BLOGMAS DAY 1
December has arrived! I still don’t know how it’s rolled around so quickly, I feel like I blinked and half of the year has been and gone. Christmas can be quite a stressful, there’s so much to organise – buying presents for family and arranging where to place the twiglets on the snack table is already enough to deal with let alone finding and putting up a tree. When it comes to getting your home festive, it can be another added stress, especially when you consider how expensive decorations can be. However, do not fear, I can show you how to buy and decorate a tree for exactly £30.50 and I can assure you it won’t look like the homemade disaster you’re probably picturing.
So here we have it, people, the answer is an artificial tree. (I’ll get it out the way now) A warning for those out there that buy real Christmas trees religiously every year. Although a real fir tree is apparently the epitome of festivity, in my opinion, it’s a nightmare. The thought of finding the right one, paying a small fortune and being able to bring it home, clean up after it and then do the same thing year after year just isn’t an appealing prospect. So I personally feel artificial trees are the way forward, as you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg and it isn’t so high maintenance. Also, even if you do buy a more pricey artificial tree, it’s reusable so you get your money’s worth year after year. Back at home, my family has used the same one since I was a toddler and it looks just as good! You have to tweak the branches and fill any gaps with decorations but that’s super easy.
Believe it or not, this tree is from Tesco, and only cost £20. I share a flat with my boyfriend so we split the cost, so technically it only cost a tenner which if I may say so myself is a pretty good deal. I literally typed into google “artificial tree” and it was one of the first ones listed. There were some different heights and some were pre-lit however we knew 6ft was just about right and we were able to buy fairy lights cheaply elsewhere. It was so simple to set up and only took about ten minutes! The gold beaded tree garland came from Poundworld and cost £2. The red and gold tinsel cost £1 and this came from Poundland (what a surprise).
In terms of decorations practically everywhere sells them now not just trusty John Lewis and M&S. I found some amazing decorations in pound shops (what a surprise, they really should sponsor me). Even Primark is selling some fabulous decorations in all sorts of colours. We decided to make the colour theme gold and red, as we wanted it to warm up our living room. We decided to mainly focus on baubles as the larger ones can really make a statement and the smaller ones are perfect for filling any areas looking a bit sparse.

24 x Gold baubles £1.50
8 x Red baubles £1
24 x Red baubles £1.50
(Front/Centre) 18 x Mini gold baubles £1


So in total, we paid £30.50 (£15.25 each) for a tree and all of the decorations (74 baubles, garland, tinsel and hanging decorations) which will all be ready again for us next year! Which goes to show how much you can get with your money even when budgets are tight with Christmas getting closer. I hope this was interesting to my fellow bargain hunters out there and helped save those struggling with any last minute Christmas decoration buying!
N xxxx
Oh I love your tree and decorations! We tend to stick to the same colour scheme each year which is gold but I do love the red, I feel I need to mix ours up!
We both had a long debate about whether to go for blue and silver or red and gold and I think we made the right choice! It really warms up the room, red and gold are such Christmas colours. Maybe try some red statement baubles? x
Your tree looks beautiful, and those decorations are a bargain! Such a helpful post, especially for Christmas made students like myself who can’t really afford to go all out with decorations, as much as I would like to! x
Rachel | kyvbey.blogspot.com
Tell me about it! I knew if we put our minds to it we could find something affordable and honestly poundshops are the place to go for seasonal decor, they aren’t as tacky as you would think! Glad it helped you out x
Love these decorations, just shows that you don’t need to spend a lot for things to look great. Me and my housemates got our tree from ASDA for £15 and it’s 6ft too, so between 5 of us that was only £3 each!
This is what I mean! It can be so much cheaper than you’d think! That sounds like such a good deal, supermarkets seem to be taking over x
Your tree looks extremely charming and very festive. Well done in finding such a smart way to decorate your tree without breaking the bank.
Thank you! I’m glad you think it looks good for the price! We’re pretty chuffed with it.
You have just highlighted that there is no need to go wild and spend a silly amount on decor for Christmas x
Yeah that was my aim! I’m glad you glad you took that from it! x
I would be super happy if I were you that trees beautiful and budget friendly
Thank you! I’m pretty chuffed with it! x
I am all for artificial trees, I can not be doing with the trimming and cleaning after the festivities.
It’s so much easier isn’t it! No fuss needed.
I agree with you, having a real Christmas tree is not only a hassle but it is also very bad for the environment. A tree should be left to grow outside, on the mountains, not cut off and brought into a house for a week, until it dies… you did a great job decorating your artificial one on a budget!
Thanks Joanna! I just think it’s so much simpler and easier, especially when you don’t have much money floating around to spend on it! x
Wow that’s so well priced!!!! We’re buying an artificial tree this year so tesco’s it is 😉
Yes!! Definitely have a look because they have a few xx
Your tree looks amazing! I never really was into spending ridiculous amounts of money of a real tree. This seems more affordable
Yeah it’s definitely a better option for someone who doesn’t have the money to go all out every year! x
Such a brilliant bargain, we need to get a christmas tree soon
Your decorations are beautiful, Tesco always offer such a nice range. We nought a new artificial tree last year and it still looks as good as new this year.
I would never have thought to look there until now! They’re definitely the ones to watch this year!
Aw I’m loving your new tree decorations; you’ve chosen so well! I have got all new decorations this year too. I went for a white theme xxx
Oooh white can look super pretty and festive! xx