Things can get pretty pricey around Christmas, but you don’t need a small cash loan to get into the festive spirit. Our list of 20 cheap Christmas decoration ideas has everything you need for a budget-friendly Christmas in NZ. Whether you’re looking to decorate the house or create the perfect table for Christmas dinner, make your home festive and joyful without breaking the bank!

 

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DIY Christmas decorations for a festive feel

Christmas isn’t just about gift giving, it’s also about having fun and there’s nothing more fun than decorating for a holiday! For tips and tricks on decorating your home for Christmas, check out these DIY Christmas decoration ideas below.

Crochet Christmas decorations

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: crochet christmas decorations | Swoosh Finance

Crochet ornaments like stars, mini trees, or snowflakes are timeless and cosy. These handmade creations add a personal touch to your holiday decor and double as great handmade Christmas gifts for friends and family. Plus, it’s a great way to make use of any leftover yarn you may have hanging around.

Festive window art

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: festive window art | Swoosh Finance

Draw festive scenes or write holiday messages with chalk markers on your windows. Snowflakes, stars, and Christmas trees are easy to create and will add instant cheer. Plus, they’re easy to wipe off after the holidays. This doubles as a great activity for the kids and can help keep them entertained when school holidays begin!

Felt Christmas decorations

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: Christmas felt decorations | Swoosh Finance

Cut out Christmas shapes like stars, trees, or stockings from felt, available in various colours at craft stores. These felt decorations are soft, reusable, and kid-friendly. You can also use your festive felt creations to make advent calendars.

Cardboard lanterns

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: cardboard lanterns | Swoosh Finance

Make charming lanterns by cutting shapes in cardboard, painting them, and adding battery-powered tealights inside. They create a warm, welcoming glow and can be arranged on the mantel or as a centrepiece. This is a great arts and crafts project that the whole family can participate in.

Toilet paper rolls

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: toilet paper rolls | Swoosh Finance

Toilet paper rolls are versatile for making budget-friendly decorations. Paint them to resemble Santa, reindeer, or mini gift boxes. They’re fun to make with kids and bring an upcycled charm to your home.

Popsicle stick ornaments

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: popsicle stick ornaments | Swoosh Finance

Popsicle sticks are perfect for crafting stars, snowflakes, or mini Christmas trees. Paint them, add glitter, or tie with twine to hang on your Christmas tree or around the house.

Mason jars

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: mason jars | Swoosh Finance

Mason jars are an inexpensive way to create that magical Christmas feeling around your home. Simply fill mason jars with fairy lights, pinecones, or baubles, and wrap the top with ribbon for an extra festive touch. These jars can be used as centrepieces, lanterns, or on shelves for a warm, cosy glow. If you’re feeling really creative, grab some paint from your local hardware or craft store and paint your jars with Christmas patterns.

Paper creations

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: paper creations | Swoosh Finance

Paper is a cheap yet versatile material for Christmas decor. Try making paper stars, chain garlands, or 3D snowflakes. They’re easy to make with kids, and paper decorations add a classic touch to your home.

Gingerbread house

 

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: gingerbread house | Swoosh Finance

Building a gingerbread house is both a fun activity and a charming decoration. Customise it with colourful candies and icing, and place it on your table as a centrepiece or display it on your kitchen counter. It’s a fun way to bond with your family without using your credit card to do it!

Macramé Christmas angels

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: macrame christmas angels | Swoosh Finance

Add a bohemian touch with macramé Christmas angels. Use macramé techniques to create angel ornaments that bring natural texture and a handcrafted feel to your Christmas decorations. These little creations make great Christmas gifts for work colleagues that won’t hurt your budget.

 

Best budget-friendly Christmas table decorations

Food always brings people together and even more so on Christmas. Decorating your dinner table for Christmas lunch or dinner can be a simple way to bring holiday cheer to your celebration, without the need to overspend! We’ve got some low cost hacks to make your Christmas table shine this year.

Mini fruit cakes

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: mini fruit cakes | Swoosh Finance

Mini fruit cakes are a festive, edible decoration that can double as a treat for guests. Wrap them in cellophane or arrange them on a decorative plate to add a nostalgic and delicious touch to your table.

Gingerbread Christmas cookies

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: gingerbread christmas cookies | Swoosh Finance

Decorate gingerbread cookies in festive shapes like stars, trees, reindeer, or even wreaths. Display them on a plate as a centrepiece or gift them to guests as they leave. They’re as decorative as they are tasty. Best of all, they’re inexpensive to make and easy to make in bulk!

Poinsettia flowers

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: poinsettia flowers | Swoosh Finance

Poinsettia flowers have become an unofficial symbol of the holiday season. These vibrant plants are typically available at hardware stores, plant nurseries, and even supermarkets leading up to Christmas. They make for an affordable and natural Christmas centrepiece that’s easy to add to your table.

Present boxes

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: present boxes | Swoosh Finance

Wrap small boxes with holiday wrapping paper and place them around the table as decor. These can hold tiny treats for guests or simply add a pop of colour to your table setting. Not only is this decoration free, but it’s also a great way to upcycle any cardboard boxes you’ve got lying around.

Candles

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: candles | Swoosh Finance

Nothing says Christmas like the warm glow of candle light. Arrange red, green, and white candles on your table for a traditional look. You can also use battery operated candles which should be available at your local discount store.

Wreaths

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: wreaths | Swoosh Finance

Wreaths are a classic Christmas decoration for the front door, but they’re also great for dinner tables. Place a small wreath in the centre of your table. Decorate it with pine cones, berries, or ornaments for a natural look, or add ribbon and bells for a pop of colour.

Christmas baubles

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: baubles | Swoosh Finance

Baubles aren’t just for trees; use extra ornaments as table decorations by filling a bowl or vase with them, or just sprinkle them around the table. They add colour and sparkle to your table in a simple, affordable way.

Tinsel

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: tinsel | Swoosh Finance

We’ve all got old or left over tinsel hanging around in our decoration boxes. Add sparkle to your dinner table by putting tinsel along the length of your table, around individual place settings, or around platters of food. Tinsel is affordable, easy to find, and instantly adds a festive feel to any space.

Folded napkins

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: folded napkins | Swoosh Finance

Get creative with napkins by folding them into Christmas tree or star shapes. This simple yet elegant touch will bring a smile to guests and add a Christmassy accent to your table without draining your savings.

Mini Christmas trees

20 Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas NZ: mini Christmas trees | Swoosh Finance

Arrange mini Christmas trees along the table or place them at each setting. Mini Christmas trees can be bought inexpensively from local discount stores. Decorate them with small baubles or ribbons for added charm.

With these budget-friendly ideas, you can transform your home for the holidays without spending a fortune.

 

Looking to make this Christmas the one to remember? Swoosh has you covered!

Make this Christmas unforgettable with a small cash loan from Swoosh. Our application process is quick, straightforward, and free of hidden fees. Apply online today!

 

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