Prepare your home for Christmas without spending much
This year's Christmas celebrations will probably be very different from what we're used to but we're not going to allow the most important element of this holiday – the excitement – to be lost. If you're thinking about reducing your decorating budget as much as you can this Christmas, this article is for you! As you will see, there are plenty of options that will allow you to prepare your house for Christmas, creating the atmosphere that we love so much this time of year for very little money. The only one who will notice the change is your wallet!
The first step in preparing your home for Christmas without spending much will be to reuse everything you have from previous years. Whether it's ornaments, tablecloths, tableware… Giving a new lease of life to everything you have stored away will help you reduce your budget by quite a bit. But if you want to combine last year's decorations with some new ones, or simply have no Christmas decorations at all because it's your first year living on your own, our ideas may be just right for you.
Low-cost Christmas decorations for the door
Now, more than ever, we need positivity and to share with others. That's why adding a Christmas touch to the entrance of your home will not only cheer you up but will also bring a smile to your neighbours. It can be a great way to start preparing your home for Christmas, don't you think?
Although there are many ways to do this and Christmas wreaths are usually the most typical decoration, this time we suggest a different, simple and very affordable idea. This wall ornament from our VINTER collection, which mimics the branches of a Christmas tree, costs only EUR 1 and, together with two red baubles, it adds a very special touch to the door of your home.
Lighting is another of the most common ways to decorate your home's entrance during the holidays, but it can entail high electricity costs. So, if you want to add a bright touch to your entrance without spending too much, we suggest placing some LED string lights, like STRÅLA, around the door. They're battery-powered, so you don't need to worry about plugs, and the best thing is that being LED, they consume 85% less energy and last 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Sustainable for your pocket and the environment!
An original and affordable Christmas tree
If you don't want to spend a fortune on a Christmas tree with thousands of ornaments, don't worry! Here's an idea for a very original and affordable alternative like the one you can see in the photo.
To do this in your home, all you need is a support, which could be a wooden or cork board that you don't use; you can even use your own wall. You’ll also need glue or pins and some LED string lights. We've chosen LEDLJUS, which only costs EUR 10 and is 4 metres long, allowing you to create a rather large, bright tree. Also, because the cable is black, it stands out more against wood. However, you can make a mini version with a shorter string of lights.
Once you have everything you need, just shape the tree with the string lights by fastening them tightly to the support, and you're good to go! During the day, you can keep it switched off and turn it on after dark. However, as we pointed out in the previous section, as these are LED lights, they consume less energy and last longer, so you'll have this unique tree for quite some time! More than one family member is sure to copy this idea for next year!
A minimalist Christmas tree
If you're not sure about the previous option and you're looking for something more like a traditional tree but don't want to spend that much, why not opt for a mini size? The one we recommend, from the VINTER 2020 collection, measures 12 cm and has a very affordable price. Being small, you won't just save on the price; you'll also save on decorating as you won't need as many ornaments to make it beautiful.
For example, we added some pretty LED string lights with Santa dolls and changed the planter to one that fits better with the rest of the house's decorations. It doesn't need much more.
But even if you opt for another type of decoration, you won't need as many ornaments as for a large tree because of its size. Plus, you'll also save a lot of space at home. What do you think?
Attractive and affordable Christmas table decorations
This year, the table has become even more significant because if there's one thing we have learnt, it's that there is nothing more important than surrounding yourself with those you love. And lunch and dinner symbolise this special bond. This Christmas, prepare a simple and beautiful table to host your loved ones.
Making the Christmas table look festive doesn't have to mean spending a fortune or too much time on it. In this photo, we achieved this result with just three elements: red place mats, white tableware with a decorative touch and candles.
Without a doubt, the place mats are the biggest stars. And for a very low price, these pieces can bring the table to life thanks to their typical holiday colours.
Once laid out, the next step is to set out white tableware, which creates contrast and highlights the place mats even more. We have chosen UPPLAGA, which adds a more elegant touch to the table with its wavy edges. However, the decor will work with any tableware of this colour that you have at home. You can also combine it – as we have done – with white pieces featuring a design such as flowers. The glasses and cups are clear glass and the napkins are also white.
Last but not least, a beautiful candlestick with candles in the centre will add a final, warm touch to the table.
Christmas table decor with natural elements
If you want your table decorations to have even more of a Christmas feel, another option is to add natural elements on top of your tableware, such as pine cones, pine branches or poinsettias. The poinsettias that we've chosen are from our VINTER collection and, despite their low price, they manage to completely change the appearance of the table. As the tableware is white, a beautiful effect is created with the green pine branches, the brown pine cones and the red flowers.
The difference with the previous table, apart from the natural elements, is that, in this case, we've chosen a red tablecloth as the base and white place mats with a Santa Claus design. Once again, simple and affordable decor that won't go unnoticed.
And as we're talking about surprising your guests, it won't hurt to have a solution ready for people to store their masks if they don't have a little case. Had you thought about that?
The most affordable but equally effective solution is to have letter envelopes on hand. If you hand one out to each person, they can leave their mask inside and start enjoying the moment. Want to add an extra touch? Decorate each envelope with labels with the names of your guests or stick on some special decorations. We're sure that they will love them.
Affordable decorations for Christmas to shine throughout the house
Apart from the table decoration for Christmas meals, there are other practical and low-priced decorative items that you can buy for your home, which will bring even more Christmas joy. An example of this is the heart-shaped napkin holder that you can see in the photo. Its colour will provide that festive cheer you are looking for in whichever room you use it. It will make a huge difference if you place it on the table when friends come to visit you, even if it's only for coffee.
The same goes for candles. Although they are great all year round, at Christmas they are wonderful for making any space much more homely and cosy. The best thing about these decorations is that you can still use them even after Christmas. And because they are LED lights, they are safer and last much longer.
Have you realised just how much you can save? We hope we've helped to make your decorations much more affordable this Christmas. And if you still need more ideas, here are some articles that may interest you.
We love it when customers use our products in a creative way. Why not try to do something new with them yourself? But do remember, any modifications or changes that you make to IKEA products will prevent them from being resold or used for their original purpose, thus invalidating IKEA product warranties and your right to return them.
