For my last post of 2025, I thought I would share all the homemade and DIY Christmas decorations that I made this year to adorn my home for the festive season.

Decorating your home for Christmas doesn’t need to be expensive - you don’t need to buy whole sets of baubles and door wreaths from the florist. Instead, here are nine Christmas decor ideas that you can save for next Christmas, should you wish.

Use ribbon and dried orange slices to decorate a fireplace mantel

While those realistic pine garlands all over instagram for your fireplace or staircase look great, they can be expensive. Instead, simple decorations like sliced oranges strung on some string, along with draped ribbon, can be just as effective.

Thread dried orange slices using a needle and some strong cotton. You can make your own dried orange slices, but I tend to save my time and energy and buy bulk packets of dried orange slices from floral wholesalers or online (you can get around 100 slices for under a fiver).

For the ribbon, create bows with large tails and drape ribbon between the bows. I tend to hang them using those tiny Command hooks and by threading a bit of floristry wire through the back of the bows.

Fill a tree with dried flowers

This year, I created a very full-looking tree simply by stuffing dried sprayed asparagus fern between the branches. This shimmery pink fern cost me £15 for a large bunch and completely filled up my tree, meaning that I didn’t have to adorn it with lots of expensive tree decorations. Click here to see how I decorated my 2025 Christmas tree in more detail.

Make a large bow from scrap fabric or a cheap tablecloth

Bows have been huge at Christmas again this year. While they are expensive to buy in the shops, you can make your own from scraps of fabric or using a large, cheap tablecloth (H&M Home or IKEA is a good source), following my tutorial on how to make a large fabric bow.

Christmas chandelier decorating

You can create an instant focal point by decorating a light fitting with just a small amount of decorations for Christmas. In my hallway, I strung a number of inexpensive mini baubles from La Redoute on colourful ribbon. It brings me so much joy when I walk through the door!

Create a Christmas swag from fabric offcuts

In my kitchen, I created a small swag from fabric offcuts to adorn the small period fireplace. All you need are a few strips of fabric that you can fold over (around 10-15cm width and 30-40cm in length), sew down the side and then turn inside out. You then just knot them at the ends!

Frame your front door with garden cuttings

Common garden cuttings such as conifer, pine and ivy berries are great to use to attach around your door to create a festive entrance to your home. Depending on your door surround, you can use chicken wire, a rose arch or a wood frame to attach it to. To see how I created my Christmas door decor in more detail, click here.

Fill decorative bowls with scented dried fruit

I arrange bowls of scented dried fruit filled with cloves throughout my home for a festive aroma at Christmas. You can buy dried oranges and dried limes from floral wholesalers or in multipacks online.

DIY your own door wreath

Christmas door wreaths can be expensive to buy, but making your own is a fun festive craft and works out a lot cheaper. Follow my guide on how to make a moss-based wreath, or you can even buy a cheap supermarket wreath base and stick on your own decorations!

Make your own paper decorations

Paper decorations are really nostalgic and look beautiful at Christmas. This year, I created a paper star garland from some wrapping paper, but for more ideas, check out my post on five budget-friendly DIY paper decorations for Christmas.