Budget-Friendly Holiday Decor to Grab Now Before It Sells-Out
Get ahead of the seasonal rush! Discover the best budget-friendly holiday decor pieces to snag now before they sell out. Wreath, garlands, lighting, and more for less!
It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas and beat the holiday rush. I know many people don’t like to even think about it until after Thanksgiving, but I find starting early gives me time to enjoy the season rather than rushing around.
The best holiday decor, when priced well, is always the first to sell out. I can’t tell you how many times I find the perfect piece too late in the season, and it’s no longer available!
I’m already seeing holiday items on social media, and while I don’t always feel pressure to go with the crowd, I do think shopping early for the best budget-friendly holiday decor is a good idea.
For that reason, I thought I would get ahead of things this year and share a list of the best holiday decor items that go quickly each year. And a few new ones I think will sell out fast this year.
Shopping early minimizes stress
When you get your shopping and decorating done early, you can enjoy the few weeks leading up to Christmas.
I love to spend time baking, especially during the holidays. When I get everything else done, I have more time to fit in seasonal traditions I enjoy rather than running around crowded stores like an over-caffeinated elf!
Also, we never know how the weather will go, so that’s another good reason to get yourself prepared sooner.
Plus, the early bird gets the best decor!
Top Budget-Friendly Holiday Decor Pieces to Buy Now
First up are the holiday staples almost every home has at Christmas. When it comes to wreaths and garlands, I do love real over fake. However, a good argument can be made for going faux. Real garland dries out and is messy. You can’t hang it indoors too soon, or it won’t last.
Using good-quality fake greenery is a great option. Plus, you don’t have to buy it again each and every year. Here are some really popular options that tend to sell out.
Affordable Wreaths & Garlands
I have a few faux Christmas wreaths that look just like the one below and I paid a lot more for mine from Terrain. They make an appearance every year around my home, both indoors and out. Norfolk pine has been having a major moment in holiday decor lately, and it’s easy to see why. It’s such a beautiful, realistic option.
Mini trees are one of my favorite holiday accents, even when a big tree’s already up. This little tree costs under $20, making it a perfect budget-friendly holiday decor accent. Place it in a basket or planter for extra style and enjoy the charm without the fuss of a full-sized tree.
While Norfolk pine greenery seems to be all the rage again this year, I happen to love a cedar garland. It’s traditional and it’s fuller looking. This one is under $40, slightly more than the Norfolk pine version, but worth it in my opinion. However, you can get a Norfolk pine garland for about half that price.
And as far as budget-friendly holiday decor goes, greenery can go a long way in making a house feel festive. That is one reason I use a lot of natural Christmas decor when decorating.
Christmas tree decorations
When it comes to Christmas tree decorations, there are a few basics I stick to every year, regardless of what my overall theme might be.
One of my essentials is the battery-operated clip-on candles. My grandmother told me that when she was a child, they put real candles on the tree. So my candle lights always remind me of her.
This is a nice set that includes a remote control for turning them on and off.
Velvet Christmas ribbon is another staple I keep on hand, which I use not only on the tree but everywhere for the holidays. I’ll use it to wrap gifts, hang ornaments, tie bows on the tree, and more. These are priced well and come in a variety of colors.
Velvet bows on the tree are a classic look that never goes out of style. I usually make my own from ribbon because it’s more budget-friendly. However, if you like a more uniform look, you can buy these pretty, premade tree bows. They come in a ton of different colors, too.
Velvet ornaments are a nice addition to my tree as well. Though not as shiny as traditional ornaments, they add a sense of elegance. These were hugely popular and expensive a few years ago, but now that so many companies make them, they can be found affordably.
I also found this set of 12 velvet ornaments for under $15!
christmas stockings (classic christmas)
At Christmas, I’m always torn between decorating with classic elements like reds and plaid or elegant colors like white and gold. I usually end up doing a mix of both.
Speaking of classic, I just discovered this Christmas tree skirt in the red plaid tartan, and it’s so good! It’s like the epitome of classic tree skirts. They have other colors, styles, and plaids, and honestly, I love them all. From ticking stripe to primitive quilt style, check these out! This one is already in my cart. 🙂
Although red cranberry bead garlands are easy to find and rarely sell out, they deserve a spot on this list. They’re such a versatile holiday decorating staple, perfect for adding a classic touch to your Christmas tree, planters, shelves, or dining table. I’ve used mine for years, and it’s something I’ll keep reaching for every season.
The new Hearth and Hand holiday collection recently dropped at Target. These adorable knit Christmas stockings caught my eye. They come in red or green, and I have a feeling they won’t last long.
Additionally, I wanted to include this more neutral Christmas stocking, which is another beautiful option. If you prefer to keep your Christmas decor more neutral, this is a good pick.
Statement Lighting & Candles
Nothing sets the Christmas mood like ambient lighting can. Using string lights, candles, or lanterns is an easy way to make your home feel festive and warm at the same time.
Window candles are my favorite Christmas decoration for outdoor ambiance. If I do nothing else to the outside of our house, I will always put candles in the windows.
This set of four battery-operated window candles is a quality set. It is not the cheapest option out there, but I’ve been through so many cheap sets that I plan to purchase these this year. They also come in different colors for the base.
If your budget is tight, check out these window candles (they’re less than $3 each!)
You can never (and I repeat never) have too many battery-operated glimmer string lights. I use these all year round, but especially at Christmas. I prefer the clear strings over the green because they virtually disappear wherever you use them.
These colonial-style candles caught my eye this year. They lean into a more nostalgic holiday vibe that I love.
Vintage-Inspired Accents
You know I love vintage decor, and Christmas decorating is no exception. Sprinkling in vintage accents is a great way to personalize your holiday decorations and make them more unique.
Using a small piece that doesn’t cost much can do the trick to make your decor feel special. Maybe you already have vintage holiday decor that has been passed down – if so, that’s even better. If not, shop around to find vintage pieces that speak to you.
I never pass up brass candlestick holders when I find them at reasonable prices because I use them everywhere all year long. This set of three I found online is priced well!
Last year, I found several vintage Christmas books. Some I sold at the antique shop, and some I kept for my own holiday decor. This would be pretty displayed at Christmas and enjoyed when read to the little ones!
We all know vintage Shiny Brite ornaments are a crowd favorite for Christmas, but I am partial to the mercury glass bead garlands. It’s amazing that something so delicate can last so many years. These are especially fun for mini trees.
Lastly, I had to include these vintage mini bottle brush trees because they’re beautiful and really well priced. Someone better buy these before I scoop them all up!
I came across so many beautiful vintage holiday decor finds that I might have to do a whole separate post on them! I don’t want to go too far off track here, but if that’s something you’d love to see, let me know in the comments!
Tabletop & Kitchen Decor Finds
We all know that any home gathering usually ends up with everyone in the kitchen, so why not make it festive for the holidays? You don’t have to go crazy and clutter it up with decor, but a few functional pieces can go a long way!
This adorable gingerbread house cookie jar was already low in stock as I was putting this post together. I can see why, it’s absolutely adorable for the kitchen!
For your kitchen or dining table, these beautiful holiday cotton napkins would make an elegant addition.
Those napkins would pair well with this elegant white and gold table runner. I can envision a winter wonderland-themed table setting with these two items as the base. Add some candles and greenery, and you’re set.
Where to Find the Best Deals Right Now on budget-friendly holiday decor
All the retailers have already released their Christmas lines. For the best deals, it pays to shop around, but I always find Walmart to have the best prices on everything. Amazon is a very close second.
If you find something you love, you can always take a screenshot of the item and run it through the Google Search Lens. That will immediately show you which companies have the item and at what prices.
Keep an eye out for Black Friday deals; many start well before the actual day. Also, don’t forget to support small and local shops! Many host holiday open house events where you can score great sales. The antique shop I sell out of does one every year, and most of the vendors offer special one-day discounts.
One last idea for budget-friendly holiday decor is to visit local thrift stores. Sometimes you can find truly unique and affordable decor there. They’re very hit or miss for me, but the more you go, the more likely you are to find a score.
Bring the Holiday Magic Home
While it definitely pays to start your holiday shopping early, don’t feel pressured to do it all or buy it all. The juggle is real, but remember, this season is meant to feel joyful, not stressful. Take a breath, sip something cozy, and decorate in whatever way makes you feel good.
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