Looking for simple and inexpensive Christmas decorating ideas? Here are some creative ideas that take only 20-minutes. Happy Christmas decorating.

Do you know that one of my goals in this life is to be helpful?

You know.

The person who remembers your favorite drink and brings it to you.

The person who shows up with a casserole when you aren’t feeling well.

The person who checks to see if you need anything from Walmart when they go to town.

That kind of person.

Truth?

Some days I’m not really that helpful. I start watching Judge Judy and getting my hair highlighted and spending 10 minutes trying to decide if purple nail polish is even still a thing.

And then there are the days when I’m so helpful you might nominate me for an award.

Today is one of those days.

I’m sharing 21 easy and inexpensive Christmas decorating ideas you can do in 20 minutes.

Just call me helpful KariAnne. 🙂

1. Fill a sleigh

I found this sleigh at a yard sale.

It was brown with dancing teddy bears.

Super cute.

NOT.

I just spray painted it white and added ornaments. It’s one of the easiest Christmas decorating ideas and creates a simple Christmas centerpiece in minutes.

2. Decorate a hutch

Do NOT overthink your hutch decorating.

I shop for old Christmas trees at yard sales that have seen better days and use the branches as greenery.

Tuck in pinecones and deer and pour of cup of hot chocolate because you are DONE.

3. Make a drop cloth wreath

All you need to make this wreath is a Hallmark movie, a drop cloth, a wreath form and some glue.

You’ll be finished by the time the girl figures out that she doesn’t have to sell her coffee shop.

You can see the detailed how to here.

back porch Christmas decorating ideas

4. Decorate your back door

Don’t forget the space by the back door.

You might be the only one to see it, but it will make you so happy.

This is a bookcase that we had to find a home for after we put up our trees. I just decorated it with a little colorful Christmas.

Christmas decorating ideas wreath

5. Add magnolia

For one of the simplest Christmas decorating ideas, I’ve made an entire wreath from magnolia leaves.

You can see it here.

But if you don’t have that much time?

Why not just add magnolia leaves to your existing wreath like this?

It’s such a simple Christmas project and takes minutes.

Christmas decorating ideas sweater vases

6. Make sweaters for your vases

All you need for this project is a thrift store and some sweaters.

Or maybe your closet and some sweaters.

You get the general sweater ideas.

See the super simple DIY here.

7. Make a pallet wood tree

This might take you a little longer than 20 minutes.

But it’s easier than it looks and such a pretty project that my brother came up with.

You can see the entire DIY here.

cloche Christmas decorating ideas

8. Tuck an ornament under a cloche

Someone just wrote me and asked for ideas to put under cloches.

I need to write a new book, “Cloches and the People Who Love Them.”

If you have a cloche? Just add an ornament under the dome.

It’s a super simple way to make something ordinary feel extraordinary.

9. Make a Christmas tree

You can create a Christmas tree from sticks and twine.

Just drill holes in the sticks, thread the twine and knot.

And then?

Finish it off by tying on burlap ornaments.

10. Make handmade ornaments

Every tree needs a little handmade.

Make your own ornaments to add a little personality.

See my handmade tree here.

Christmas decorating ideas jingle bell topper

11. Make a monogrammed jingle bell topper

I like to decorate my house with presents.

It makes Christmas less stressful and when the presents are opened, the Christmas decor is done.

Wrap a gift and add a jingle bell topper that can be used as an ornament later.

See the entire DIY here.

Christmas decorating ideas pine cone

12. Decorate your pine cones with tags

This is one of my favorite ways to decorate for Christmas without much effort.

Print out tags and trim the ends.

Tuck them into a pine cone and add to a stack of books or under a cloche.

13. Create an advent ornament display

The only thing I love more than an advent calendar?

Is an interactive one.

You can make your own for the upcoming season.

See the DIY here.

14. Make a star topper for the top of the tree

My sister made this tree topper for me.

She made it out of old maps from my father.

See the story and the topper details here.

15. Make a wood slice Christmas tree

I found these wood slices when we went to cut down our tree one year.

So this is an almost free project.

Here are the instructions for the DIY.

16. Make layered felt Christmas trees

These are such a fun project.

All you need is felt and scissors and a little wood and glue.

Make your own layered felt Christmas trees here.

17. Make a wood twig wreath

Shop your back yard for the supplies for this project.

Add twigs to a wreath form and spray paint it.

See the entire DIY here.

18. Drape a simple cedar garland

Last year I just wanted simple.

Like this cedar garland.

I draped it over the door and added two live Christmas trees on either side.

I think I’m going to recreate something similar this year except add ribbon.

Christmas decorating ideas scrabble Christmas tree decorating idea

19. Make a scrabble Christmas tree

This project is so simple.

You just need scrabble tiles and a chalkboard.

See the entire DIY instructions here.

front porch Christmas decorating ideas

20. Drape ribbons through the garland

This was my inspiration for the front door this year.

This is simple inexpensive garland.

I added magnolia leaves to make it more expensive and added simple ribbon draped through it.

And the snow makes it even prettier.

Christmas decorating ideas acorn nativity

21. Acorn nativity

I had to save the best for last.

This.

This.

THIS.

My brother made it from ACORNS.

It is one of the cutest nativities on the planet.

See the entire nativity here.

And now? Here are some simple and fun decorating ideas from some of my friends.

20 Minute Decorating series logo

French Country Cottage | DIY Fresh Holiday Greens & Oranges Wreath 

DIY Holiday Citrus Wreath FCC

On Sutton Place | Pine Cone & Rag Ball Centerpiece

Pine Cone Centerpiece from On Sutton Place

Shabbyfufu | Christmas Ball Ornaments

ways to decorate with Christmas balls besides a tree

StoneGable | Easy Christmas Centerpiece

EASY CHRISTMAS CENTERPIECE StoneGable

Designthusiasm | Easy Shortcuts for Simple Christmas Decor

Christmas decoration ideas simple tabletop tree

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Deb in Oklahoma Deb in Oklahoma

    Yep, yep, and yep! Several of these will translate well to my office for the holidays and possibly through winter. This whole group works as a crafting prompt (sort of like a writing prompt, but with a glue gun instead of a keyboard), so now I'm thinking about new projects. Thanks!

  2. Image for TERESA GONZALES TERESA GONZALES

    LOVE IT!!!!!! Thanks for all the ideas-have your homemade ornaments saved from a previous post!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have to admit that we have most of the outside of our office decorated. Still working on the inside.

  3. Image for Madonna Madonna

    I agree with Janet about the Scrabble Tree, how did I miss this 2016 idea of yours. Do you wake up with these ideas. I actually have an extra scrabble game so I am going to give it a whirl. Maybe I could personalize it after the first phrase O Christmas Tree, fun to put a hidden message within if my set of letters allow for it. Love your use of natural elements & that the craft places carry some of these organics beyond the twigs. Your brother sounds so amazing & I have a great brother but he is not crafty, just a great cook. We all need to be grateful every day for the gifts we are given.

  4. Image for Denise Denise

    Love these, but mostly, I love how excited I feel after reading one of your posts! I think I can conquer any project !

  5. Image for Kris Kris

    Such fun! The pine cone tag and the Scrabble tree are my favorites. I also don't remember the Scrabble tree .... seems we have a group memory loss going on in your comment section. :) I was channeling my inner KariAnne today while at Walmart. I ALMOST bought the same plates you have but I really love their melamine marble plates (and I love that they are lightweight) so I purchased 4 of those instead. Would have bought 8 had they had them in stock. Guess that means I'll have to go shopping again. Oh darn. :)

  6. Image for Teddee Grace Teddee Grace

    I just discovered "sweater ribbon" at Hobby Lobby and so have made candle sweaters for the first time since I can't make myself cut up a sweater even from a thrift store! Thanks for all the great ideas!

  7. Image for Calypso in the Country Calypso in the Country

    I have been meaning to do the sweater vase one...such a cute and cozy idea. I also love the idea of spray painting the sleigh. So many times we pass something by because of the color but it's really the shape we should care about. Great inspiration! Shelley

  8. Image for Leslie Watkins Leslie Watkins

    Thank you for being helpful today! And sharing. Love the advent calendar especially with littles gone, it’s a great way to continue daily adding joy to the tree. But that nativity! How sweet! I have great nieces and nephews who will be over the moon making it!! Thanks helpful friend!🥰

  9. Image for Barb Barb

    Sweet ideas! I'm going to make the advent calendar. I hope you'll share your girls wish list this year. I have teen granddaughters & the book selections were a big hit last Christmas! Thanks for the inspiration!

  10. Image for Mary S Mary S

    A little late to respond but your endless ideas are such an inspiration. I'm very thankful for YOU!! And so appreciative that you are willing to share with us all your creativity.

  11. Image for Karren Haller Karren Haller

    Hi Karianne, I found your post over at Lorelai's. Dressing the vases with sweaters is so clever I love that. So many other great ideas for Christmas and I would love to have you stop by to share your blog on our #omhgff party.

  12. Image for Julie Briones Julie Briones

    It's always fun to see you at Tuesday Turn About! Thanks for sharing... You'll be one of my features tomorrow!

  13. Image for Teresa Teresa

    Do you have a link to print the DIY tags like NOEL, Merry Christmas, etc.? Or what font and size did you print them? Thank you.

Comments are closed.