Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year but between holiday parties + gift-giving to extended travel plans + family gatherings, it can be exceptionally difficult to stick to a budget.  Don't worry, decorating your home for the holidays doesn't have to bite into your chocolate fund!  Here are some simple ways to bring Christmas home this season, without breaking the bank.

1.  FIND FRESH GREENERY

Get outside and track down some fresh greenery such as pine, juniper, cedar, and birch.  Even dry caragana branches can be beautiful, especially the dark ones that have a bit of moss growing on them.  I'm lucky to have a family farm where I can forage some foliage but even backyard trees and bushes can yield beautiful greenery.  Make sure not to cut from trees that aren't yours unless you've asked permission from the owner.  And - major bonus - when it's time for clean up, they won't consume valuable storage space in your home!

The garland in the photo below is handmade entirely from fresh clippings from the farm, interlaced with some affordable cedar boughs from Wildflower Florist.

2.  RE-PURPOSE YOUR OLD FAVORITES

This gold urchin is one of my favorite accessories all year long but looks especially festive paired with some snowy pine sprigs on our vintage trunk that double as a coffee table.  In your own home, try borrowing accessories from other rooms and moving them around to see what combinations you can come up with.  Sometimes all it takes is adding in one or two holiday-themed pieces into what you already have to make the whole room feel more festive.  If you're stuck for ideas, try grouping metallic silver and gold accents along a mantle or try adding in textured baskets, faux fur, and cable-knit throws for a more subdued look. 

3.  GET YOUR CRAFT ON

I don't know about you, but when I find ultra-pretty wrapping paper, it hurts a tiny bit to watch someone rip it to shreds.  Only half kidding, but nonetheless why not keep a corner for yourself?  For a super easy and budget friendly Christmas do-it-yourself, find your favorite picture frame or two (even better if it's one you already have!) and switch out the photos for a swatch of that gorgeous wrapping paper you can't quite bear to part with!  Simple and affordable!

4.  GO VINTAGE

I often incorporate vintage pieces into a room for their time-worn aesthetic and the depth they add to a space.  Above, vintage golden candlesticks bring warmth and variety to a bathroom vignette.  Keep your eyes open for pieces that can be used in your home by being re-purposed or modified instead of being sent to the landfill.  The goal here isn't perfection but rather interest and texture!  If browsing for long lost treasures is your jam, stop in at Fresh Vintage in Swift Current for a plethora of vintage goodness.

5.  PICK UP SOME PINE CONES

One of the most affordable ways to help turn your home into a winter wonderland is very simple... mix in some found or purchased pine cones.  I often put out pine cones in fall and use them in my home until the weather starts to feel like spring.  This year I have them sitting in a vintage footed brass bowl and they smell amazing!

6.  STAY SIMPLE

My personal favorite Christmas decorating tip - keep it simple!  It doesn't take long to feel bombarded by advertising and overwhelmed with to-do lists this time of year so create a comfortable, restful environment at home by keeping the decor understated and remembering the real reason for the season this Christmas.

For more Christmas decor inspiration, check out the Farmer's Daughter 'Christmas' board on Pinterest...

https://www.pinterest.com/fdinteriors/c-h-r-i-s-t-m-a-s/