I’ve made holiday decorations from things sitting around my house, and honestly, it is one of the easiest projects you can tackle. You probably have most of what you need already tucked away in cabinets and closets. Let me walk you through how I put mine together.
First, I pick two or three colors that feel right to me. For my last setup, I went with deep green, cream, and copper because those colors are calming and work with what I already owned. Once you choose your palette, start looking through your home for containers and bases—cutting boards, glass jars, bowls, wooden boxes, anything with height or interesting texture.
A trip to the dollar store gets you affordable greenery and ornaments that fill out your arrangement without spending much. I usually grab about three small bunches of eucalyptus or faux evergreen branches for around four dollars total.
Now comes the fun part: layering. I take a wooden cutting board as my base, then add a metal candle holder or two, layer in greenery, and tuck dried citrus slices or small ornaments into the gaps. The mix of materials—wood, metal, natural branches, and shiny ornaments—creates visual interest without looking cluttered.
String some fairy lights through the arrangement for soft lighting. I use the warm white kind because they feel cozier than bright white. Vary your heights by placing items on cake stands, small lanterns, or stacked books underneath so nothing looks flat or one-dimensional.
Keep things fresh by swapping out smaller elements every week or so—maybe rotate in some pinecones one week and swap them for ribbon the next. Small changes prevent the whole display from feeling stale as the season goes on.
Pick Your Holiday Decoration Colors and Theme
Before you start gathering materials and ornaments, spend a little time thinking about the colors and overall vibe you’re going for. It makes the whole process easier, and honestly, it’s kind of fun to sit down and plan this stuff out.
I’ve found that picking 2–3 coordinating hues creates a polished look that ties everything together. Maybe you’re drawn to natural greenery paired with warm gold accents, or perhaps citrus and spice tones appeal to you more. A clear theme—whether woodland textures or something brighter—guides your entire project and helps you stay focused when you’re shopping.
I like balancing warm and cool tones to add depth. Gold with deep green, or cream with blue, creates nice contrast that keeps things interesting without feeling chaotic. Once you’ve settled on your palette, you’ll feel confident choosing materials that belong together. Decorating feels less overwhelming and a lot more fun when everything actually goes together.
Use Household Items for DIY Decorations
I’ve figured out that my best holiday decorations are already sitting in my kitchen cabinets and dining room. All I need to do is look at everyday items—wooden cutting boards, mason jars, bowls—like they’re something new.
Here’s what works: I mix different textures together. Wood, metal, glass, and some greenery from around the house layer depth without costing anything. A wooden cutting board becomes a base. A candle adds height, maybe 6 to 8 inches tall. Then I add dried citrus peels—thin slices from lemons or oranges—to bring warmth to the whole thing.
The pieces I use tell something real about who I am because they’re actually mine, not something I bought just for decoration. A charger plate that normally sits in my dining room cabinet works as a foundation for smaller items. I’ve stacked a mason jar next to it and tucked sprigs of dried herbs in between. That’s it. Nothing fancy, nothing staged.
The best part is that these arrangements work because they’re practical first and pretty second. I’m not buying anything special or pretending to be someone I’m not. I’m just putting together things I already use and live with every day.
Shop Your Home First
Your kitchen cabinets and closets are already stocked with holiday decorating supplies—you just need to look at them differently. Before I spent any money, I started surveying what I actually had: bowls, baskets, trays, and jars taking up space. What I found surprised me: clear glass vases I’d completely forgotten about, wooden cutting boards collecting dust, and mismatched candles tucked into the back of drawers.
I began pairing these everyday items with natural elements like evergreen trimmings, citrus peels, pomegranates, and cinnamon sticks. The combinations looked intentional and personal because they actually were—pulled together thoughtfully from what mattered to me. My centerpieces ended up textured and layered, the kind that look carefully put together without actually costing much.
Mix Textures And Materials
Once you’ve gathered your found items, the real magic happens when you start combining them intentionally. I’ve discovered that layering different textures creates depth that makes my centerpieces feel inviting and alive.
Here’s what I do:
- Stack cutting boards with evergreen trimmings and dried orange slices for natural dimension
- Arrange tall candles beside mid-height lanterns, anchoring low greenery at the base
- Weave burlap ribbons through wood pieces, glass holders, and fabric toppers
- Add warm white lighting to highlight metallic accents without overwhelming the natural elements
I keep my color palette tight—usually two to three colors—which makes everything feel cohesive rather than chaotic. The contrast between rough wood, smooth glass, soft fabric, and delicate herb sprigs is what keeps my eye engaged. This balance turns ordinary household items into something worth displaying on your table.
Repurpose Kitchen And Dining Items
The best holiday decorations are often already sitting in your kitchen cabinets. You don’t need to buy anything fancy because what you have at home can do the job perfectly well.
Wooden cutting boards work great as centerpiece bases. I anchor mine with tall candles or mini lanterns and layer greenery around them. This approach feels intentional and personal without requiring any special purchases.
I also make a simple vase arrangement using herbs and spices I already have on hand—rosemary, thyme, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices all together. The aroma fills my whole dining space, and the cost is basically nothing.
For something even easier, I dehydrate orange slices at 200°F for 2.5 to 3 hours, then string them as garlands. Wrapping twine around mason jar lids transforms everyday items into reusable ornaments that I’ll keep and use year after year.
Stock Up on Dollar Store Essentials: Ornaments, Greenery, and Ribbon
I’ve found my best holiday deals at the dollar store, and honestly, it’s where I spend most of my decorating budget. Stocking up on a few key items means I can fill my home with thoughtful décor without spending much money at all.
Here’s what I always grab:
Faux greenery in neutral shades. I pick up garland and loose stems in cream, sage green, and soft gray. These colors work with whatever else I’m using, so I’m never stuck with something that clashes.
Ornaments in 2 to 3 colors. I choose colors that go together—like burgundy, gold, and cream—and buy several of each. This keeps my tree or garland looking put-together instead of random.
Ribbon in different textures. A few yards of velvet ribbon, wired ribbon, and burlap ribbon let me tie things together literally and visually. I use them on garlands, around centerpieces, and even to hang ornaments.
Mini lanterns and faux stems. These pieces fill in gaps and add layers to arrangements. A lantern is usually 3 to 4 inches tall, and the stems come in various heights from 6 to 18 inches.
The real work happens when I layer these pieces with fresh stuff. I add fresh herbs from my kitchen, dried citrus slices, and cranberries. That’s what makes the dollar store finds feel intentional and thoughtful. The trick is pairing budget pieces with natural elements and sticking to a color plan. When those pieces work together, the whole display feels put-together.
Build Your Centerpiece on a Cutting Board
I’ve found that a wooden cutting board works as the perfect base for a holiday centerpiece, especially since it fits right into my kitchen-dining setup without looking out of place. The whole thing comes together faster than you’d think, and it gives you a contained space to work with instead of spreading decorations all over the table.
Start by placing one tall piece in the center—I usually use a candle or a small potted plant—to give your eye somewhere to land. This anchor piece should be about 8 to 12 inches tall so it actually draws attention without overwhelming the board itself.
Once that’s set, layer faux greenery, berries, and stems around the edges and in the gaps between your centerpiece and the board’s border. I work my way outward in a circle, filling as I go, which keeps everything looking intentional rather than like I just threw stuff down randomly. The greenery fills out the empty spaces and makes the whole thing feel fuller.
Now comes the fun part—filling the remaining gaps with small ornaments, bells, and pinecones in colors that work together. I stick with either red and green or pink and gold, which means I’m not hunting for random accent pieces. Grab 6 to 10 ornaments, maybe 4 or 5 bells, and a small handful of pinecones, then tuck them into your greenery.
If you want extra warmth, weave in a strand of mini twinkle lights through the arrangement. A 20-light battery-powered string works well for a standard 18-by-24-inch cutting board without looking crowded.
Dehydrated Orange Garland and Pomanders: Two Essential Projects
I somehow went years without making these, but once I started, I couldn’t believe how easy they are. Dried orange garlands and pomanders fill your home with a natural citrus scent, and they cost next to nothing to make.
Here’s the process for dried orange slices. Slice your oranges into ¼-inch rounds and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Arrange them on a baking sheet and bake at 200°F for 2.5 to 3 hours, flipping them halfway through so they dry evenly. Once they’re cool enough to handle, thread them onto twine with fresh cranberries for a simple garland you can drape across mantels or doorways.
For pomanders, you’ll need whole cloves and firm oranges or lemons. Poke small holes all over the fruit and insert a clove into each hole, spacing them close together or in patterns depending on what you like. Wrap ribbon around the finished pomanders and hang them throughout the house where the scent can fill the rooms.
What really gets me about this project is how little it requires. You’re using basic supplies most people have around their kitchen, and the results look thoughtful and homemade in the best way. The dried slices attach easily to any store-bought greenery, and the pomanders work as both decoration and natural air fresheners. This is genuinely festive décor that feels personal without demanding much from you.
Add Fresh Herbs and Natural Elements to Decorations
Once you’ve got dried oranges and pomanders down, fresh herbs and natural elements open up a whole new side of holiday decorating. I want to show you how to use what you probably already have in your kitchen to make your home smell and look better.
Rosemary, thyme, and sage do way more than flavor your dinner. When I arranged a bunch of fresh rosemary sprigs with cranberries, orange slices, and a few candles in a low bowl, my living room actually smelled like the holidays. The same goes for cinnamon sticks and whole cloves scattered through your centerpieces. These small touches bring that warm, cozy feeling people expect during this time of year without any fuss.
Here’s what I do that takes about ten minutes: fill a small pot with water, add 2-3 cinnamon sticks, a handful of fresh rosemary, 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries, and 2-3 orange slices. Simmer it on low heat while you’re home, and the smell drifts through your whole house. You can refill the pot as the water evaporates, keeping it going all season.
Mixing natural elements together creates something that feels real and personal. Store-bought decorations are fine, but herbs and fruit from your own kitchen carry a different weight. The whole project reminds you of why you’re decorating in the first place—to feel connected to the season and the people around you.
Combine Wood, Metal, and Greenery for Depth
Now that your space smells good and feels warm, it’s time to think about how your decorations will actually look from across the room. I’ve found that combining wood, metal, and greenery creates the depth that makes a centerpiece feel put-together.
Combining wood, metal, and greenery creates the depth that transforms a centerpiece into something truly put-together.
Here’s my approach:
Start with a wooden cutting board as your base—something around 12 by 16 inches works well and grounds everything. Add metal candle holders or lanterns for height, placing taller pieces toward the back so shorter elements don’t get hidden. Layer fresh greenery around the edges, tucking in cinnamon sticks for texture. Finish with small details like ornaments or pinecones in the spaces between.
The real trick is varying those heights and mixing soft evergreen stems with copper or iron accents. You’re creating dimension that pulls people’s eyes across different planes—from the wood base up through the metal pieces and then across to the greenery. That’s when your centerpiece actually feels complete.
Add Lighting to Your Holiday Decoration Displays
What really makes a centerpiece memorable is lighting. I’ve found that warm white LED lights create that cozy glow I want when people come over, and I’ve developed a few reliable techniques that work every time.
My go-to approach is weaving micro-LED twinkle lights through dried orange garlands and evergreen runners. The lights give everything a festive shimmer that feels celebratory without being over the top. I also love draping battery-powered fairy lights inside mason jars to illuminate ornaments and make translucent pieces sparkle. The soft light brings out natural textures like wood and greenery without drowning them out.
When I’m arranging the display, I think about height. Pairing tall candleholders with low greenery and string lights at different levels creates visual balance across the whole thing. Nothing looks flat or one-dimensional that way.
The best part is putting the lights on timers. That way the ambiance stays consistent while I’m actually spending time with people instead of fussing with switches.
Balance Your Holiday Decorations With Varied Heights
Why do some displays look so polished while others feel cramped and cluttered? The secret’s in playing with heights. When I arrange my Christmas decorations, I layer them strategically to guide the eye naturally across the space.
My approach is pretty straightforward. I place tall candle holders or lanterns at the back or ends to anchor the display. Then I set medium-height pieces like orange garland in the middle sections. The shorter ornaments and salt dough crafts go toward the front. I also use cake stands to elevate lower items and add dimension to the arrangement.
I alternate materials too—mixing wood, glass, and metal keeps things interesting without feeling overdone. Grouping items in odd numbers creates focal points that feel intentional rather than random.
This method works because your eye has something to follow. Instead of everything sitting flat at the same level, the varying heights pull your gaze across the mantel naturally. It’s easier than you’d think, and the difference is noticeable.
Refresh Your Decorations Throughout the Season
Here’s the thing about holiday decorating—once your display feels balanced and intentional, the real fun starts when you actually keep changing it up. I refresh my decorations every week or two by swapping out focal pieces like evergreen runners and pine cone bowls, which keeps everything looking fresh without burning me out.
I stick to 2–3 colors that work together naturally. Red, green, and gold are my go-to combination, but you could just as easily use silver, white, and blue or cream and burgundy. The key is mixing different textures—wood, greenery, and glass together—so your eye has something interesting to land on no matter where you look.
For my centerpiece updates, I introduce small details that don’t require much effort. Dried orange garlands draped over a wreath, cinnamon sticks tucked into an arrangement, or a simple swap of pillar candles from one spot to another. These tweaks feel intentional without demanding a complete redesign.
My routine is straightforward. Every week or so, I swap out one garland or move a bowl of pinecones to a new shelf. Halfway through the season, I add a few new small elements or rotate what I already have. This prevents that tired, stale feeling while keeping your space cohesive and seasonal from December through early January.
