One Easy Way to Score Free Holiday Decorations (and How to Use Them)

Between gifts, decor, entertaining and all the other little incidentals, the holiday season can be expensive. (As if you needed me to tell you that, right?) But here’s one simple trick that you can use to nab yourself some free decor for your home: If you’re getting a fresh Christmas tree this year, ask to take home the offcuts.

Here’s the deal: When you get a fresh tree from a lot or a farm, there’s usually some trimming that happens on-site to take care of branches that are sticking out too far, or perhaps are too low on the trunk for the tree to fit into its stand. Those branches are totally up for grabs! Ask if you can bring them home with you and the answer will undoubtedly be “yes.” Then, put those free branches to work as holiday decor. Here are four easy and inspiring ideas to get you started.

A few branches combined with some small accents—like these tiny ceramic homes—makes for a simple but beautiful display.

Stick the branches in a vase, add water, then decorate them with mini trimmings like little ornaments and dainty beaded garlands.

Tie your branches together using floral wire to make a window garland. You can find instructions for DIYing your own garland here.

Add in some pine cones and some battery-powered mini string lights, and you’ve got yourself a fancy-looking holiday centerpiece.