5 Ways to Make Your Christmas Tree Look Expensive on a Budget!
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You don’t need to spend a lot of money to make a cheap Christmas tree look expensive this year. Learn 5 ways to make your Christmas tree look amazing on a budget—I’ve decorated this beautiful tree using only Dollar Tree finds!
I challenged myself by using only dollar store decorations to dress a Christmas tree in my studio. I’m so happy with how it turned out, and I love that I made it look beautiful on a budget!
Watch my YouTube video to see how I’ve decorated this Christmas tree! Then, read my tips below on how to make a tree look amazing on a budget:
5 Ways to Make Your Cheap Christmas Tree Look Expensive on a Budget
1: Use a careful palette of colours
I know you’re itching to purchase or collect lights, ribbon, ornaments, and floral picks for your tree. But first, nail down the colour palette you want to use for your Christmas tree decorations this year. You can check out my blog post & video about combining colours to help you find a palette that looks fabulous. A combo of one or two colours for a Christmas tree gives it an elegant look. Using more makes it look eclectic. For this tree, I used a simple, monochromatic palette of white and gold.
2: Use different sizes of lights
If you’re adding string lights to your tree, consider adding a couple of strings of small LED lights, and then winding a string of larger globe lights through the tree for interest. For this tree, I used 200 string lights to save money. Then, I wound one string of 50 globe lights through the tree to create a beautiful effect and add sparkle! Lighting is a great way to make a cheap tree look a little more elegant.
3: Apply ribbon like a pro
I think ribbon looped gently throughout a Christmas tree—even Dollar Tree mesh like I used here— makes the tree look lush and gorgeous. You can check out my Christmas tree ribbon tutorial right here to learn my easy method that will make your ribbon look fantastic.
4: Get multiple sizes of ornaments
A collection of ornaments of various sizes, textures, and shapes will make your tree look interesting and layered. Get Christmas ball ornaments in large, medium, and small sizes, and various other ornaments in your colour scheme with irregular textures and shapes for added interest. You can start by putting your large ornaments on the tree first, then working your way to the smallest ornaments, spacing them evenly throughout the tree.
5: Add floral picks
Floral picks from Dollar Tree, Amazon, or Michaels will add texture and body, making a cheap Christmas tree look expensive instantly! For this tree, I only used a few glittery gold and pine cone picks from Dollar Tree to add a little oomph. Just bury them in the branches, point them up or down depending on your preference, and enjoy the added fullness!
I hope you found these simple tips helpful as you decorate your own Christmas tree this year! Making your tree look expensive and put together on a budget has never been easier.
Now tell me: What are your favourite budget-friendly Christmas tree decorating tricks? Let me know in the comments!
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Nice tips. Just in time as well. I’ve wanted to do something to my tree since last year since it’s been like that every Christmas.
We use an artificial tree because we have a small cottage house and the tree I found 10 years ago is 5′ tall but very narrow so it fits perfectly! Last year, I wanted to do something different so I set the tree base in an inexpensive basket (about 10″ tall and wide), inserted the tree into the base, then, after decorating, I loosely wrapped an old lace or macrame table cloth around the base, letting it just slightly drape over the side of the top of the basket all around. I think you posted some Christmas decorating ideas that I saw last year and that inspired me! Your ideas are all so wonderful; thank you for sharing them!
That sounds absolutely lovely!!
Loved the video!! Great ideas on how to decorate the tree! I especially loved how you did the ribbon on the tree. I’ve always done something very similar too. So many trees have the ribbon literally wrapped around the tree too tightly and not as attractive.
Would you please tell me where you got your fabric for the peonies and roses video and the colors you used too? I purchased some fabric to make those flowers but I don’t like the colors or the shine on the fabric. I love that video too!
Hello, Christina! You are doing an amazing job! That tree looks nice and I know it will be a head-turner inside your house. I wish I can do the same thing, but I don’t have the talent in picking the right colors. hahahah. Anyway, this is awesome and thanks for this. Xoxo.
Thanks, Jennifer! Look on Pinterest for inspiration and pick three colours you like and stick with those. You’ve got this
Love it. Great tips. Hadn’t thought of pics before…and will try an extra set of globe lights next year. Maybe they will be on sale after Christmas…
Yes always check after Christmas you can get some amazing deals
Hi Christina! This is really nice article for a small budget. I am searching for this type of article because Christmas day is coming. May i know which color of the tree will suit in my house corner?