20 holiday decor ideas that are both cheap and easy

Nothing says the holiday season more effectively than a string of twinkling lights. Add lights to your home's bookshelves, even the potted plants, for an extra touch of cozy during the holidays.

If you find yourself with a surplus of sparkly balls and other ornaments, use them in your decor! Fill a decorative bowl with ornaments and display it on the coffee table, or string a few to make a fun DIY garland. 

Head outdoors for totally free decor that will bring natural elements into your home. Scour your backyard and nearby parks for colorful leaves, acorns, evergreen needles, and pinecones, and arrange them into bowls or vases for a chic holiday look. 

Wreaths at the craft store can be pricey, but they're pretty easy to make at home on your own. Grab a wreath form, some ribbon, and evergreen garland, and decorate to your heart's content. You can also make a wreath entirely from fabric or even popsicle sticks. 

Nothing says nostalgia like a popcorn garland, which has to be one of the world's cheapest holiday decorations. Using thread, a needle, and plenty of freshly popped popcorn, you can make a garland that adds plenty of kitsch and charm to your Christmas tree. Check out this tutorial from the Pioneer Woman here. 

Crafting DIY holiday ornaments with the kids is an easy and fun way to make memories this time of year. Using a basic salt dough recipe and a few holiday-themed cookie cutters, your little ones can create their own ornaments that will look great on the tree. 

Thanks to their striking look, candy canes can be used in a ton of ways to decorate during the holidays. Consider making a DIY wreath with candy canes and hot glue, or simply hang a few from your holiday tree for a little extra oomph. 

These tiny beads that expand after being soaked in water are perfect for making holiday candle displays that look like they're floating. All you'll need is a tall hurricane vase, holiday-themed votive candles, and water. Once the vase is filled with water, the water beads disappear completely, and the candles look like they're floating in mid-air. 

For a throwback to your elementary school days, get out the scissors and white paper to make your own snowflakes. They're easy to fold and create and can be strung on a garland or attached to a window for a little extra whimsy in your home this season. 

Everyone's got extra wrapping paper this time of year, and it's the perfect way to make an easy table runner for just a couple of dollars. Check out this tutorial, find your favorite wrapping paper, and don't be afraid to change it up a few times this season. 

Whether you keep it simple with an envelope system or go all-out with a series of intricately hand-folded boxes, making an advent calendar at home is a fun way to celebrate the holidays. Fill it with candy or small toys, and prepare to embrace the magic until Christmas Day. 

Even if your sewing skills are totally weak, making a DIY stocking at home is easier than you think — and you won't need to sew at all. All you'll need is a little cute fabric and a few craft supplies, and you can have a totally custom stocking that you'll cherish for years to come. 

From potpourri to garlands, dried citrus adds a chic touch to traditional holiday decor. Crank your oven down as low as it will go, slice a few oranges, and allow them to dry on a cookie sheet for a few hours. Once the slices are dry, the possibilities are endless. If you want a little color variety, consider drying different types of oranges, from navel to Cara Cara. 

You don't have to be a great baker to make a festive gingerbread house this time of year. Score an inexpensive kit at your grocery store, or bake the whole thing from scratch before decorating with gumdrops, peppermints, and other edible baubles. 

Thanks to their striking red color, cranberries are an obvious choice for holiday decor. Pair them with dried citrus in a potpourri bowl, or make a fun and wintry centerpiece with Epsom salt, cranberries, votive candles, and a little greenery that's perfect for the holiday table. 

No-sew throws have been all the rage in recent years, and for good reason: all you need to know how to do to make them is tie a knot. JoAnn Fabrics even sells no-sew blanket kits with cozy fleece in holiday-themed prints like snowflakes and buffalo plaid. 

When all else fails, add glitter. A little glitter can add a ton of oomph to any decorative scheme, whether you're adding a little shimmer to basic tree ornaments or making your votive candleholders twinkle. 

If you've got a few small empty jars lying around, making your own snow globes is easy. Attach a plastic figurine, like a snowman or elf, to the inside of the lid, then fill the jar with water and a sprinkle of glitter and fake snow for a fun decorative piece that you'll be shaking up all season long. 

If you've got a ton of holiday cards in the mail, don't just stick them up on the refrigerator! Use a length of twine and clothespins to hang them across the mantle for a fun display, or make a DIY Christmas card hanger to show them off on the wall. 

Candles are an essential part of making your space look and feel cozy during the holiday season. Find tapers and votives in colors and scents that fit the season, and arrange them amongst your decor to give everything a warm glow.