Cheap-but-chic DIY decor ideas to help you deck the halls on a budget – Iowa State Daily

Whether we celebrate Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, most of us share a common goal: to decorate our space. Tight budget? No problem.

These affordable DIY decor ideas will help deck out your apartment, home or dorm this holiday season. The practice of crafting one’s own decorations brings with it a bit of whimsy, which we all need a little of, especially now with finals around the corner.

Make your own decorative pinecones

You have probably walked past pinecones on campus a hundred times and ignored them. They are one of the easiest free decorations you can use, and baking them dries out any moisture while also helping open up the scales. Fresh pinecones can be sticky or damp, so this step makes them cleaner and safer to bring indoors.

Supplies: Pinecones, a baking sheet, foil and optional paint or glitter.

Instructions:

1. Gather pinecones that are already open.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil and spread the pinecones out.
3. Bake at a low temperature until they are fully dry.
4. Once cooled, tie a piece of ribbon or twine around the top if you want to hang them.
5. Optional: dip the edges in white paint for a frosted look or add a little glitter glue.

Dried orange garland

This project is a tried-and-true winter tradition that dates back to the 4th century. More importantly, this simple craft will make your kitchen smell wonderful.

This DIY is an old winter tradition that found its way back into modern decorating. Dried oranges appear warm and golden in the light, and they add a clean, comforting scent to your room while baking.

Supplies: Oranges, a knife, parchment paper, a baking sheet and string.

Instructions:

1. Slice the oranges into thin, even rounds.
2. Set them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake on low heat until they are dry and translucent.
4. After they cool, poke a tiny hole near the edge of each slice.
5. Thread them onto a long string, spacing them out as you like.
6. Hang the garland across a window or above your desk. The slices glow slightly when sunlight hits them, resembling small golden ornaments.

Paper snowflake garland

Snowflake cutting is a simple activity most of us have done at some point in our lives. However, turning lots of small snowflakes into a garland can take your favorite childhood craft to another level.

Supplies: Paper, scissors, tape or string.

Instructions:

1. Fold a piece of paper into a square.
2. Fold the square into a triangle.
3. Fold the triangle into thirds so it resembles a small cone.
4. Cut small shapes along the folds.
5. Open carefully to reveal the snowflake.
6. Repeat several times.
7. Connect each snowflake using tape or thread them together with a string.

Paper mistletoe

Real mistletoe can be hard to find, but the paper version is both easy to find and cute.

Supplies: Green paper, white paper, scissors, glue, string and red berries.

Instructions:

1. Cut out leaf shapes from the green paper.
2. Curl them slightly with your fingers so they look more natural.
3. Cut small circles out of white paper for the berries.
4. Glue the leaves together into a bunch.
5. Add the berries in clusters of two or three.
6. Tie a ribbon or string at the top.

These crafts cost almost nothing and add charm to your space, making it feel warmer than store-bought decor. With finals creeping closer, creating something simple can be the screen break you need. If anything, let yourself enjoy the slow pace of making things by hand. It is a welcome reminder that this season is meant to feel cozy and nurturing rather than rushed.