16 Budget-Friendly Christmas Decorating Ideas

1. Take your throw pillows and tie them with holiday colored ribbons either once around the middle or like a Christmas gift. Add a rhinestone pin for an extra kick!

2. Glue leftover cards or those from previous years on matboard using Spray Mount, double sided tape or rubber cement and hang as holiday artwork, says Mary Ellen Turner, vice president of seasonal merchandise for Party City. The boards could be trimmed down to the size of a single card or left as a whole board with numerous cards attached to it lined up against a wall or on top of a coffee table.

3. Use natural elements, such as evergreen branches, pinecones or berries with candles. "But always make sure to place candles in separate holders, such as hurricane glasses, for safety," says Kimberly Kennedy, author of The Art and Craft of Entertaining and lifestyle consultant for the National Candle Association. Or, pile artificial snow on a silver platter, a tabletop, or mantel with vintage glass ornaments and votives in crystal holders to create a dramatic effect.