9 Holiday Decor Ideas You Can Reuse Every Year

Using the decorations you already own is a practical way to reduce waste, save money and avoid purchasing items that only add clutter to your home. Start by going through your self-storage unit, garage, attic, basement and other areas where you might be keeping existing holiday decor. You'll often find that many of these items are still in good condition and can be reused in creative ways. For example, you might use a string of lights in a different room or give old ornaments a new look with some DIY updates.

Fresh wreaths typically only last three to eight weeks, depending on the climate. If you’re looking for an easy way to add a pop of color to your walls and doors year after year, consider making your own wreaths from dried florals and interchangeable accents or embellishments.

Every wreath begins with a wreath frame — the underlying base that gives your wreath durability and structure. Wreath bases are often wire mesh, but you can find ones made of natural sources like dried grapevine, boxwood and even straw. Materials like these provide a sturdy foundation but look attractive enough to be displayed on their own. Simply add dried florals, ornaments, ribbons, lights and other accents to dress up your wreath frame to match your interior design style. You can swap out these embellishments depending on the season, allowing you to keep your wreaths up all year long if you want. If you need more inspiration, you can find dried floral wreath ideas on Pinterest.

LED lights are a versatile staple of any holiday decorating plan. They can be used indoors or outdoors and come in a range of bulb sizes and shapes, allowing you to get creative with your arrangements. Even better, they’re more energy-efficient than fluorescent or incandescent lights, saving you money and reducing waste. 

Consider stringing lights along focal points like sidewalks, driveways, eaves, windows and trees. Place the brightest lights in the areas that you want to draw the most attention to (like columns or doors) and map out the rest of the plan from there. To actually hang the lights, you can use adhesive light clips for columns and railings and universal clips for rooflines. Just make sure you have an extension cord located near a power source so you can plug them in.

Here are some holiday-themed LED ideas to inspire you:

• Drape tiny LED string lights around your wreaths, bookshelves and mantel.
• Wrap LED fairy lights into the shape of a wreath and hang them from ceiling hooks.
• Add a bit of flair to tree branches and bushes in your front yard with multicolored LEDs.
• Place LED tea lights into glass jars to create your own lanterns — perfect for adding coziness to an intimate sit-down dinner, holiday movie night or cookie decorating session.

If you’re short on space, holiday mantel decor is a simple yet effective way to add a bit of visual interest to your living room. Drape tinsel over your fireplace mantel to add color. Alternatively, consider ceramic holiday figurines or baskets of glitter pine cones. If you’re feeling crafty, you can even make some paper snowflakes to drape over the fireplace. Once the holidays are over, simply store the items in an airtight container until you’re ready to use them again.

While you can certainly buy snow globes that will last years, consider making your own as a budget-friendly stocking stuffer or as a group activity with your loved ones. Start by gluing the lid of a Mason jar together (i.e., glue the screw band to the flat lid) to prevent leaking. Then, use waterproof glue to attach half of a small white foam ball to the lid. After it has dried, use more waterproof glue to attach figurines, trees or other holiday pieces to the foam on the inside of the Mason jar and let it dry overnight. To complete the look, fill the jar with distilled water, glitter and a few drops of glycerin. Turn it upside down and you have your very own DIY snow globe.

From heartfelt to cheeky, holiday signs come in a range of styles that are sure to get you and your guests in the holiday spirit. Whether it’s a vintage poster of a classic holiday movie, a hanging chalkboard with handwritten holiday messages or even an eclectic mix of reindeer and snowmen signs, you can mix and match holiday signs for both the inside and outside of your home. If you’re hanging them outdoors, make sure it’s made from plastic or metal to withstand rain and other weather conditions.

A fabric advent calendar is an excellent example of a reusable twist on a traditional holiday item. Typically, these calendars feature small pockets or compartments for each day of December leading up to Christmas, though you can easily adjust the concept for the holiday you’re celebrating. You can fill the pockets with small treats, notes or trinkets, creating a daily surprise for family members. The beauty of a fabric advent calendar lies in its adaptability — it can be hung on a wall, hung over a mantle or even placed as a centerpiece on a table. You can easily buy a high-quality fabric advent calendar, but if you’re in the mood to make your own, simply find festive holiday patterns from JoAnn Fabrics or a similar retailer and then download a sewing pattern for an advent calendar. You might want to choose a fabric that’s similar in color to your other decorations to match your home decor.

Glass ornaments can shatter easily, especially if you have young kids or pets. Instead, opt for durable wood ornaments or ones made from reclaimed materials. You can even make your own if you’re looking for a fun group activity to do with family and friends. Start by purchasing some wood slice ornaments and painting them with your favorite colors. After letting them dry for at least an hour, you can paint designs or write holiday slogans with a marker. To finish the look, you can add a plaid or red ribbon to hang the ornament from the tree. If wood isn’t your preferred material, you can use clay instead.

A holiday bar cart on wheels is a great way to bring the festive spirit to any area of your home. Simply drape a holiday-themed tablecloth or runner over a plain kitchen cart. Stock the top shelf with a selection of holiday spirits, mixers and wines (or your non-alcoholic beverages of choice), along with appropriate glasses. Adorn the cart with holiday items such as mini wreaths, garlands and fairy lights, and make sure you make any bar tools and garnishes like citrus slices and cinnamon sticks easily accessible. Don't forget to include snacks like nuts or holiday cookies and add LED jar lanterns for a cozy ambiance. When the holidays are over, place any embellishments in an airtight box, clean the cart and use it as a portable storage option in your kitchen or another area of your home.

After the holidays are over, it’s important to store your decorations properly to ensure you can reuse them for years to come. Start by cleaning the items to remove dust and grime. Keep LED lights and other delicate items in their original packaging or bubble wrap to prevent damage. If you have tablecloths or other fabric items, wash and dry them before storing them in a cool, dry spot. Keeping items in plastic bins or other airtight containers can help protect against mildew, moisture and bugs. If you don’t have room for the decorations in your basement or garage, you can rent a climate-controlled storage unit. Keeping your holiday items in a storage unit is an easy, effective way to safely store items until the next holiday season. In the meantime, happy decorating and enjoy the holiday season!