100 Cheap & Easy DIY Christmas Decorations

These DIY Christmas decorations are mostly between $5 and $10 and many of the items needed can be found at Dollar Tree, Walmart, or Thrift Stores. Also, most of the DIY Christmas decorations take less than 15 minutes to make!

What you will need to make these DIY Christmas decorations:

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks. A mini glue gun is all you will need. They are about $3 at Walmart and the glue sticks are $1 a pack.
• Mod Podge and foam brush
• Scissors
• Tape
• Paint brush
• Wire cutters for the florals
• Acrylic paint or spray paint – You can get small bottles of acrylic paint for $0.50 at Walmart, but you will probably need a bigger $1 bottle if you are doing multiple projects.

DIY Christmas decorations Included in this post:

• Christmas Candles and Candle Holders
• Christmas Wreaths
• Christmas Home Accents
• Christmas Vases, Bottles and Jars
• Christmas Mini Trees

Candles & Candle Holders

Money Saving Tip #1: If you don’t have any candle holders or trays, you can get smaller ones at Dollar Tree for $1. Larger glass candle holders can be found at Thrift stores like Goodwill for around $3.

Money Saving Tip #2: If you don’t have any candles, Dollar Tree has taper, tea light, votive, pillar, jar and LED candles; only in white and red though. Larger pillar candles can be found at Walmart for $2-$4. Also, IKEA has some pretty seasonal candles for $1-$4.

Large Glass Candle Holder + Small White Pillar Candle (Dollar Tree)
+ Small Pinecones + Fake Snow for Bottom of Candle Holder (Dollar Tree)

After you have collected some pinecones from your backyard,
mix Elmer’s glue and fake snow together and roll pinecones in it. Here’s a step by step tutorial of how to do that.

Candle Tray ($2- Thrift Store) + Peppermints (Dollar Tree)+ Small White Jar Candles (Dollar Tree)

Tall Candle (Dollar Tree) + Burlap Ribbon (Dollar Tree)
+ Twine (Dollar Tree) + Evergreen Branch

Use a glue gun to secure burlap ribbon to candle
Here’s how to preserve evergreen for decorating

Gold Spray Paint + Candle Holders + Candles

Thrift stores have tons of candle holders for less than a couple dollars. You could also get wood ones from craft stores, but it will cost a bit more.
Just spray paint them for a simple, yet festive look!

Glass Candle Holder + Small Pillar Candle (Dollar Tree)
+ Burlap Ribbon (Dollar Tree) + Garland or Real Evergreen Clippings (Dollar Tree) + Twine

Cut garland in small pieces with wire cutters
You can dip the tips of the garland in fake snow or use snow spray
Here’s a tutorial on how to make your own fake snow.
Making your own snow is easy and would cost less than buying it in the bag.

Cinnamon Sticks ($2 at Walmart) + White Acrylic Paint ($0.50 at Walmart)
+ Burlap Ribbon (Dollar Tree) + Twine (Dollar Tree) + Small White Pillar Candle

Glass Candle Holder + Tall White Candle + Evergreen Leaves

Preserve evergreens with this tutorial
Use Mod Podge on the evergreens to glue them onto the candle holder; it will dry clear.

Round Glass Candleholder (Dollar Tree) + White Tealight Candle (Dollar Tree)
+ 1 Holly Berry Bush ($2-$3 at Craft Stores)

Gold Charger (Dollar Tree) + Small Round Ornaments (Dollar Tree)+ Gold Berry Bush + Narrow Red Ribbon (Dollar Tree) + Various Sized White Candles

Wrap the ribbon to the candle and glue in place.

Silver Charger (Dollar Tree) + Small White Pillar Candles (Dollar Tree)
+ Wine Glasses (Dollar Tree)
+ Christmas Village Pieces ($0.74-$2 Walmart) + Sugar

View the tutorial here

Cake Stand ($3 at Thrift Stores) + Small Berry Wreath or Garland ($5 at Craft Store) + Various Sized Candles

Candy Cane Sticks (Dollar Tree) + Tall Red Candle (Walmart – $2)

Use a hot glue gun to glue candy sticks to the candle

Candy Cane Sticks / Peppermints + Red Ribbons + Various Sized Candles and Holders

Round Glass Candleholder (Dollar Tree) + Cranberries + Vanilla Votive Candle (Dollar Tree)

You can use fake or real cranberries.
Tip: If you use fake ones, you can add white glitter to make them look like sparkling cranberries

Mason Jars + Twine + Christmas Picks ($0.98- Walmart) + Fake Snow  + Votive Candles
You can use epson salt or sugar for the snow effect at the bottom of the jars

Silver and Gold Leaves + Glass Hurricane Candle Holder (Dollar Tree) + Votive Candle (Dollar Tree)

Tutorial here

White LED Pillar Candle (Dollar Tree) + Gold Glitter ($1.50 – Walmart) + Glittery Ribbon (Dollar Tree)

Wrap tape around the middle of the candle to make sure you get a straight line of glitter. Mod Podge the bottom half of the candle and sprinkle with glitter. Then remove taped add ribbon.

Fresh Evergreen Leaves + White Pillar Candle (Dollar Tree) + Glass Candle Holder (Dollar Tree)

Preserve evergreen leaves to make them last longer

 Green Candles + Twine (Dollar Tree) +
Berries and Mini Pinecones (Dollar Tree)+ Burlap Ribbon (Dollar Tree)

Cut burlap ribbon into leave shape. Glue berries to burlap leaf and pinecone to twine

Old sweater(or cheap sweater from thrift store) + Various Sized Pillar Candles

Tutorial here

Christmas Ribbons (Dollar Tree) + White Pillar Candles (Walmart – $4 for a 3 pack)

Glue ribbons to candle and voila!

You can get these super cute lanterns at IKEA for $3.99
and add Christmas picks and ribbons for accents

Lantern ($3-5 at Thrift Stores) + Cranberries + White Pillar Candle (Dollar Tree)
+ Ribbon (Dollar Tree) and Pine Leaf

Glass Jar Candle  (Walmart – $2.50) + Twine (Dollar Tree)
+ Christmas Pick ($0.98 – Walmart) + Natural Raffia (Dollar Tree)

Small Round Ornaments (Dollar Tree) + Wine Glasses (Dollar Tree)
+ White Votive Candles (Dollar Tree)  + Mirror Candle Tray (Dollar Tree)

Wine Glass Bottles (Dollar Tree) + White Taper Candles (Dollar Tree)
+ Twine (Dollar Tree) + Pine Twigs

Salad Bowl ($1 Thrift Stores) + Pinecones +
Hurricane Vase ($3 Thrift Stores) + Orange Pillar Candle (Walmart – $3)

Decorative Bowl + Cranberries +
White Tealight Candles (Dollar Tree) + Water

3 Jars + Berry Bush Florals (Dollar Tree) + Candle Tray +
3 Red Pillar Candles (Dollar Tree) + Pebbles (Dollar Tree)

Wreaths

Money Saving Tip: Dollar Tree has Christmas wreath hangers in red, green and gold for $1

Money Saving Tip 2: You can use real pine garlands for the projects that require it if you have a tree in your backyard or if you can get Christmas Tree shops to give you free branches. Check out this article to learn how to preserve evergreens

Candy Canes+ Snowflake Ornament (Dollar Tree) + Red Ribbon (Dollar Tree)

Glue the candy canes together, facing opposite directions
then add the snowflake ornament to the center

Packs of Snowflakes (Dollar Tree) + Red Ribbon (Dollar Tree)

Foam Wreath (Dollar Tree) + Various Sized Foam Balls (Dollar Tree) + White Acrylic Paint ($0.50- Walmart) + Fake Snow ($1 at Walmart or Make Your Own) + Red Ribbon

Paint the foam wreath white and use this tutorial

Red and White Berry Bushes + Grapevine Wreath (Dollar Tree)

Tutorial here

Bags of Gift Bows (Dollar Tree) + Foam Wreath (Dollar Tree)

Wreaths with Bows (Dollar Tree)

Poinsettias Bushes (Dollar Tree) + Grapevine Wreath ($2 – Walmart)

Use wire cutters to cut the poinsettias off their stems. More detailed tutorial here

Burlap Ribbons (Dollar Tree) + Foam Wreath (Dollar Tree) +
Garland Ties (Dollar Tree) + Pinecones + Snowflake Ornament (Dollar Tree) + White Berry Bush (Dollar Tree)+ Decorative Burlap Ribbon + Twine (Dollar Tree)

Tutorial here

Peppermints (Dolar Tree) + Foam Wreath (Dollar Tree) + Large Bow (Dollar Tree)

Use a glue gun to glue the peppermints to the wreath.
This project will probably take a least an hour.

White and Red Medium-Weight Yarn ($2.50 each at Walmart) + Red Bow (Dollar Tree)

Tutorial here

Pinecones + Wire Wreath Frame + Floral Wire

You can do this one of two ways:

If you have this many pinecones in your backyard,
you can use them and just buy some cheap white, red and gold spray paint from Walmart.
You could also just paint them all white to give it a frosted look and save some money. White spray paint is only $1 at Walmart.

Otherwise, you can get some 6 packs of pre-painted pinecones from Dollar Tree for $1 each.

Tutorial is here

Large Wood Letters ($2 each at Walmart) + Small Grapevine Wreath ($1 – Craft Store) + Christmas Pick ($0.98 – Walmart)

Floral Moss (Dollar Tree) + Foam Wreath + Dark Green Acrylic Paint ($0.50 – Walmart) + Christmas Pick ($0.98 – Walmart) + Red Ribbon (Dollar Tree)

Foam Wreath + Christmas Pom-Poms (Dollar Tree)

Assorted Foil Gift Box Ornaments (12 pack, Dollar Tree) + Metal Frame Wreath (Dollar Tree)

Dollar Tree only has one size so you’ll have to find the other sizes somewhere else. Factory Direct Crafts has 24 assorted for $2.99. You could also use the miniature foil drums from Dollar Tree too.

Just glue the boxes onto the metal frame. Tutorial here

Jingle Bells (20-32 pack, Dollar Tree) + Wire Coat Hanger + Red Ribbon & Embellishments

Very easy to do – tutorial here

Small and Medium Round Ornaments (Dollar Tree, in 12, 16, 15 count packs for $1) + Foam Wreath

Fake Pine Wreathes (Dollar Tree) + Red Ribbons (Dollar Tree)

Various Sized Snowflake Ornaments (Dollar Tree)

Use a glue gun to glue them together. You can also make a garland using these snowflakes.

White and Red Ribbon ($3 Craft Store) + Foam Balls (Dollar Tree) + Foam Wreath (Dollar Tree) + Green Felt (Dollar Tree) + Red Glitter (Walmart – $1.50) + Red Acrylic Paint ($0.50 – Walmart)

Wrap ribbon around the foam wreath. Paint and glitter the balls and cut the felt into a leaf shape. For a more detailed tutorial, visit this blog.

Wood Boards or Picture Frame (Thrift Store – $5) + Garland (Dollar Tree) + Pinecones + Large Burlap Ribbon (Walmart – $2) + Wood Letters That Spell “JOY” ($0.50 a piece) + Twine

Tutorial here 

Grapevine Wreaths (Small, $2 – Walmart) + Silver Sparkly Letters ($0.98 – Walmart) + White Acrylic Paint ($0.50 – Walmart) Gold or Burlap Ribbon (Dollar Tree) + Evergreen and Pinecones for Accent

Candy Cane Ribbon + Gauge Wire

Tutorial here

Red Grosgrain Ribbon ($4 – Craft Store) + Foam Wreath (Dollar Tree)

Tutorial here

Santa Hat (Dollar Tree) + Foam Wreath (Dollar Tree) + White Tulle ($1.50 Craft Store)

Tutorial here

Mircrofiber dusters (Dollar Tree) + Christmas Ribbon + White Chenille Stems ($0.88 – Walmart)

Super easy. Check out the tutorial

Burlap Ribbon (Dollar Tree) + Metal Frame Wreath (Dollar Tree) +
Christmas Ribbon (Dollar Tree) + Chenille Stems ($0.88 – Walmart)

It’s easier than it looks to make. Tutorial here.
You can add any embellishments you want like pinecones, letters,
Christmas Picks, etc. Also, Dollar Tree has green and red burlap.

Fake Pine Wreaths (Dollar Tree) + Red Ribbons (Dollar Tree)

Pinecones + White Spray Paint ($1- Walmart) + Red Jingle Bells (Dollar Tree)
+ Wire Wreath Frame (Dollar Tree)+ Floral Wire (Dollar Tree)

Burlap Fabric (Dollar Tree) + Foam Wreath (Dollar Tree) + Red Fabric Straps + Buttons or Beads

Fabric Flower Tutorial and Wreath Tutorial

Christmas Decoration Accents

Large Plastic Candy Canes + Burlap Ribbons (Dollar Tree) + Christmas Pick ($0.98 – Walmart)

Christmas Village (Dollar Tree or Walmart) + White Spray Paint ($1-Walmart)
+ Fake Snow + Silver Glitter ($1 -Walmart)

Spray paint everything white. Let dry, then use Mod Podge and sprinkle glitter on trees.

Pinecones + Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint

White Spray Paint ($1- Walmart) + Pinecones + Potpourri (Dollar Tree)
+ Frosted Round Ornaments (Dollar Tree)

Large Wood Letters ($1.50 a piece – Walmart) + Twine (Dollar Tree) + Burlap Ribbon (Dollar Tree) +Floral Moss (Dollar Tree)

Coat letters in mod podge and sprinkle on floral moss. Attach twine to backs of letters with a staple gun or hot glue gun.

Decorative Fruit (Dollar Tree) + Silver and White Glitter ($1.50 Walmart)

Picture Frames (Dollar Tree) + White Spray Paint ($1- Walmart) + Newspaper + Snowflake Ornaments (Dollar Tree)

Spray paint the frame white and cut the newspaper page to fit in the frame and glue on the snowflakes.

Red Vase (Dollar Tree)+ Reed Sticks ($1- Walmart) + Natural Raffia (Dollar Tree)
+ Ivory Curling Ribbon (Dollar Tree) + Apple Cinnamon Oil ($2 – Walmart)

Plastic Candy Canes (Dollar Tree) + Narrow Christmas Ribbons (Dollar Tree) + Garland (Dollar Tree)

Pinecones + White Ribbon (Dollar Tree) + Garland (Optional)

Assorted Round Ornaments (Dollar Tree) + White Curling Ribbons (Dollar Tree) + Large Bow (Dollar Tree)

Picture Frame ($3 Thrift Stores) + Decorative Ornaments  (Dollar Tree)
+ White Curling Ribbon (Dollar Tree) + Glittery Mesh Ribbon (Dollar Tree)

Whatever picture frame you find at a thrift store you can repaint quickly and cheaply if it’s a little beat up.

Candle Tray ($3 – Thrift Stores) + Assorted Ornaments (Dollar Tree)

Fresh or Fake Garland + Wide White Ribbons ($3.50 – Walmart)

Garland (Dollar Tree) + Red Ribbon (Dollar Tree) + Christmas Cards

You can add Christmas lights to the garland or any accents that you want like beads, berries or pinecones.

Mini Clothespins (Dollar Tree) + Twine (Dollar Tree) + Christmas Cards

A simple and easy way to display your Christmas cards!

Cotton Balls (Dollar Tree) + Invisible Hanging Wire or Fishing Line ($2 – Walmart or Craft Store)

Black and Orange Felt or Construction Paper (Dollar Tree) + Red Striped Gift Paper (Dollar Tree)

Idea: You can also add the same decoration to your fridge if it’s white.

Red, Silver and White Round Ornaments (Dollar Tree) + Snow Flake Ornament (Dollar Tree) +  Red Striped Ribbon + Lantern

You can get any colored lantern at a Thrift store for $3-$4 and paint it red with $0.50 acrylic paint from Walmart.

Popsicle Sticks + Red Acrylic Paint

Mini Christmas Trees & Cones

Mini Tree (Dollar Tree) + Red Berry Bushes (Dollar Tree) + Snow Spray ($2 – Party City)

Foam Cone (Dollar Tree) + Metallic Spray Paint ($5 – Walmart) + Silver Glitter and Sequins ($1-$2 – Walmart)

Cereal Box + Pages + Rope + White Beans

Very creative and pretty. Tutorial here

Small Red Round Ornments + Foam Cone + Red Garland or Red Metallic Foil Shreds (Dollar Tree)

Burlap Ribbons (Dollar Tree) + Foam Cone + Kraft Paper + Christmas Star (Dollar Tree)

Easy & fun project. You can find the tutorial here

Pack of White Feathers ($2- Craft Store) + Foam Cone or White Posterboard (Dollar Tree) + Small Star (Dollar Tree)

Tutorial here

Peppermints (Dollar Tree) + Red Garland or Metallic Foil (Dollar Tree) + Foam Cone (Dollar Tree)

Mini Pinecones + Foam Cone + White Spray Paint ($1- Walmart)

Silver Glitter + White Posterboard + Garland (Dollar Tree) + White Christmas Lights (20 count, Dollar Tree)

Here’s how to make the poster board a cone shape.
After it’s shaped, coat it with Mod Podge and sprinkle glitter

Vases, Flowers, Bottles and Jars

Apothecary Jar (Thrift Store $4-$6) + Pinecones +
Decorative Round Ornaments (Dollar Tree) + Silver and Red Berry Bushes (Dollar Tree)

Herseys Green and Red Kisses + Peppermints +
Tall Vase (Dollar Tree)+ White Ribbon (Dollar Tree)

This is cheap and super easy to do, but it wouldn’t last long in my family.
All the candy would be gone in a week ;p

Glass Bowl Vase (Dollar Tree)+ Fake Snow + Small Pine Branches
+ Small Round Ornaments (Dollar Tree)

Pine Branches + Assorted Small Round Ornaments (Dollar Tree)  + Small Vase (Thrift Store – $2)

Potted Poinsettia ($3-$5) +  Burlap Fabric ($2 – Walmart) + Twine (Dollar Tree)

Branches + Pinecones + Large Vase (Thrift Store – $3) + Berries (Craft Store – $2)
+ White Spray Paint (Walmart – $1) + Burlap Ribbon (Dollar Tree)

Lightly coat the pinecones and branches with spray paint and glue on berries.
Tie a burlap ribbon around neck of vase.

Glass Cylinder Vase (Dollar Tree) + Silver and Gold Ornaments (Dollar Tree) + Silver and Gold Pinecones (Dollar Tree)

Snow Tex Paint ($3) + Round Gold and Silver Ornaments (Dollar Tree)
+ Flowers (Dollar Tree) + Tall Vases ($5 – Thrift Stores)

Tutorial here

Candy Cane Sticks (Dollar Tree) + Peppermint + Red Ribbon (Dollar Tree)
+ Red Flowers (Dollar Tree) + Foam Block (Dollar Tree)

Candy Canes (Dollar Tree) + Red Ribbon (Dollar Tree)
+ Red Flowers (Dollar Tree) + Foam Block (Dollar Tree)

Santa Coffee Cup ($2 Walmart) + IKEA small artificial potted plants ($4)

Poinsettia Stems (Dollar Tree) + Assorted Glass Vases (Dollar Tree)

Wine Bottle (Dollar Tree) + Fake Snow + Silver Flowers (Berry & Coral Bushes from Dollar Tree)

Cover bottles in Mod Podge and roll in fake snow

Wine Bottles (Dollar Tree) + White Spray Paint + Vinyl Sticker Letters or Stencils
+ Red and Silver Berry Bushes (Dollar Tree)

 Check Out My Other Christmas Posts

50 Cheap & Easy Outdoor Christmas Decorations

100+ Easy DIY Christmas Ornaments