Every year I promise I’ll skip buying new decorations but somehow I still end up spending more than planned. But this year, I started looking at what could be reused or made from what’s already lying around. So in this post I am sharing Simple Christmas Outdoor Decor Yard Decorations You Can Do On A Budget.
You don’t need a big budget to make your yard look festive, just a few clever tweaks and things you already own. Whether you have leftover pasta jars, scrap ribbon, old ornaments and some branches in the garden – I’ll show you how you can decorate them on a budget!
1 | String Lights on Bare Trees
Bare branches actually look great with simple string lights. If you’ve got a small tree out front that lost its leaves early, wrap it loosely with warm white lights.
Don’t worry too much about even spacing, it looks more natural when it’s not perfect.
The trick is to wind them high enough so it glows from every angle. Plug them into a timer so you’re not running outside in your slippers every night.
2 | Old Sled by the Porch
If you happen to have an old wooden sled tucked away, this one’s easy.
Just lean it against the porch railing and throw a plaid blanket over one side.
Even if the sled’s a little chipped, that makes it better because it looks rustic and well loved. You can pop a small lantern beside it and call it done.
3 | Wreaths on Fence Posts
You don’t need a big front door to make wreaths work.
Hang smaller ones on each fence post instead.
It breaks up the space and adds that little pop of green against the wood. You can add little bows to each wreath in red, purple or burlap will look great against the green.
4 | Lit-Up Pathway Jars Budget Christmas Outdoor Yard Decorations
You can line your walkway with old mason jars or even pasta sauce jars filled with battery lights.
They give a soft, flickering look without the worry of open flames.
My mom always did this with tea lights, but I switched to the battery ones after the wind kept blowing them out.
If you have sand or salt, pop a little in the bottom so they don’t tip. Salt will look like snow, which will give it that extra Christmassy feel.
It’s simple, looks welcoming, and perfect for winter!
5 | Candy Cane Stakes
Those plastic candy canes you see everywhere can actually look decent if you group them.
Try lining them along one side of your driveway instead of everywhere.
My neighbour did it last year, and it gave her yard this fun, old-school vibe, like something from a 90s movie.
They’re bright enough that you don’t need extra lights nearby. Just make sure to push them deep into the ground so they don’t wobble after a storm.
6 | Faux Snow on Bushes
If you’ve got evergreen shrubs, grab a can of faux snow spray.
It’s a bit messy, but faux snow is cheap and the effect’s worth it.
Just mist the tops lightly so it looks like frost instead of a blizzard hit.
If you want something glowy then you can tuck tiny fairy lights inside for the evening. It’s low-effort but will look great!
You can hose it off later when you’re over it.
7 | Old Chair with Presents Budget Christmas Outdoor Yard Decorations
Pull out a wooden chair you don’t mind getting a bit weathered.
Wrap a few empty boxes in leftover paper and stack them on the seat.
Add a bow or a bit of tinsel, whatever’s lying around.
You can stick a “Merry Christmas” sign nearby to tie it all together. It’s quick and surprisingly cheerful.
A simple but festive Budget Christmas Outdoor Yard Decoration.
8 | Porch Rail Garland
If your porch has railings, wind a simple garland around them. It doesn’t need to be thick or fancy.
Add a few ornaments or ribbon bits – even mismatched ones work.
I’ve seen people mix pine with eucalyptus and it looked nice, especially when the wind moved through it. A string of white lights woven through helps it glow just enough.
P.S: If a section sags, honestly, no one will notice from the street.
9 | Reindeer Silhouette Cutouts Budget Christmas Outdoor Yard Decoration
You can find simple plywood cutouts of reindeer shapes or make your own.
Paint them white or silver and stick them in the yard like they’re mid-run. Wrap weatherproof outdoor battery fairy lights around them for a nightime glow.
Just remember to secure them if your area gets windy as they are light and will fly!
10 | Hanging Ornaments from Trees
You don’t need a huge tree for this. Even a small one near your porch can look good with oversized ornaments hanging from the branches.
Try mixing colors you already have instead of buying new ones.
It’s a simple Christmas outdoor decor yard decoration that looks great and is budget friendly!
11 | Santa Hat on the Mailbox
This one’s silly but is a great Budget Christmas Outdoor Yard Decoration.
Slip a Santa hat over your mailbox and maybe add a bit of garland underneath.
It’s cheerful and costs almost nothing.
If it rains a lot where you live, maybe stick with a waterproof fabric version.
12 | Front Door Lantern Cluster
Gather three or four lanterns in different sizes and place them beside the door.
You can fill them with fairy lights or battery candles.
If you don’t have lanterns, even old glass vases or old pasta sauce jars work great.
Just scatter a few pinecones or dried orange slices around them. It smells amazing when the air’s cold.
13 | DIY Wooden Sign
Find an old wooden board or crate lid and paint a short holiday phrase like “Joy” or “Noel.”
Our neighbour used leftover white paint from a fence project and added a few stars with a sponge, like the one above, and it was the perfect budget outdoor Christmas decoration.
You can lean it against a planter or prop it up by your steps.
If you want it to survive the rain and last for a few years try varnishing it with Yacht Varnish. This is a great Budget Christmas Outdoor Yard Decoration!
14 | Light Net Over Bushes
Instead of wrapping individual lights around bushes, throw a light net over them.
It saves a ton of time and gives that even sparkle that looks neat from the road.
My friend swears by these because you can just lift them off when you’re done. You can find them in warm white or multi-color versions, both look fine.
15 | Tiny Tree by the Door
If you don’t have space for a big tree, a little potted one by the entrance works perfectly.
Add a strand of lights and a few ornaments, nothing fancy.
I’ve seen people use rosemary plants shaped like trees too – smells good and looks festive.
16 | Lighted Gift Boxes in the Yard
Set a few light-up gift boxes right on the lawn.
They bring that soft sparkle to the middle of the yard instead of everything being clustered near the house.
You can find mesh or wire versions that glow from inside, so they hold up fine in the rain.
Add a couple of fake bows on top to make them look playful, not too polished.
17 | Garland Around the Door Frame
If you have a main entry door that feels a bit plain, a garland frame changes everything.
Just drape it around the edges and add a bow at the top.
You can use command hooks to hold it in place.
You can mix fake greenery with a few real pine sprigs if you like that fresh smell. It’s a simple way to pull all the yard decorations together visually.
18 | Christmas Basket by the Steps
Grab an old wicker basket, fill it with pine branches, ornaments, maybe a few cinnamon sticks.
My neighbour did this last year and it smelled amazing every time you walked by.
She added fairy lights tucked between the branches and left it by her steps.
It looked a bit uneven, but that’s what made it feel real. It’s quick, easy, and looks like you put thought into it even if you didn’t.
