We put together a quick, easy holiday decorating video before we even finished trimming our tree (we shared the tree last week), but since we like to keep things in order, this follow-up video makes more sense after the first tree-decorating post. Good things come to those who wait, right? Below is a short video showing simple, budget-friendly ideas for decorating every corner of your home using items we already had on hand—so these ideas cost us nothing. You can watch it here:
If you can’t watch the video right now, here’s a concise summary of what we did and why it worked. We started with the mantel: inexpensive stocking holders and neutral stockings were given instant personality with small DIY name tags and a few shiny ornaments tucked into candlesticks for sparkle.
Instead of lighting candles in the tall candlesticks, we topped them with ornaments to add color and a festive look. It’s an easy switch that still feels cozy when the fireplace is lit.
For the stockings we used neutral Tar-jay finds and simple, affordable $5 holders. I made the tags from cardstock—cut a tag shape, punch a hole, tie on twine and write the names (“John”, “Sherry” and “Burger”)—an instant personal touch without expensive monogramming.
On the sofa we swapped the usual ivory pillows for green silk pillows we had stored in another room (we picked them up at TJ Maxx). The green ties the mantel and nearby console together and complements our citrus-themed Christmas tree. Adding a green throw with fringe and a faux sheepskin over the sofa back provided layers and texture without looking overtly “Christmasy.”
We also like filling every clear vessel we own with ornaments. For our glass-based lamps we tucked in 15 silver ornaments each for a striking, effortless display. To stay organized year after year, we store the ornaments for each lamp in labeled zip bags—“lamp base #1” and “lamp base #2”—so redecorating is practically autopilot. Other options for filling glass bases include painted pinecones, faux snow, vintage black-and-white photos, or clipped pine boughs.
We don’t shy away from decorating the quirky pieces around the house. A ribbon around our ceramic dog’s neck made him instantly festive, and we like to add playful “earrings” (ornaments) to our iron bull—because a little whimsy is part of our holiday tradition.
In the kitchen we emptied a faux clam shell display and filled it with a mix of shiny silver, frosted ivory, and gunmetal ornaments. The arrangement looks like oversized pearls in the shell and serves as an elegant, low-effort centerpiece for holiday gatherings.
On the console table we swapped things seasonally: a small feather tree set on a green tray, a cylinder filled with green ornaments, and a bit of live greenery reinforced the green-accented theme throughout the house. (The feather trees came from Target the previous year on sale.)
The den mantel received a simple update: a neutral wreath with green accents layered in front of a large framed piece. The layered look works because the wreath doesn’t hide the framed art, and the large mat keeps the arrangement balanced. We finished the mantel by dropping small green glittery vase-fill orbs into hurricanes for a symmetrical, cozy display—perfect for candlelight and a gas fireplace glow.
Overall, most of our seasonal accents are neutral—silver ornaments, candlesticks, tan stockings, and an ivory wreath—punctuated with fresh green pops. That restrained palette lets our bright citrus-themed tree stand out and pulls everything together in a fun, festive way. We even added a few orange ornaments on the mantel to echo the tree’s colors.
These ideas are all about making a big holiday impact with what you already own: move items from spare rooms, repurpose containers, use inexpensive ornaments, and add small handmade labels for personalization. The result is festive, cohesive, and wallet-friendly.
How do you decorate beyond the tree? Do you buy a fresh wreath for the front door, set out holiday treats, or string lights around the house? Share your traditions and favorite seasonal touches—we’d love to hear how you create a warm holiday atmosphere in your home.
*Note: If you watch the video you might catch two accidental “that’s what she said” moments—totally unintentional, but we thought we’d warn you.
Looking for more holiday decorating and entertaining ideas? We’ve shared a number of seasonal posts and favorite finds that are easy to adapt and often budget-friendly.