key takeaways
- Stock up on decorations throughout the year so that your holidays are filled with memories of fun trips and travels.
- If you’re going to splurge, spend more on key items that you know you’ll use year after year.
- Spend more on anything that can become a key memory of the holidays, like buying a real tree for the family.
With the holidays approaching, now is an excellent time to start Planning Your Holiday Decoration BudgetWhether you’re starting from scratch or building on your decor from last season, it’s a good idea to consider what you need—and how much you’re willing to spend.
We decided to ask two design experts for their top tips for saving and splurging during the festive season.
meet the expert
gray benco And Chelsea Eastman Gray is the color-obsessed co-founder and interior designer behind Benko Home.
Where to save for the holidays
We’re already spending a lot during the holidays, but decorations don’t have to be extra costs. Here you can save just a little bit so that you can use that money for more excitement.
Items You’ve Already Collected
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Designer and TV personality Gray Benko says when it comes to hunting, he loves to hunt Buying and Collecting Holiday Decorations,
“I like to include things that feel collectible and personal,” she says. “Stockings, a beautiful ornament, maybe even an ornament from each trip we take as a family.”
Instead of wasting all your money before the holidays, this can be a great way to spend a little bit throughout the year. Plus, the end result should be a culmination of decor that feels authentic and inspires memories.
“I like to mix the old with the new, the traditional with the quirky,” says Benko. “I’m not glamorous or minimalist in any way.”
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trendy decor pieces
we love one Fun and quirky holiday aesthetics Well done, but as interior designer and project manager Chelsea Eastman points out, this really isn’t the time to splurge.
This includes anything in a bold color palette that you know won’t last, like Barbiecore, or a particular motif that isn’t considered a holiday staple: think toadstools, candy, or frilly bows.
“I keep them cheap because they turn around so quickly,” says Eastman.
Benko does the same thing, and says she sees it as a great rule, even when it’s not about trendy items. She suggests saving your money on anything you won’t pack away at the end of the holidays to save for next year.
“Save on fillers that are fun for a season but aren’t built to last,” she says.
anything disposable
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Even if you do your best to buy reusable items for the season, a lot of decor items end up becoming disposable. Eastman says these are things she always makes sure to do on the cheap.
“I don’t spend much on disposable things like note cards, wrapping paper, and bows,” she says. “They tend to fall apart anyway.”
Where to spend your holidays
With all those extra dollars you’re saving on one-off pieces, try putting them into something these designers consider a good investment.
annual staples
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If you’re starting to freshen up your decor stash, Eastman says it’s worth spending more on things you’ll use year after year: stockings, garland, pretty wreaths, or high-quality ornaments.
“They become part of your family story and are worth investing in,” she says.
Benko agrees, emphasizing that it should be everything you want to see in your home.
“Spend money on pieces that mean something to you and that will hold memories for you year after year,” she says.
perfect christmas tree
whether you are Buying a New, Fake Tree Or you always opt for the real thing, so you might want to spend a little more on this particular item—after all, it’s the beginning of the season.
But beyond the tree, Benko says she always buys a real tree and always spends money on the entire festive experience of getting the tree.
“We go on family trips to lose weight,” says Benko. “This whole thing is part of the tradition — drinking hot chocolate, roasting marshmallows, and cutting down the tree together. It’s my favorite experience of the season.”
Tablescape Linens
If you’re hosting this season, Benko says it’s An element of her holiday table She always considers a splurge: table linens.
“Good linens instantly brighten up a table and can be reused over and over again,” she says.
The same can apply to things like plates and seasonal serverware, but you can also use your everyday items and bring a festive touch. However, linen is a perfect balance between the two.
3 Top Tips for Decorating for the Holidays
- Keep tablescape accent pieces simple. Benko says she likes to decorate her expensive linens with low-cost items like grocery store flowers, greenery, or pieces of beautiful seasonal fruit.
- Outdoor decoration also requires careful planning. While most of your focus may be on purchasing items for your interior decor, Eastman says your home’s outdoor design plan also needs some thought. Decide in advance whether you want to cover the entire house with lights, or at least illuminate it with a beautiful wreath and spotlights.
- If you want to be big, be big. If you have the budget to go big on vacation and that’s what you prefer, Eastment says you should. After all, the holidays are about doing things that make you happy.
