If you are looking for a way to save money and decorate Christmas trees in an eco-friendly and sustainable way in 2024, you are in the right place. You will love these five cheap Christmas tree decorating ideas for a rustic woodland theme tree. We have combined dollar tree decorations, DIY projects, foraged, recycled, and thrifted decor.
These 5 Cheap ideas are sustainable, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly decorating options.
Table of contents
- How Can You Decorate Christmas Trees with a low budget?
- What Are The 5 Cheap Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas?
- DIY Christmas Ornaments
- Recycled Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas Rustic
- Foraged Christmas Tree Ornaments
- Cheap Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas – Dollar Tree
- More Cheap Tree Decor – Hobby Lobby
- Thrift Store Vintage Ornaments To Decorate Christmas Trees
How Can You Decorate Christmas Trees with a low budget?
I love a high-end, designer look as much as the next girl. However, I’m very budget-minded and don’t think you have to spend a lot of money to decorate your home.
My tree is very budget-friendly this year, and I think it looks great. I hope you agree.
I’m sharing 5 sustainable and cheap ways to decorate Christmas trees with a rustic woodland theme for 2023.
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What Are The 5 Cheap Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas?
- DIY Ornaments
- Foraged Ornament
- Recycled Ornaments
- Thrifted Christmas Finds
- Dollar Tree Finds & Hobby Lobby Discounted Items
DIY Christmas Ornaments
Let’s begin with a few projects I’ve included on my tree this year. Some projects are new, and a few are from last year.
Simple Dried Orange Ornaments
These simple dried orange and rustic metal star ornaments are made with a metal wire hanger.
For weeks, I have been drying oranges and using them throughout the house. You can see the DIY foraged twig and orange topiaries and last year’s real cedar and orange topiaries.
How To Dry Fruit for Christmas Decorating also shares more ideas.
How Can You Store Dried Orange Ornaments?
After making many DIY projects with dried oranges, I have found that the dried orange decor can be saved from year to year.
This is a cheap way to decorate Christmas trees because they will look good next year if you follow these instructions.
First, you want to store them in a temperature-controlled environment.
I place them in a plastic container or bag and add silica packets. I store them on the top shelf of my pantry, and they look great each year.
Insider Tip
Caution: If any of your ornaments appear to have mold or feel soft, don’t attempt to store them.
Hot Glue DIY Ornaments
Another great DIY Christmas Tree Ornament is these wooden Hot Glue Ornaments.
You can draw any design on the wood pieces and enhance it with paint. Last year, I made several angels and crosses.
The gold paint and dark wax combine to make the hot glue design pop.
In addition, the wood ornaments work well as a gift package topper or a gift back hanger.
You can use any flat wooden surface to create these one-of-a-kind ornaments.
Recycled Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas Rustic
I enjoy making unique ornaments and gift toppers from recycled materials. I recently shared some ideas for 5 DIY Sustainable Gifting Wrapping Package Toppers but quickly realized these can double as cheap Christmas Tree Ornaments. A few tucked into the branches help to make decorating a Christmas tree unique and eco-friendly.
These ornaments are a combination of foraged and recycled scrap fabrics. They are so easy and inexpensive to make.
Foraged Christmas Tree Ornaments
In addition, foraging for pinecones, grapevine, and twigs is another cheap Christmas Tree decorating idea. I shared how to make these 3 Eco-Friendly DIY Ornaments, and I used several designs on the woodland tree. They are basically free to make and so easy.
Cheap Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas – Dollar Tree
The Dollar Tree is an excellent choice for inexpensive Christmas decorations. Shop early to find the best items.
I was thrilled to find some items that will work for the woodland-themed tree this year.
First, the pinecone garland looks so high-end. The tiny frosted pinecones are strung on a rustic metal wire, like the one I used on the DIY ornaments I shared above.
They are great cheap Christmas Tree Ideas for rustic woodland theme decor.
In addition, the frosted stems look just like some I saw for much more in a boutique decor store. They work well with the pheasant feathers I used at the top of the tree.
More Cheap Tree Decor – Hobby Lobby
I love it when a plan comes together.
They had a tree full of white owls at a recent Florist Christmas Open House.
I thought they would be perfect for the woodland theme I had planned. Unfortunately, the little owls were not within my budget.
But look what I found at 60% off at Hobby Lobby. I was able to purchase three owls for approximately the price of one at the Open House.
In addition, these ribbons were also 60% off.
The ribbon and owls were my only splurge for this year’s tree, and they were still a great deal.
They work well with the DIY Wooden Spool Garland on the barn door.
Thrift Store Vintage Ornaments To Decorate Christmas Trees
Using thrift stores and vintage ornaments to decorate Christmas trees is a great way to save money and help reduce waste by recycling old, discarded items.
I’ve been addicted to vintage Shiny Brite ornaments since discovering my first dusty box.
Finding them at great prices has become more challenging, but my first collections were cheap. However, I found a box at Goodwill just after Christmas last year for only $1.00.
In addition, these glass-painted ornaments were another inexpensive thrift store find that I use every year.
These vintage ornaments are very fragile, and I’ve lost a few, which always makes me sad.
Now is the time to check thrift stores, but don’t forget to look after Christmas when everyone donates their old decorations.
See some other Christmas suggestions for shopping secondhand right now.
In addition, the vintage shiny brite ornament boxes hold mini Christmas Trees and elevate the metal reindeer on the entry table.
Everything about these old pieces speaks to my vintage-loving heart; therefore, they are on display.
I filled the vintage olive hod with simple polyfill to make it snowy. The tree is Balsam Hill frosted balsam fir, which I’ve used for several years.
These 5 Sustainable and cheap Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas are easy Rustic Woodland themes and are budget-friendly and economical.
Update
I started making these sustainable ornaments in 2021 and 2022 and have pulled them out each Christmas since. They are not only made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials, but they will last for years. Here’s what they look like in 2024.
I hope you find some helpful tips for economical Christmas Tree decorating that you can use.
Pin It To Remember It
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Donna
Sunday 10th of November 2024
This is sooo beautiful! I was looking for ideas for a smaller tree now that I have very limited space and this is a perfect idea…where did you find the vintage olive hod? And is that metal or wood? I love the idea of putting the small tree in a container as a decorative base. Please let me know or if you have any other ideas for a tree base I’d sure welcome them 😊
Rachel
Wednesday 13th of November 2024
Donna, I purchased the hod several years ago at a barn sale and haven't ran across once since. I use all types of containers from vintage shifters, to wooden crates and crocks. Anything will hold the tree is what I say. If you search on my site for Christmas Trees or even Christmas decorations, you will see more ideas.
Amy
Monday 27th of November 2023
Great ideas! And beautiful! How do you get your tree to stand in the olive hod? And how tall is your tree? Thanks!
Rachel
Monday 27th of November 2023
Amy, The tree has a metal base and we added a wooden riser to keep it steady. The tree is 6 1/2 feet.
Stacy Ling
Wednesday 8th of November 2023
So beautiful!
Rachel
Saturday 11th of November 2023
Stacy, I appreciate you.
Kim
Tuesday 7th of November 2023
Your tree is so pretty, Rachel. I like budget-friendly, too!
Rachel
Wednesday 8th of November 2023
Thanks to so much Kim!
Jennifer Howard
Tuesday 7th of November 2023
You know I love a good DIY ornament! You have so many cute ones on your tree.
Rachel
Wednesday 8th of November 2023
Jennifer, Thanks lady!