It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The holidays are a time to be merry, to gather with family and friends, to give back to our communities and to celebrate a special occasion.

Let’s be honest, though. They can also be a stressful time, with a lot of demands on our time and wallets.

Decorating your home for the holidays should be fun and joyful, not an expensive chore. Want to keep it cheap and cheerful this year? Here are our top tips:

Go Natural

Winter greenery and natural elements like wreaths, holly, spruce or cedar branches, mistletoe, pine cones, twigs, sticks of cinnamon and dried citrus fruit are all beautiful natural additions to your holiday décor. They can be arranged on the mantel, hung on doors and strung up around doorways, placed on tables and countertops, or displayed in vases or bowls – the options are endless. As a nice bonus, they smell great! The scent of evergreen and cinnamon wafting through your home will immediately add to the festive vibe.

Find the Common Thread

If your home already has a distinctive style – say sleek and modern or rustic and farmhouse-style – then the easiest way to decorate for the holidays is to stay on-theme. Your holiday décor should be an extension of the rest of your home’s unique style and interior design. This makes selecting items a much easier process and creates a cohesive look.

Keep it Simple

There’s no need to decorate every spare surface. Focus on the key elements that make the most impact. A beautiful wreath on your front door, a festive fireplace mantel and a Christmas tree or Hanukkah menorah may be all you need to create the holiday décor of your dreams. Sometimes less is more.

 Other simple elements that can spruce up your holiday décor – and which you may already have lying around at home – include candles, wool throws and blankets, cozy throw cushions in seasonal colours or plaids, and star-shaped or seasonal cookie cutters.

Thanks for reading! How do you like to decorate for the holidays? Let us know in the comments section. And make sure to LIKE us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Instagram for the latest news and updates, as well as for fun homeowner tips, beautiful home photos and more.