There’s something magical about Christmas morning – the twinkling lights, the perfectly decorated tree, the cozy atmosphere that makes your home feel like a winter wonderland. But there’s nothing magical about the financial stress that often comes with creating that picture-perfect holiday scene. What if I told you there’s a better way to build your dream Christmas collection without breaking the bank come December?
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The Smart Switch: Why Artificial Trees Make Financial Sense
Let’s talk numbers for a moment. The average real Christmas tree costs between $60-120 depending on your location and tree size. Multiply that by 10-15 years, and you’re looking at $600-1,800 just on trees alone – not counting the annual hassle of shopping, transporting, and disposing of them.
When you invest in a high-quality artificial tree from King of Christmas during their Christmas in July sale, you’re making a one-time purchase that pays for itself within just a few years. Their trees are designed to last decades with proper storage, meaning you could potentially save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time.
But the benefits go beyond just dollars and cents. Artificial trees offer consistency – your tree looks perfect every single year without the worry of finding the “right” tree or dealing with needle drop and constant watering. Artificial trees are easy to set up and take down. For families with allergies, they can provide a great alternative to real ones, reducing the risk of allergic reactions to pine or mold. Plus, you can set it up whenever you want without timing your decorating around tree lot schedules.
The Year-Round Strategy: Spreading Out Your Holiday Budget
Here’s a secret from a self proclaimed successful holiday decorator: the best time to build your Christmas collection isn’t in December – it’s every other month of the year. By shopping strategically throughout the year, you can create a stunning holiday display for a fraction of the cost.
January Through March: Post-Holiday Goldmine – The weeks following Christmas are pure magic for bargain hunters. Retailers are desperate to clear holiday inventory, often marking items down 70-90%. This is when you’ll find premium ornaments, lights, garland, and decorative pieces at rock-bottom prices. Stock up on classic pieces in traditional colors that won’t go out of style.
Summer Sales and Clearances – Many people don’t realize that summer is prime time for Christmas shopping. Retailers often run “Christmas in July” promotions to move inventory and make room for fall merchandise. This is the perfect time to invest in bigger-ticket items like that artificial tree from King of Christmas or other statement decorative pieces.
Thrift Store and Garage Sale Treasures – Some of my most beloved Christmas decorations came from unexpected places. Vintage ornaments, unique serving pieces for holiday entertaining, and charming decorative accents can be found for pennies on the dollar at thrift stores and garage sales. The key is to shop with an open mind and look for quality pieces you can incorporate into your overall theme.
Facebook Marketplace: Your New Best Friend – Facebook Marketplace has revolutionized secondhand shopping. Search for “Christmas decorations” throughout the year and you’ll be amazed at what people are selling. Families moving, downsizing, or simply refreshing their decor often sell entire collections at incredibly reasonable prices. I’ve seen complete ornament sets, and professional-quality outdoor decorations for 20-30% of retail cost.
DIY Magic: Creating Custom Pieces on a Budget
Not everything in your holiday collection needs to be store-bought. Some of the most meaningful and beautiful decorations are the ones you create yourself. DIY projects can fill gaps in your collection while adding personal touches that make your home uniquely yours.
Simple Garland Projects Create stunning garland using materials from nature or craft stores. Pine cones, dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, and burlap ribbon can create gorgeous natural garland for a fraction of store-bought versions. Hot glue guns and basic crafting supplies are small investments that pay off in countless creative possibilities.
Ornament Transformations Plain glass ornaments from dollar stores become custom masterpieces with a little creativity. Use acrylic paint, glitter, ribbon, or even family photos to create personalized decorations that rival expensive designer versions.
Upcycling Projects Before throwing anything away, consider how it might work in your Christmas decor. Mason jars become luminaries, old sweaters become tree skirts, and wooden crates become rustic display pieces. Pinterest is full of inspiration for transforming everyday items into holiday magic.
Some of our favorite Holiday DIY Projects: DIY Snow Globes, Book Trees, Bow Garlands, Gingerbread Door Mats, and Spruced Up Curtain Rods.
Building Your Collection: A Strategic Approach
Start with a Vision Before you buy anything, decide on your overall style and color scheme. Are you drawn to traditional red and gold? Modern minimalist white and silver? Rustic natural elements? Having a clear vision prevents impulse purchases that don’t fit your overall aesthetic. This is where I personally love making a Pinterest Board where I collect all of the images that represent the holiday vibe I’m going for. Then once my Pinterest Board is full I then like to curate it even more and make a mood board in Canva that I save to my phone and can use as an easy reference when I’m out treasure hunting.
Invest in Foundation Pieces First Your tree is the centerpiece of your Christmas decor, so make it a priority. A quality artificial tree from King of Christmas sets the foundation for everything else. They have pre-lit trees, which I personally love for the ease, but if you see yourself wanting to switch things up and wanting the option to change light colors. Then they have an array of unlit trees available.
Build in Layers You don’t need to complete your collection in one year. Think in categories: Tree and lights first, then basic ornaments, followed by garland and greenery, then decorative accents, and finally specialty pieces that make your display unique.
Quality Over Quantity It’s better to have fewer high-quality pieces that you truly love than a house full of decorations that are just fillers and don’t spark joy. Focus on items that feel substantial and well-made – they’ll look better and last longer.
Christmas in July
Another reason to invest in artificial tress is because you can set them up at any time and create a little magic and festiveness. Like putting one up peak summer and celebrating Christmas in July. I personally love the chance to enjoy themed activities, decorations, and even sales during the summer months. This year we decorated our newest tree from the King of Christmas Christmas in July sale with a patriotic theme. Super simple but fun and the kids love it.
The December Payoff
When December arrives and you’re pulling out your carefully curated collection, you’ll feel the magic of this year-round strategy. While many people will be stressed about holiday expenses, you’ll be relaxed knowing your decorating budget was spread throughout the year. Your King of Christmas tree goes up effortlessly, your curated and collected decorations coordinate beautifully, and you can focus on what really matters – creating holiday memories with the people you love.
The financial benefits extend beyond just decor. When you’re not scrambling to buy decorations in December, you have more budget available for gifts, holiday entertaining, and experiences. You’ll approach the holiday season from a place of abundance rather than financial stress.
Starting Your Journey If you’re ready to transform your approach to holiday decorating, there’s no better time to start than now. King of Christmas‘s Christmas in July sale offers the perfect opportunity to invest in that foundation piece – a beautiful artificial tree that will serve as the centerpiece of your holiday celebrations for years to come.
Remember, building a beautiful Christmas collection is a marathon, not a sprint. Each small purchase throughout the year contributes to creating the holiday home of your dreams, all while keeping your budget happy and your December stress-free.
This Christmas in July, be sure to check out all of the Holiday sales. Your December self will thank you!
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