Budget Friendly Christmas Decorating: Thrift Store Makeovers

Thrift store shopping is a treasure hunt, filled with endless possibilities for unique and budget-friendly home decor. With a little creativity and the magic of DIY, you can turn secondhand finds into stunning statement pieces that reflect your style, even for the holidays. Today, I’m sharing three easy and inspiring thrift store makeover ideas using paint and a few simple materials for some budget friendly Christmas decorating ideas.

1. Cute DIY Christmas Art

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again 100 times, those picture frames you see in thrift stores are full of potential! They come in all shapes and sizes and are an inexpensive way to decorate because they can be used in different ways and switched out whenever you feel like you need an update. With a coat of paint and a ribbon, these oval frames I found for $1 each became charming Christmas decor.

Inexpensive Christmas decor. How to decorate for Christmas on a budget

Materials Needed:

Small to mid size picture frames of your choice in any shape
Chalk paint or spray paint or Rub ‘n Buff
Ribbon
Hot glue gun
Print of your choice – you can find the cute Santa print on Etsy here.

Steps:

Remove the glass and backing from the frames and wipe them down if they are dusty.
Paint the frames in your desired color and let them dry completely. Since I really wanted some of the wood to show through, I gave them a very dry brush technique with the Rub n Buff.

While the paint dried, I used the glass as a template and traced around the outside. Then I cut out the picture to fit in the frame.

Cut a piece of ribbon to the desired length and attach it to the back of the frame with hot glue. This doesn’t have to be pretty, just get the job done. 🙂

Reassemble the frame and hang it on a wall or display it on a shelf.

Thrifted frames are perfect for showcasing vintage prints, family photos, or even small pieces of fabric or wallpaper. This project took about 20 minutes to do and is one of my favorite holiday thrift store makeovers ever!

2. Candle Holders Updated with Paint

Candle holders are often a thrift store staple, and they’re incredibly easy to transform, that’s why they are my list for budget friendly Christmas decorating ideas. These are so cute and are a great size to add to a simple holiday display. I really like that the size and shape are a bit different.

Materials Needed:

Candle holders
Rub ‘n Buff in a color of your choice or other paint
A soft cloth or small brush
Ribbon in your choice of color
Scissors

Steps:

Clean the candle holders to remove dirt and residue and let dry completely. These were just a bit dusty so I simply used a wet paper towel.
Use a small brush or cotton cloth to apply Rub ‘n Buff to the entire surface. I like using a brush so the paint isn’t opaque but rather in a random pattern.

Let it dry for a few minutes, then buff lightly to achieve a smooth finish.
Tie a ribbon around the part of the holder you like most. I didn’t glue it, just tied it so it can be removed if I feel like updating it for a different season.

Add a candle and you’re all set.

These updated candle holders are perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere or adding a touch of glam to your holiday decor. The gold paint elevates it just a bit and makes it perfect for Christmas.

See my Christmas Home Tour Here.

If you like decorating on a budget and are looking for ways to create your own unique space, check out my e-Book, BeYOUtiful Interiors.

3. Simple Wooden Cutting Board Makeover

I can’t seem to ever turn down a cute cutting board. They add such warmth and character to any space. This one was still in decent shape and I really like the added detail with the leaves and berries. I just would prefer gold over silver but that was an easy fix!

Materials Needed:

Wooden cutting board with metal accent (you can always add your own embellishments)
Rub ‘n Buff in your choice of color (gold, antique gold, or silver are great options)
A soft cloth or your fingertip
Sandpaper
Vinegar
Mineral oil

Steps:

Clean the cutting board thoroughly. Vinegar is a great way to disinfect and clean your wood cutting boards. The acetic acid in the vinegar is a good disinfectant, effective against such harmful bugs as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. Vinegar is especially useful for people with chemical allergies. If you need to get smells out, you can also use:

Coarse salt or baking soda – Rub the board with course salt or baking soda. Let stand a few minutes, wipe salt or baking soda from the board, and then rinse. You may need to re-season after rinsing your cutting board by applying a food safe oil like mineral oil only when the cutting board is completely dry.
Lemon – Another very easy technique is to rub fresh lemon juice or rub a cut lemon over the surface of the cutting board to neutralize onion and garlic odors. Again, you may need to re-season after rinsing your cutting board with a food safe mineral oil.

I cleaned mine with the vinegar solution but it still had something sticky so I gave it a light sanding with a 220 grit sandpaper just to remove the remaining residue.

Then I gave it a coat of mineral oil to seal it.

To Paint the metal trim:

Use painter’s tape to protect the wood around the metal trim (if needed)
Apply a small amount of Rub ‘n Buff to a paint brush, soft cloth or your fingertip, then gently rub it onto the metal.
Allow it to dry for a few minutes, then buff lightly with a clean cloth for a subtle shine.

The result is an elegant cutting board that doubles as functional decor, perfect for display in your kitchen or as a serving board for gatherings. You can also use it for a candle holder or as the base for a pretty vase with holiday greens.

These 3 projects took no time at all and they add a unique look and feel to our holiday decor. Decorating doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive and the beauty of thrift store makeovers is that you can let your creativity shine without breaking the bank.

By adding your personal touch with paint and a few other materials, you can transform ordinary items into extraordinary pieces that enhance your home all year long. Next time you’re at a thrift store, take a second look at those “almost perfect” finds—they might just be the canvas for your next DIY masterpiece!

Share your budget friendly Christmas decorating ideas and thrift store makeovers in the comments below!

Happy Decorating!

Col