, dry the slices completely with a dehydrator or in a low oven, then thread them with string. This project takes longer than paper crafts and uses electricity, so it isn’t my first pick for a zero-cash budget. Make one short strand with fruit that needs using rather than buying a bag of oranges just for decor.
23. Tiny twig stars
Collect five straight twigs of similar length, tie their ends with string into a star outline and add a hanging loop. Dry the twigs first and check for bugs. They can hang from a branch or tree, but skip them if they’ll be handled by very young kids. A short set of three is enough to decorate a window.
Two ways to reuse the holiday bits already in storage
24. Make a broken-ornament picture frame
Take the intact shapes from ornaments that have lost their hooks and glue them around the outside of an old photo frame. Leave the middle clear for a family picture or a piece of wrapping paper. Avoid shards of glass and cracked edges. Small plastic ornaments are much easier to handle here than brittle ones.
25. Turn leftover Christmas cards into a door garland
Cut winter scenes or patterns from cards you’ve received, punch a small hole in each one and thread them onto string. Hang the garland on an interior door or over a bookcase. This makes use of cards that would otherwise sit in a box for years. Save the messages that matter to you before cutting anything apart.
How much could a no-new-supplies decorating afternoon cost?
If you have paper bags, a cereal box, string, old ribbon and scissors, the paper stars, cardboard village and simple garland can cost $0. Buying an extra glue stick or tape roll changes the total, so start with the tools already in your drawer.
If you’ve got five dollars to use, buy one small pack of battery-operated LED tealights only if you can find a set that fits the amount. Use clean jars as lanterns and make paper decorations for everything else. Dollar Tree now carries several price points, so check the shelf price and compare before paying.
Set up a little drying area if you’re using glue or paint. Pieces that look finished after ten minutes can still stick together when stacked. Store the reusable ones flat between sheets of paper in January so you aren’t starting over next year.
Questions that come up when you’re using free supplies
Can I make Christmas decorations without a glue gun?
Yes. Paper loops can be taped, twig stars can be tied and fabric bunting can be stitched or knotted. A glue gun makes some projects faster, but it isn’t a reason to spend money when the alternative holds just fine.
Which of these are easiest with kids?
Paper snowflakes, gift tags and simple cereal-box trees work well with adult help and age-appropriate scissors. Keep small beads, sharp tools and hot glue for adults. Let kids choose colors and arrange finished pieces, which is often the part they enjoy most.
Where can I get materials for free?
Start at home, then ask family members whether they have leftover ribbon, fabric or gift bags. Buy Nothing groups may have free supplies locally, but availability varies. Borrowing a tool for one afternoon can save more than hunting for a deeply discounted one.
Pick one wall, window or shelf
Make three matching decorations with paper or scraps this evening. Hang them together and see how the room feels before making more. If the first small spot looks good, repeat the colors somewhere else using what’s left.
For more ways to make the season affordable, see our useful DIY Christmas gifts and Christmas on a budget guide.
