5 ways to decorate your dorm room for Christmas … on a budget

The end of the fall semester is drawing near, and college students everywhere are swamped with papers, exams, and the last minute stress of the semester. In the midst of this time, the Christmas season is beginning, and peppermint lattes, snow, and a general effusion of red and green begin to take over homes and businesses. 

While budgeting is a necessary part of dorm living, that doesn’t mean that students have to deny themselves a little bit of Christmas spirit. That’s why I’ve put together a list of five ways to decorate your dorm room for Christmas on a budget! 

1. Let it snow!

This first decoration is simple, nostalgic, and can be used in any number of ways! All you need is some paper and scissors and you can create your own personal flurry of snowflakes. You can look up designs and patterns on the internet, or simply make it up as you go along. Either way, this is a fun activity for roommate night. Make some hot cocoa, turn on some festive music, and “let it snow!” Hang them with ribbon or string from the ceiling, or simply tape them to your mirrors or windows. No matter how you choose to decorate, paper snowflakes are an easy way to make your space festive and make some memories!

2. Tied up with string

It’s amazing how far a single roll of wrapping paper can get you. Easily purchased from the Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, or Target, yet extremely versatile for decorating! Want to stand out from the rest of your hall? Wrap your front door with some festive paper! You can also wrap your out-of-season wall decor for a cheap, simple way to transform your space. There is no end to what you can do with some colorful Christmas paper – learn some origami, make a paper chain garland, or use it the old fashioned way and wrap some presents! With a little creativity, that wrapping paper roll can be your ticket to a winter wonderland in your dorm.

3. O Christmas tree

A dorm room decor favorite is the tiny Christmas tree. These can be purchased almost anywhere you can get Christmas decorations and are usually surprisingly affordable. For being so little, it can have a huge impact on making your dorm feel like home for the holidays. Because these trees are so tiny, decorating them doesn’t take much time, money, or energy! Add a tiny string of lights and some ribbon, or try some DIY ornaments. If every roommate contributes two or three ornaments, your little tree will very soon be bursting! Once it’s set up and decorated, turn off the lights and let the sparkling tree bring you a little Christmas spirit. 

4. Ribbons and bows

A versatile and cost-effective decorating tool is ribbon. Purchase some thin velvet ribbon and make little bows to put at the ends of your tiny tree’s branches. Get a thick spool with wire edges and make some massive bows to put on your door or at the end of your bed. String up some ribbon across your window or let it dangle down in long curling strands. You could even wrap it around your bedframe for a candy-cane look! Whatever your Christmas vibe is, ribbon will only help make your dorm look like the north pole.

5. Nifty and thrifty

Want something that’s not DIY? Thrift stores are an excellent source of affordable holiday decorations. You can find all kinds of little knickknacks that would go well in your dorm. Look for some holiday mugs for hot chocolate, or a small festive candy dish. You may even find some pretty tablecloths or old wreaths! But what happens if I don’t want to take the decorations home at the end of college? Most thrift stores have a place where you can return goods as well. If you have no room in your suitcase after you graduate simply bring the decorations back for someone else to enjoy!