Cheap Table Decor For Christmas

If you’re anything like me, the idea of creating a festive and beautiful Christmas table without breaking the bank feels like finding the perfect gift. The good news? It’s entirely possible.

Most of the time you just need a little inspiration and you’ll find yourself gathering items around your home and making your own unique version. Most of these Christmas table centerpieces you can DIY ,but there are some you can grab from Dollar Tree and Dollar General too.

*If you shop Dollar General, I have a post on all the Christmas goodies and ways to decorate using $1 items here.

DIY Christmas Centerpieces Anyone Can Make

Here’s the thing about a beautiful holiday table — the pieces everyone compliments are almost never the expensive ones. They’re the little DIY touches you made yourself for a few dollars.

Below are my favorite DIY Christmas centerpieces, all budget-friendly, most of them straight from the Dollar Tree craft aisle or things you already have around the house.

I’ve linked the full step-by-step tutorial under each one, so you can make any of these in an afternoon.

Light Up the Holidays

Candles and soft lighting are essential for creating the warm, cozy ambiance we all crave during the holiday season. But who says you need to splurge on fancy candle holders? It’s time to get crafty!

You can even add a splash of color by filling the jars with cranberries or colored beads.

DIY Mason Jar Candle Centerpiece

The most frugal centerpiece on this list. Grab a few mason jars (or any glass jars you’ve saved), wrap them with twine or a scrap of ribbon, drop a tea light inside, and you’re done. Fill the bottom with fresh cranberries or a handful of colored beads and suddenly a $0 project looks like a florist made it.

Line three or five of them down the center of the table for that cozy, candlelit farmhouse feel.

Full tutorial: DIY Mason Jar Christmas Candle Centerpiece →

Festive on a Budget

Before you run out to the store, take a peek around your home. You’d be surprised at how many items you can repurpose for your Christmas table. That old scarf you never wear? Instant table runner. Leftover fabric scraps? Perfect napkin rings.

One year, I used my collection of mismatched plates and glasses to create an eclectic, vintage-inspired table setting. It was unique, and my guests loved the mix of colors and textures. Plus, using what you already own is the ultimate money-saver.

Checking out thrift stores for unique glassware and dishes is the best way to create cheap table decor that looks expensive, especially when you can create an entire silver theme.

DIY Twine Napkin Rings

Not technically a centerpiece, but these tie the whole table together for pennies. A loop of twine, a sprig of faux greenery or a cinnamon stick, and each place setting suddenly looks intentional. I make a big batch while I’m watching a movie and reuse them year after year.

Full tutorial: DIY Twine & Greenery Napkin Rings →

DIY Wood Slice Place Cards

Little wood slices with each guest’s name are the personal touch that makes people feel special the second they sit down — and they cost almost nothing. I write the names on, and guests take them home to hang on the tree as an ornament, so they double as a tiny party favor.

Full tutorial: DIY Wood Slice Christmas Place Cards →

Personal Touch

Adding a personal touch to your table makes your guests feel special. And it doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. DIY place cards and centerpieces are a great way to show off your creativity.

Try using small wooden slices or cardstock cut into festive shapes to place cards. Write each guest’s name in a fancy font (or recruit someone with nice handwriting if yours is more “doctor’s note” than calligraphy). I like getting these ones and then decorating so they can take them home and hang them on the tree as an ornament.

For centerpieces, consider a simple arrangement of branches, baubles, and twinkling string lights in a vase. Dollar Tree’s craft section is also a great place to look first.

Or consider using one of the smaller Christmas trees as a centerpiece. I find cute little ones at the Dollar Tree, and they have mini ornaments to choose from too.

After many requests, here is a tutorial on how to make these simple glass cylinders. ( Originally, this post was just to inspire table decor ideas)

DIY Glass Cylinder Vase Centerpiece

This is the one I get the most questions about. A tall clear vase, a handful of ornaments, a strand of battery fairy lights, and a few pinecones — layer them up and you get a centerpiece that looks like it came from a boutique but cost me under $7 to make. You can match it to any color scheme, from classic red and gold to farmhouse neutrals.

I make three of these for the length of my table every year, and the warm glow at night is my favorite part of the whole setup.

Full tutorial: How to Make a DIY Cylinder Vase Holiday Centerpiece →

DIY Dried Orange & Pinecone Jar

If you want something that smells as good as it looks, this is it. Dried orange slices, a few foraged pinecones, and a big glass jar — that’s the whole recipe. It leans rustic and old-fashioned in the best way, and it costs next to nothing if you dry the oranges yourself in a low oven.

This one doubles as everyday winter décor long after the tree comes down.

Full tutorial: DIY Dried Orange & Pinecone Jar →

More Quick DIY Centerpiece Ideas

Short on time? These take five minutes and no tutorial:

• Mini Dollar Tree trees — grab a few of the little trees and mini ornaments from the Dollar Tree and cluster them down the center.
• Cranberry votives — float a tea light over a jar of water and fresh cranberries.
• Pinecone tray — fill a wooden tray or basket with foraged pinecones and a string of lights.
• Christmas village — a small vintage village set makes a charming, collectible centerpiece that grows every year.

Make Your Table Shine

Creating a beautiful Christmas table doesn’t require a big budget—just a bit of creativity and resourcefulness. I’d love to hear about your own DIY and budget-friendly decor ideas!