Every year I tell myself I don't need any more Christmas decorations. And, to be fair, most of the time I don't. But there are always a few little things that catch my eye.
This year I'm not looking to completely change how we decorate. I've been choosing a few affordable pieces that will work with the decorations we've already collected, from a rather cheerful striped tree skirt to candles that make our kitchen feel festive without much effort.
We also have a more colourful, retro-style Christmas tree in our kitchen, lounge and play area. I bought multicoloured lights for it last year and I'm enjoying the idea of making that tree feel fun and nostalgic rather than trying to make every corner of the house match.
Here are five Christmas decorations I've bought over the past few years, plus three I'm considering. I love mixing little high-street finds with more expensive decorations I've collected over the years. Something doesn't have to cost a fortune to look lovely alongside a piece you've saved up for.
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The Christmas decorations I've bought
1. A red and pink striped tree skirt from Amazon
Status: Ordered
I ordered this tree skirt from Amazon and I love how unapologetically festive it is. The red and pink stripes, ruffled edge and little bows are a lovely change from the more understated tree skirts I've seen.
For me, the base of a Christmas tree is one of those areas that makes a surprisingly big difference to how finished it looks. A patterned tree skirt gives you that extra detail without needing to buy lots of extra ornaments. I haven't put ours under the tree yet, so I can't comment on how it fits in person, but I'm excited to see it in place.
See the striped tree skirt at Amazon
2. The £5 festive taper candles from Habitat
Status: Bought and styled at home
I originally had these on my wish list, but I ended up buying them and I'm so pleased I did. They're a pair of taper candles with the words 'Holly & Jolly' and 'Merry & Bright', and they were just £5 for the two when I checked.
I've put them in my existing green-and-cream striped candlesticks in the kitchen, against our blue-and-white tiles. I really like the mix of colours. The candles feel Christmassy without the whole shelf needing a complete restyle, and it's a good example of how something small can give the things you already own a different look.
I'm also tempted to tie a little deep red velvet ribbon around the candlestick bases for Christmas. I'd remove it before lighting the candles, of course, and keep anything decorative well away from the flame.
See the festive taper candles at Habitat
3. A nostalgic rocking horse decoration from B&M
Status: Bought | Currently listed at £2.50
I couldn't resist this little rocking horse. The cream colour, red detailing and tiny presents on its back are so charming, and it has that nostalgic Christmas feel I love. It's the sort of decoration that looks as though it could become part of the collection we bring out year after year.
At £2.50, it's also a reminder that not every ornament on the tree needs to be an investment piece. I like having a mixture of special decorations and inexpensive finds, especially when they sit so happily together.
See the Timeless Traditions rocking horse decoration at B&M
4. A red bow and gold bell garland from B&M
Status: Bought | Currently listed at £5
I also bought this red bow garland with little gold bells. It's such a simple, pretty piece, and the traditional red and gold colours will work with decorations we already have. It's approximately 150cm long, so there's plenty of scope to use it along a shelf, a dresser or somewhere else that needs a small festive touch.
What I like about both of these B&M finds is that they don't have to look 'budget'. I'd happily mix them with more expensive pieces I've collected over time. Good styling is about the combination of colours, textures and details, not how much each decoration costs.
See the red bow garland with gold bells at B&M
5. Soft, trailing artificial Christmas greenery from Amazon
Status: Bought a few years ago; thinking of buying another
I bought one of these trailing faux evergreen garlands a few years ago, and I've been thinking about getting another. I love the soft, natural-looking shape of the branches. Greenery is one of my favourite ways to make a room feel Christmassy without introducing lots of extra colours or decorations.
It's a good example of why I don't think you have to replace your Christmas decorations each year. I'd much rather add to something I already have and like than start from scratch with a different look.
See the artificial greenery on Amazon
Still on my Christmas wish list
6. A vintage-style gold star garland from Habitat
Status: On my wish list
This is probably one of my favourite finds. The antique-gold metal stars have a lovely vintage feel, but the thing that appeals to me most is that they don't have to be packed away as soon as Christmas is over.
I'd happily hang them across a dresser or mantelpiece for Christmas, then bring them out again for birthdays and other celebrations. At £12, that's the kind of versatile little purchase I find much easier to justify than something I'll use for a couple of weeks and forget about.
Habitat describes the garland as suitable for indoor use. I'd keep it out of reach of little hands and away from heat; it isn't intended for a child's bedroom or playroom.
See the vintage iron star garland at Habitat
7. A fair trade multicoloured lightbulb garland
Status: On my wish list
This one is for our 'fun' Christmas tree in the kitchen, lounge and play area. Last year I bought coloured Christmas lights because I wanted that slightly retro, nostalgic look, and I've been looking out for decorations that would work alongside them.
These colourful lightbulb-shaped decorations from Ethical Superstore caught my eye straight away. They're decorative rather than another set of lights, which is exactly what I want: more colour and character without adding more actual lighting.
I'd use them high up on the tree, beyond the children's reach. They might not be the choice for a quiet, traditional scheme, but I like the idea of letting a family Christmas tree have its own personality.
See the fair trade lightbulb garland at Ethical Superstore
8. Artificial pine stems for a simple festive arrangement
Status: On my wish list
I'm also looking at these artificial pine-style stems from Amazon. I like the idea of using a few in a vase to bring some winter greenery into a room without needing a whole new display. The loose, slightly trailing shape is what appeals to me; it feels softer than some of the very stiff faux foliage you can find.
They'd be easy to bring out again next year and style differently, which is exactly the kind of flexibility I look for in seasonal decorations.
See the artificial pine stems on Amazon
A little more festive, without starting again
One of the things I've come to appreciate is that Christmas decorating doesn't need a completely new theme each year, or a huge budget. I prefer keeping the pieces we already enjoy and adding something small when it genuinely catches my eye. A little £2.50 decoration can look wonderful alongside something far more expensive; it's how you bring everything together that matters.
Some of our decorations are more traditional, while the tree in our family space is much more playful. I don't think they all need to coordinate. The bits that make a home feel personal are often the ones that have been collected gradually.
And if nothing new feels quite right this year, I'd much rather use what I already have than buy something just to fill a gap.