Last year, Nate and I thought we were going ALL OUT with decorations. We’d just bought a house, and I imagined swags of garland everywhere, twinkling lights; the whole deal. After dropping $100 on lights and ornaments at Target, we realized we had just enough extension cords and strings to cover…oh, exactly an outline of our front door and the banisters on the three stairs leading up to it. Womp womp.

Decorations add up fast, even if you’re going for low-budget options. But, in our scramble to add some holiday cheer without going full dollar store (or breaking the bank), we’ve come across a few simple ways to make a big impact:

1. Cover The Tree In DIY “Gingerbread” Ornaments

These homemade ornaments couldn’t be easier to make, they add a rustic touch to the tree, AND they fill your living room with a fresh-baked, cinnamon-y smell that’s better than any Yankee Candle. They’re inedible and sturdy enough that they can be reused for years. Seriously, our set is about 5 years old now, and while the scent has diminished, they still look great. 

All you need to make them is cinnamon, applesauce, glue, and cookie cutters. Oh, and some ribbon or metal hooks to hang them on the tree. 

Get the recipe here. 

2. Carefully Position Your “Statement” Ornaments

A couple strategically placed, personal ornaments helped liven up our tree. Every year, I try to buy 1-2 new pieces, focusing on ones with a backstory, like this $5 mirror frame we found online. I tossed in a funny picture of Emerie that never fails to make me smile (and will definitely make her ask me WHY I could be such a monster to immortalize such a ridiculous expression in the years to come — sorry, Em!). I try to find conversation pieces that are a little oversized, so they make a bigger impact…and perfectly cover up any big holes in the tree. Because every tree has one.

3. Cluster Decorations Together for Bigger Impact

In the past, I’d spread out decorations throughout the house. Then I learned how pro designers create “vignettes,” AKA shelfies, AKA little nooks that are decked out to fit a certain vibe. One or two little spots where your decorations are displayed, like stockings and a nativity scene or nutcrackers or whatever you’re into, make a bigger impact.

4. Turn Your Holiday Cards into Garland

Everybody sends holiday cards, and you probably put a couple on your table or mantel, then toss them after New Year’s. Hold onto them, not because you’re a hoarder in training, but because they’re easy to tape up and turn into a faux-garland along an entryway. Lush garland’s great, but let’s face it: That ish is expensive. Cards work just as well.

5. Give Black Friday A Second Purpose

Dec. 26 is known as the day Christmas decorations go on sale, but often, the sales aren’t THAT great, and all the good stuff is gone. Next year, add decor shopping to your Black Friday plans. Home Depot and Lowe’s tend to offer huge discounts on their outdoor decorations. We scored two small holiday trees, a wreath and garland — all wrapped in clear lights — for less than $50 (when they’re normally over $100 for the set).