Budget ideas to decorate your Christmas tree

In my home we love nothing more than a beautiful, fresh Christmas tree.

It's not just about how amazing it looks, but also the entire experience — from selecting the tree to setting it up in a stand and remembering to water it every few days, to the incredible pine smell. Even cleaning up fallen pine needles is fun for me.

I do have to confess that for the past few years I have been using a tree delivery service which, at an extra cost, will deliver and set up your tree and then pick it up and dispose of it after the festive season is over.

Also, last year I bought a fake tree, because I had just moved and had forgotten to book in my tree delivery.

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This year, however, it's all about a beautiful real tree.

Whatever your preference when it comes to Christmas trees, the cost of purchasing a one and decorating it while also buying gifts for family and friends can be a bit of a stretch.

Thankfully there are some fun and easy ways to decorate your tree on a budget that will not only save you money, but give you a fun activity to do with your kids — which will only add to the Christmas spirit! And every time I use one of these tricks it sure does surprise the neighbours when they pop in for a Chrissy drink.

Budget ideas to decorate your Christmas tree

1. String popcorn instead of tinsel

I've always been so enchanted by memories of families stringing popcorn at Christmas time in every festive movie I saw as a child.

This is an amazing way to kick off the decorating of your tree. It smells amazing, you can snack on it as you go and best of all your kids will love helping out.

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To string popcorn into a Christmas decoration you need a needle and thread and lots of delicious popcorn which sells for $1.95 at Coles and Woolies.

String the popcorn until it is as long as you like and then hang it on your tree for an incredible 'snow' affect. Don't forget to tie a knot on both ends so it doesn't fall off and push the needle directly through the centre of the kernel until your Christmas garland is full.

2. Patty case ornaments with leftover wrapping paper

Patty cases make perfect Christmas tree ornaments, especially generic white ones or even the silver version.

Regardless, each colour can be transformed into a festive decoration for your tree with the help of a single hole puncher, some string and any art and craft material you have lying around at home.

Start by punching a hole on one side of the patty case and securing string on it for hanging later. If you have white patty cases, you can make incredible snowmen.

Silver patty cases can be transformed into sparkly star-like ornaments by just snipping at them with a pair of scissors.

If you aren't feeling crafty, simply purchase affordable Christmas patty cases and hang them as is.

3. Forage in your garden

If you are lucky enough to have a backyard with a garden, decorating for Christmas is even easier.

It's also a beautiful and original way to decorate your tree. Collect fallen branches, leaves and pick some flowers to attach to your tree.

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If you have pine cones or acorn bushes near you, even better. Stringing native flora to your tree is a great way to decorate and you can use any leftovers to craft a Christmas wreath.

If you don't have a garden, ask a friend or relative for access to theirs, or better still, head to your local nursery and ask for any older plants that won't be sold or are about to be thrown away to decorate your tree.

4. Battery-operated tea candles in jars and bottles instead of Christmas lights

Christmas lights are more affordable than ever but still pricey compared to other festive costs, not to mention what they add to your electricity bill.

A more affordable way to illuminate your Christmas tree is to collect jars and bottles, place battery-operated tea lights in them and light them each night.

This method will create a soft nighttime glow under your tree and serve to cast light across your beautifully decorated tree.

It also saves the annoyance of untangling lights, stringing them up and then trying to take them down.

5. Left over Christmas wrapping

There's a lot you can do with left over Christmas wrapping, and particularly crafty kids will have so much fun creating their own decorations out of sparkly festive prints, ribbons and bows.

From cutting out festive-themed circles and bells and stars and snowflakes, to creating a garland out of paper, this is a simple and effective way to decorate your tree that cuts costs as well as waste.

If you have a lot of ribbon, simply thing bows all over your tree is a simple and stunning way to decorate.

6. Christmas cards as ornaments

For those of you lucky enough to still receive Christmas cards, you have ready-made ornaments for your tree that are charming, thanks to the personal note contained inside.

This is where your hole puncher comes in handy again, as well as string or any left over ribbon from wrapping.

Each time you are admiring your Christmas tree, you can spend time reading the words of family and friends who have sent you a Christmas card. By collecting cards over the years and keeping them for use the following year, you have some amazing memories of those who have come in and out of your life.

7. Small toys as ornaments

With children comes mass amounts of little toys collected from random places like fast food outlets, party favour bags, birthday celebrations and even at the checkout of your local stores.

These are perfect Christmas tree ornaments for any family and make use of what otherwise would be clutter in your children's rooms. Better still, you can tell your kids that their favourite toys have a special job to do ahead of Christmas, to decorate the tree ahead of Santa's visit.

Loop some string or ribbon around each toy and you kids can help you hang them up.

Christmas comes but once a year and in this case, it will help keep your children's rooms tidy as well!

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15 ways to save money this Christmas