Cheap decorations that don’t look cheap

[LoudSnoringDog]

I’ve not purchased any decorations for about 7/8 years and really want to update what I have. I don’t have a huge budget but want the place to look nice and not cheap.
has anyone come across any decently priced, nice items from high st stores / online?

Try TK Maxx. They usually have beautiful hand painted and glass blown baubles cheap. Loads of nice other things too. I'd start looking earlyish.

I’m a big fan of lights for impact. I have a couple of these and they are lovely.

https://amzn.to/3symwaD

These are cute for outdoors:
https://www.longacres.co.uk/christmas/christmas-lights/light-up-christmas-decorations/three-kings-inlit-ice-robins-light-up-christmas-decoration-set-of-5-2515027/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAjMKqBhCgARIsAPDgWly6oSVfrH8hq2sXLAmamNnwfnOfzI4uAppvR0j7OyhEu7DwCK4YL1YaAjJCEALw_wcB
(And battery operated)

https://www.dunelm.com/product/noel-light-up-foliage-1000224374?defaultSkuId=30846533&branchCode=0335&dsc=ChristmassChristmas+Home+Decor%5BGOO-LIA-XMAS-DECOR%5D&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjMKqBhCgARIsAPDgWlyZUxy79uIDihJfnrZMfyx5BK2h8sgXDT0SHyjKvdbbHlwUznnGFZoaAoy1EALwwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Aww the robins are cute

I think a paired-back colour palette and lots of natural elements (as in the pics attached) are the easiest way to achieve classy-looking decorations on a small budget. Stay away from plastic, glitter and bright colours. Collect or buy things like nice twigs and pinecones. Use cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, ivy, moss and amaryllis. Get some gold or white spray paint. Spend a little more on nice vases and bowls (check charity shops or FB marketplace for pretty vintage finds). Candles and Scandi-style tea light houses give a warm and cosy feel.

Ikea Strala lamps look lovely and make a big impact. Also, Sostrene Grene is great for reasonably priced decorations.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/strala-lamp-shade-lace-white-60532232/

https://sostrenegrene.com/en-gb

Hobbycraft had some surprisingly nice decorations when I was browsing last week, lots of natural palette ones as mentioned already, some nice ones made of paper/card and also some which I think are called honeycomb decorations. If you are into quirky glass ornaments Lidl had packs of 3 or 4 very cheap last week and they also had tiny round coloured glass baubles. TK Maxx always have lots of nice decorations, I buy a new felt decoration most years from there for the DCs

These are cute though our cat keeps taking them off.

https://www.dunelm.com/product/pack-of-3-of-diy-robins-1000191414?defaultSkuId=30774426

Some lovely suggestions already - I’m a bit doom and gloom because what I’ve noticed this year is a hike in prices accompanied by a distinct drop in quality. I’d recommend shopping second hand for the quality alone. But maybe I’m looking in the wrong places.

I think any of these are great investments, as blend into all existing decor, are well-made and durable. Would be used for years. Nice quirky details, too!

(wooden house with real tree lights)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1286545846/christmas-market-house-led-tree-plaque?click_key=e6a077f7469193229d32ac3e1ba5329f02dc4fed%3A1286545846&click_sum=0db9cf1f&ref=shop_home_active_5&pro=1&sts=1

(bunting: wooden cars carrying foliage trees)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/750426543/wooden-car-bunting-and-foliage-bunting?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=rustic+xmas+bunting&ref=sr_gallery-1-32&pro=1&edd=1&sts=1&local_signal_search=1&referrer_page_guid=5d256793-f71d-4349-8966-e8bee56d0e05&organic_search_click=1

(bunting: light-up wooden gingerbread houses)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1365749601/2m-gingerbread-house-wooden-christmas?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=rustic+xmas+bunting&ref=sr_gallery-1-39&pro=1&edd=1&sts=1&local_signal_search=1&referrer_page_guid=5d256793-f71d-4349-8966-e8bee56d0e05&organic_search_click=1

(table decoration)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1295717684/eucalyptus-tea-light-candle-holders?ga_order=price_asc&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=rustic+xmas+decorations&ref=sr_gallery-6-38&pro=1&frs=1&edd=1&sts=1&local_signal_search=1&referrer_page_guid=59988312-26db-49c8-bb39-cd47c971736a&organic_search_click=1&variation0=2882777844

(to hang on wall or tree)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1571204656/handmade-wooden-christmas-decorations?ga_order=price_asc&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=rustic+xmas+decorations&ref=sr_gallery-6-16&frs=1&edd=1&sts=1&local_signal_search=1&referrer_page_guid=59988312-26db-49c8-bb39-cd47c971736a&organic_search_click=1

@Cheeesus those are just what I was looking for...thanks! Simple but effective.

I agree with many of the PPs here, and some great ideas.
Natural materials always look good, I bring in winter foliage from my garden to decorate.
I like white paper snowflakes too- traditional in Nordic countries to make them from plain white paper. Stuck to a window or entrance they are effective, and cast lovely snowflake shadows on sunny days.
Poundshops usually sell folded paper snowflakes too, and are often surprisingly good for other decorations too.
As others have said avoid bright colours, and too much bling.

And check out charity shops- the ones around me have brought out all their christmas stuff, you may find a bargain

Oh wow!! Thank you! Some fabulous ideas here

Use lots of natural foliage - cut holly and ivy and collect pine cones from the woods. cotoneaster or pyrocanthus branches laden with berries. Then add some candles in glass jars and a few large glass decorations

Yes! Take a look here: https://sostrenegrene.com/
really lovely things and very affordable. Sort of Scandi vibes, I think the company is Danish.

Gingerbread cookie dough (supermarkets / Ikea), star shaped cutter, string

I did a tree last year with baubles exclusively from charity shops. Took a couple of hours wandering around the shops. I wanted to do it all at once to make sure all the baubles sort of toned with each other when buying.
I did red and gold which has always been my favourite.
Red, plain baubles, some different sizes. Gold baubles of various shapes and sizes, some glass ones painted with gold pattern. Ended up with loads for a 6 foot tree for about £15.

When I was really skint we used to have the Festive Twig rather than a tree. We would bring a sizeable twiggy branch back from the woods (beech looks best), spray it silver in the back yard (white would look nice too), erect it inside and hang the baubles on that. So maybe a couple of mini Festive Twigs?!

Ivy is great, too- nature's tinsel! It's good twined round the bannisters, and you can attach baubles to it.

I've found some lovely baubles in charity shops over the years- glass 1960s ones, similar to the ones I remember hanging on the tree as a kid.

Werchristmas is great for glass baubles, and they do massive reductions after Christmas

Yes to ivy up bannister etc, looks gorgeous with white strings of lights woven between and baubles. Love the paper snowflake suggestion, we made these as kids with my mum! Might have a go again! You only need printer paper. Cheaper than chips.

If you can find a good source of long straight strands of ivy, it's really easy to make a garland.

Just take 3 (for a spindly one suitable for banister-weaving or framing round doors, pictures etc) or 6 (for a fatter, mantelpiece-appropriate version) strands.

Make sure they aren't all the same length. Secure the cut ends together with a strong elastic band or hair bobble, and start plaiting.

As you get to the last 6 inches or so of each strand, add another one in - the plait will keep them secure.

Stop when you run out of ivy or get bored, and tie in little pine cones, baubles, dried orange slices etc. Combine with some lights and it really does look lovely.

Don't do it more than a week before Christmas or it will all be looking a bit crispy on the day.

I so want to do this. It sounds lovely. Our neighbour cut down the beautiful yew and blue fir trees that we used to get foliage from so I will do ivy plated garlands this year.

All decorations look cheap and tacky just get ones you like.

Helpful

Great thread, loving the ideas.

We have friends who had no money the first Christmas they were together so they cut up newspapers and magazines to make paper chains to decorate their flat. Every year since, they have made paper chains, now with the strips they buy and the children help. They hang them in the hall and as tacky as it sounds they look fabulous every year.

It's worth a look in Poundland, B&M, home bargains etc as there are some real finds to be had (in amongst the tat!) For example, i like small baubles with a string of battery lights in plain glass vases - v low cost from the afore mentioned stores and can be reused. Or mini baubles in cocktail glasses make lovely table decorations. Baubles hung on different lengths of ribbon from eg curtain rails can look fab.

Candles add atmosphere, You can put tea lights in pretty shaped jars, with Christmas ribbon or raffia tied around the neck in a bow.

Agree re natural foliage - if you don't have holly/ivy etc in your garden, ask around your friends or on your local FB page. They spread a lot so am sure people would be happy to share.

Pretty bowls of seasonal sweets and chocolates are decorative too.

Invest in one more expensive decoration each year and your collection will grow over time. TK Maxx / Homesense has been my richest source of these over the years.