The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us! While there is little more exciting than the magic of the season, it inevitably also comes with extra stress and expenses. I love decorating for the holidays, so it is important to me that it stays something that I enjoy and do not get overwhelmed by. To do this, I keep a LOT of my décor the same yearly and stick to things that are neutral and timeless. But even if you want to switch up your entire holiday look this year, you can save some major money for presents by thrifting your décor from Goodwill NCW! Here are some of my thrifting tips when decorating for the holiday season.

Wreath

Wreaths can add a welcoming festive touch to your front door, or a natural element to your home when placed throughout, but man oh man can they get EXPENSIVE! Buying wreaths from Goodwill NCW is one of my favorite ways to personalize my home for the holidays because the low cost makes me feel like I justify customizing a secondhand wreath to my own tastes. Look for wreaths with “good bones” such as realistic looking greenery or pinecones. From there you can either remove anything that doesn’t jive with your décor, or you can add things like velvet ribbons, berries, or even DIY dried oranges. If your family is crafty, make it a family event! Throw on Christmas music or a Christmas movie and let everyone create their Christmas wreath.

Taper Candles 

Candles are must for me during the holiday season. You just cannot beat the warm glow of a candle on a cold winter night. Add them to your table setting, your mantle, or my favorite, your windowsills! These simple touches make a big impact but can be pricey. The good news is that Goodwill NCW almost always has taper candles throughout the entire year and for great prices! I regularly grab them when I see colors that I like. You can usually find flameless/battery operated ones as well!

There’s nothing more classic than a simple candle in the window for Christmas.

Plates and Dinnerware

I love grabbing fun and festive plates and dinnerware for hosting during the holidays! The great thing about thrifting these items is that you can create a mix and match vibe that’s all your own. The best part is that the affordable prices mean that you can still be jolly if someone breaks one after too much eggnog – and you can also send them home with leftovers for your guests to keep! Not big on hosting or baking? Let your creative side shine by curating a small collection of plates and hanging up a holiday themed plate wall. This cottage core staple is making a comeback, so why not make it festive!

Ornaments

The selection and price of ornaments at Goodwill NCW are seriously unbeatable. You could easily decorate an entire tree with what you could find! For a little added fun in your holiday gift or Secret Santa exchange, challenge participants to find an ornament that reminds them of the recipient. I love adding a unique ornament to my holiday wrapping as well!

Home Furnishings

Swapping out your regular sofa pillows and/or blankets for the holiday season is an easy way to give your home a festive feel. Search for things like cable knit pillows or throws or add a bit of faux fur over the side of your couch. Look for patterns like buffalo check or plaid, or even just add a few pillows in holiday colors like red or green. Crafty? Grab some holiday inspired flannel sheets or pillowcases and use the fabric to cover Styrofoam balls to create one-of-a-kind ornaments. Find an old plaid shirt to cut and make your own Christmas ribbon. Embrace your inner elf and have fun!

The perfect winter pillow for $3.99!