How To Decorate A Christmas Tree On A Budget

This post is a sponsored collaboration with Lowe’s Home Improvement: As always all opinions are 100% truthful and my own

I don’t know what it is, but this holiday season feels unique, special in a way. I have a pre-teen, a middle schooler and a preschooler, they are so widespread in their ages that sometimes there is a disconnect. But, something about the holidays brings them together. They all get a little excited, they all want to see Santa (cause you know, if you don’t believe you don’t receive) and they all “Ooed and Ahhed” when they saw the finished Christmas Tree. For the past 15 years we have gotten a real tree and decorated them to the max. But, it adds up. Gosh, if I calculated 15 years of fresh trees and decor, it is differently in the thousands. So, this year, I told the kids we are getting an artificial tree, that we can use for years to come and, I told them that I not only promise to make it special, but prove I can decorate a christmas tree on a budget.

How To Decorate A Christmas Tree On A Budget

The most costly item will be the artificial tree. But, at Lowe’s Home Improvement they have a wide selection of artificial trees and they are also on sale.

I opted for the 7ft Dunhill Fir Tree and it looked great right out of the box. BUT, I really wanted a white tree. Not those all white trees that are more modern than traditional, and not really those overly frosted trees. I just wanted a shimmer of white to feel like it was glistened with snow.

So, I decided to use Krylon Colormaxx Satin Bright White Spray Paint.

Tips when spray painting an artificial tree:

1. Unbox the tree BUT before you lower all the branches. Lightly paint the interior poles
2. Then, lower the first tower
3. Spray paint
4. Lower the second tower
5. Spray paint
6. REPEAT till you get to the last tower
7. Then, lightly move around the tree with the spray paint 6 inches away
8. Lastly, heavily spray paint the tips only (see photo below)

You can see in the second photo below that the entire tree has one light coat to taper out the green. Then a heavier coat at the tips.

ADDING THE MAIN TRIMMING

To decorate a christmas tree on a budget I opted to skip the ornaments. Instead, I grabbed Holiday Living Buffalo Check ribbons, Brown Scented Pinecones, Holiday Frosted Berry Branches and Vickerman White LED Lights. Lowe’s Home Improvement has scented pinecones, a vast selection of holiday ribbon’s for all styles and color trends, plus, a great selection of different style berries.

Now, a few tips when adding ribbon to the tree:

1. Cut ribbon into long 20-24-inch sections AND
2. Cut ribbon into a few shorter 10-inch sections
3. Add the longer strand ribbon, beginning at the top, in a criss-cross
4. Moving from top to bottom and around the tree
5. Tuck the top of a ribbon strand between branches, make a loose large concave curve and tuck the bottom into the two lower branches.
6. Do not keep it straight, curve them left then right, repeat
7. Tree is covered with longer sections, then go back and use the smaller sections to tuck between empty spots, gives it a complete look

FINISHING TOUCHES TO DECORATE A CHRISTMAS TREE ON A BUDGET

When it comes to decorating in general, MORE is always better. So I knew I needed to add enhancements to the tree. Adding the garnish while decorating a Christmas tree on a budget is actually easy, as pinecones and berry’s are true to the holidays and can fit any budget.

I purchased full branches (as you will get more berries from branches). Then, simply pulled each branch out of the main stem. See below. Then, tucked the berry branches in the empty spots of the tree. I placed a pine cone close to the tucked in branch.

It might seem a little odd to have random pinecones by themselves, so I kept them close to the berry branches.

HOW DO HIDE THE BASE OF THE TREE

A tree skirt works and Lowe’s Home Improvement has a great selection of tree skirts. However, if you want to decorate a christmas tree on a budget, or stay under budget, simply purchase a Jumbo Gift Bag, Wrapping Paper, and Ribbons.

Place the tree stand into the jumbo gift bag. Then, using mailing boxes, or moving boxes, wrap them as christmas gifts. Surround the bottom of the tree with the staged presents.

I decorated my tree when the kids were at school. They all come home amazed! They actually said it was their favorite tree so far! And honestly, I am loving it the most too! Wanna shop the post, just scroll down and Happy Holidays!

SHOP THE POST

Krylon General Spray Paint // Vickerman White LED Lights // Ribbons // Holiday Living Flocked Berry Branches // 7-ft Dunhill Fir Artificial Christmas Tree // Holiday Living Buffalo Check Pillow // Brown Pine Cones Decorations

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