Create Affordable Holiday Decor with Big Lots This Christmas

#ad Christmas season is upon us and the holiday decor displays may have you wanting to buy all.the.things. But you don’t want to break the bank before the holidays even begin. So check out these tips for creating affordable holiday decor this season and stay on budget thanks to Big Lots Christmas collections. This post sponsored by Big Lots.

Yes, I know it’s October, but retailers can’t wait for us to get into the Christmas holiday spirit. In an aisle right next to pumpkins and costumes are Christmas trees and snowmen. But I’m not mad at it! For my family, Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year and we love to decorate for it.

A few months ago I had the privilege to preview the Big Lots holiday collections and let me say it was magical! You know I have been a Big Lots shopper for years and have often used things from their store in our holiday decor (like this spirited candleholder and this popular no hot glue ornament wreath). After seeing the Big Lots Christmas Collections (Holiday Cottage,  Elegant Wonder, Tinsel Town and Starry Night) my wish list to deck the halls is longer than Santa’s.

Create Affordable Holiday Decor Without Breaking the Budget

So how can you create beautiful holiday decor in your home, with new items, but without breaking the bank? Here are a few tips to consider when decorating for the Holidays this year.

Buy a Few Key Holiday Pieces

During the Big Lots Holiday event, I was paired with a team of influencers to decorate a room. What a fun project- and I absolutely LOVED our finished product. I knew I wanted to replicate the design at my own home. And it all started with that Metal Christmas “tapestry”. It is the perfect piece to anchor the whole Christmas display.

I also loved the deer and candlestick vignette, so I knew I had to get those as well. Buffalo Check for Christmas, Check! Those cute and on-trend bows would be perfect for tying in some of the other pieces. (ok, pun intended).

Use (Free) Cut Greenery Instead of Buying

Speaking of tying in… for our room, during the event, we used several swags of greenery on the metal sign and on the mantel. One of my fave frugal tips for Christmas decorating is to use FREE Christmas tree clippings. If you are getting your own live tree use the clippings off it or you can ask at tree lots to see if they have clippings to give away.

And where did I find these clipping in October? I actually had a friend who let me take a few off her hemlock branches (um, how adorable are the real pinecones on these limbs). So you can ask around or even cut a few off your own trees. I think I saved around $30 by not buying the garlands (although you can find great options at Big Lots for that too!). Then I used those cute buffalo check bow ornaments to tie the branches on the sign and add a little more of that farmhouse style.

Use What You Already Have

In other words, shop the “aisles” of your own home. Repurposing your own decor into holiday displays is a fun and frugal challenge. This goes for holiday items as well as everyday decor.  For instance, the LED candles I had in my Christmas bins (bought on clearance last year). And do you recognize that black frame? It has been used as a “backdrop” in many of my decor and blog posts (like this one on a cute way to display Christmas cards). What do you have already at home that will add to the few key pieces you bought?

Look for Non-Christmas Items That Can Be Used Year-Round

This concept is like “use what you have” but on the flip side. Consider looking in non-seasonal sections of the store for decor items that can be decorated for Christmas, but can then be used all year.  I am loving ALL the farmhouse decor pieces that Big Lots has been bringing to the frugal decor game. AND even better, when you can find something marked down. I found the black metal lantern in the clearance section. I added the coordinating buffalo check bow to match the wall hanging and to make it all more cohesive. But after the season, I will be able to take that bow off and display it as is, maybe add a cute little succulent inside for the spring.

Farmhouse Style Christmas, Big Lots Shopping List:

“Merry Peaceful Joyful Blessed” Metal Hanging Tapestry– $15
Winter Wonder Lane White Distressed Deer Tabletop Décor– $16
Winter Wonder Lane Buffalo Check Bow Decorative Ornaments, 3-Pack– $6
Living Colors Whitewash Wood Pedestal Candle Holder with Greenery, 7″– $12
Living Colors Whitewash Wood Pedestal Candle Holder with Greenery, 9″ – $14
Black & Glass House Lantern, (12″)- $10.50
Winter Wonder Lane Red “Peace” Braided Round Placemat– $2.50

So for just under $80, I have a wonderful new Christmas display and a few items to use throughout the year. I love how it all came together. It has that modern farmhouse feel and just looks like Christmas. In fact, hubs loved it so much he begged me to leave it up. 😉 I almost gave in, but I have fab Fall decor (from Big Lots of course) that deserves it’s time in the limelight first.

So what’s your fave part of my Farmhouse Christmas Display? See anything that will be a “must buy key piece” for you? 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the finished look and my tips for saving a little this Holiday season. So leave your comments below and see more on my social media. Plus be watching for a fun Big Lots FB LIVE coming soon.  It will be very “rewarding”!

This post sponsored by Big Lots. Happy to be a long-time Big Lots shopper and share about this Ohio based company.