We couldn’t let the holiday season pass without taking on a few more simple, festive decorating projects. These ideas are quick, budget-friendly, and use everyday items you probably already have at home. For our materials we bought a bag of moss for under $5 and a set of small silver-toned ornaments for about $5. With those two items and a few common vessels, we created a range of affordable holiday decor that looks polished and seasonal.
One of the easiest arrangements: take a clear cylinder vase, add a few inches of moss, and top it with a handful of small, shiny ornaments. The contrast between natural moss and reflective ornaments creates an elegant, contemporary look that suits many spaces.
These simple vases are perfect for side tables, mantels, coffee tables, or as a centerpiece for the holiday dinner table. They’re quick to assemble and easy to change up to match your existing decor, whether you prefer metallics, neutrals, or pops of color.
If you don’t have a cylinder vase, don’t worry: a glass bowl, a tall hurricane, or any clear vessel will work. A larger glass hurricane takes a bit more moss and more ornaments, but the result is a fresh, festive focal point that fills vertical space nicely.
Here’s another ornament-focused idea that doesn’t require moss at all: place one striking ornament in a decorative bowl on a side table or entry console. A single well-chosen ornament can add instant sparkle and visual interest in seconds.
For entertaining, combine practical serving with seasonal style. Fill a large serving plate with small ornaments and place a cup or dish of snacks—popcorn, candy canes, mixed nuts, breadsticks, or red and green jelly beans—on top. This arrangement keeps snacks accessible while adding holiday glitz to your buffet or snack table.
Windowsills are another underused spot that shine during the holidays. Swap the usual candles for small, reflective vases filled with moss and tiny ornaments. We used mercury glass vases that cost only a few dollars each and stuffed them with paper for bulk before covering the top with moss. This technique stretches a single bag of moss to make several little “topiaries” to line a windowsill or shelf.
For a warmer, illuminated option, place a pillar candle inside a glass bowl, hurricane, or vase and surround it with a little moss and several mini ornaments. The candlelight reflects off the ornaments and glass, creating a cozy, inviting glow perfect for holiday nights.
These simple DIY holiday decor ideas are inexpensive, versatile, and easy to refresh year after year. They work well in modern, traditional, and eclectic homes and offer a quick way to bring seasonal charm to multiple rooms. If you enjoy small decorating projects, try mixing ornament sizes, colors, and vessel types to create layered displays that reflect your personal style. Happy decorating—and feel free to try these variations to suit your home and holiday plans.