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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And now? Here are some simple and fun decorating ideas from some of my friends.
French Country Cottage | DIY Fresh Holiday Greens & Oranges WreathÂ
On Sutton Place | Pine Cone & Rag Ball Centerpiece
Shabbyfufu | Christmas Ball Ornaments
StoneGable | Easy Christmas Centerpiece
Designthusiasm | Easy Shortcuts for Simple Christmas Decor
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!
So happy you have been prompted to be creative today!! Happy creating and happy day!! karianne
This is exactly what I needed! I'm going to do Christmas decorating this weekend and I hope to have some time in December to do some crafts. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love that you have been inspired!! Have fun decorating this weekend and future crafting. Happy day!! karianne
I love these ideas! Thank you!
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.
This one is a keeper...Thanks!
Pinned all of the inspiration for later! Thanks for sharing!
Love it all, but that Scrabble tree is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!
Yes! I think so too! It's the most adorable Christmas decor ever!
Love everything, but the acorn nativity is just too much.
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.
Love these, but mostly, I love how excited I feel after reading one of your posts! I think I can conquer any project !
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. :)
KariAnne, You are so helpful and I love all of your christmas ideas. Have a great day friend!
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!
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
SO fun KariAnne - you ARE helpful! ;) I'm totally going to try the wreath if I can find some magnolia. Thanks for all the great - and beautiful - ideas!
You are always full of glorious ideas friend!!! love love love them
I love all these idea! I think my favorite is the Advent calendar. In fact, I copied it a few years ago and loved it! Thanks for all the great ideas!
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!🥰
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!
Love all these ideas! Please get started on that cloche book right away! 😉
Thanks so much for al your tips KariAnne! I so strive to be that casserole person every day!
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.
These are stunning! And do-able! Great tips!
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.
It's always fun to see you at Tuesday Turn About! Thanks for sharing... You'll be one of my features tomorrow!
I love all these ideas! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
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.