Stop handing Anthropologie $88 for a single brass bell. We all admire their holiday catalogs filled with rich velvet, warm metallics, and quirky heirlooms. Yet your holiday budget does not need to take a hit for good style. With a quick trip to the thrift store and basic crafting supplies, you can pull off that same collected aesthetic on your own. If you love anthropologie christmas decor, you know the signature look relies on texture, weathered patinas, and unexpected character rather than factory perfection.
Ready to make your holiday guests think you spent a fortune? Grab a shopping basket and track down the pieces for these 15 budget DIY projects.
1. Antiqued Brass Candlesticks with Rub ‘n Buff
Anthropologie routinely scatters mismatched brass tapers across holiday mantels. Thrift store shelves hold plenty of dated, tarnished, or cheap metal candle holders. Pick up five or six brass-plated or turned wood holders for a dollar or two apiece.
Grab a tube of antique gold Rub ‘n Buff and rub it across the surface with your fingertip or a soft cloth. Buff the raised details to bring out an aged, gilded luster. Group them at varying heights and finish the look with forest green or beeswax tapers.
2. Pressed Floral Glass Ornaments
Retailers charge upwards of $18 for a single botanical glass bauble. Instead of overpaying, hunt down flat glass floating frames or plain, clear glass bulb ornaments in the secondhand aisles.
Press dried ferns, cedar clippings, and small flower petals between heavy books for a few days. Slide the greenery inside the glass bulbs, or sandwich the botanicals between thrifted glass coasters secured with copper foil tape. The glass catches Christmas tree lights and gives your branches a delicate, botanical feel.
3. Oversized Paper Mâché Holiday Bells
Rustic, weathered bells appear in every designer holiday collection once winter arrives. You do not need authentic European church bells to pull off the look. Scout thrift stores for plastic toy bells, small plastic garden pots, or old party supplies.
Tear brown kraft paper into narrow strips and glue them over your base using a simple paste of flour and water. After the paper dries, coat the uneven surface with textured plaster paint and antique gold wax. Tie a pair to a thick jute rope, then hang them over your front porch or above a mirror for immediate visual weight.
4. Rich Velvet Ribbon Garlands
Skip stiff wired ribbon and use plush velvet to set a softer mood. Dig through thrift store textile bins for discarded velvet dresses, heavy curtains, or vintage scarves. Real cotton-blend velvet hangs with far more weight and drape than cheap craft spools.
Tear or slice the fabric into two-inch strips, leaving the frayed edges rough for an organic look. Tie long, loose bows onto evergreen boughs, picture frames, and door latches. If you want more inspiration for styling textured fabrics, browse our anthropologie christmas decor guide.
5. Hand-Painted Delft Blue Ceramic Baubles
Folk-art ceramics bring historic warmth to a Christmas tree. Secondhand shops usually carry bins of outdated porcelain ornaments throughout November. Snag them for pennies.
Paint the ornaments with flat white chalk paint to block out old graphic patterns. Grab a fine-tip paintbrush and cobalt blue acrylic paint to sketch folk leaves, songbirds, and scrollwork across the surface. Seal the pieces with a clear gloss coat to reproduce the look of fired earthenware pottery.
6. Fluted Mercury Glass Hurricanes
Big retail brands charge high prices for aged mercury glass hurricanes and candle cups. Skip the markup and pick up ribbed glassware or vintage canning jars from the thrift kitchen section. You can fake the look of antique mirrored glass in minutes.
Mist the inside of the glass lightly with water, then spray an even layer of mirror paint over the droplets. The paint pools around the water, creating a spotted, antiqued finish. Drop a flickering tea light inside to give your dining table a warm, dappled glow.
7. Dried Citrus and Bay Leaf Garlands
Natural elements provide an earthy counterweight to eclectic holiday displays. Instead of buying boxed dried fruit garlands, make your own for pocket change. Slice blood oranges, navel oranges, and grapefruits into thin rounds.
Bake the slices on parchment paper at 200°F for three hours until the fruit dries out completely. Thread the translucent citrus rounds onto kitchen twine, mixing in dried bay leaves and thrifted wooden beads. Hang the strand along your range hood or over the fireplace for an aromatic, rustic touch.
Styling Tip for Maximum Impact:
- Layer two strands together to build extra fullness.
- Weave micro fairy lights through the twine to illuminate the fruit rounds after dark.
8. Gilded Thrifted Baroque Mirrors with Evergreen Swags
An ornate vintage mirror provides a classic anchor for holiday styling. Secondhand shops always have plenty of detailed resin and wood frames. Remove any existing artwork and insert inexpensive mirror glass or back panels treated with mirror paint.
Brush gold leaf paint or dark paste wax into the molded carvings to emphasize the depth. Wire fresh cedar or pine boughs to the top corners, finishing the display with long velvet ribbons. The glass bounces your holiday lights back into the room while creating a clear centerpiece.
9. Ceramic Gingerbread Village with Faux Snow
Full ceramic holiday villages from designer stores can easily run over $200. Thrift stores constantly receive dated, brightly glazed 1980s houses that look out of style in their original paint. Pick up three or four cottages for a few dollars.
Spray the buildings in a flat terracotta or matte linen shade. Use dimensional white paint to outline roof edges, doors, and window casings like royal icing. Tuck battery-operated tea lights inside each building to make a clean Scandinavian village along your mantelpiece.
10. Faux Fur and Brocade Stocking Upcycles
Replace flimsy felt stockings with heavier, tailored materials. Designer holiday collections rely on high-contrast pairings, combining woven patterns with thick, tactile trims. Secondhand shops carry plenty of discarded wool sweaters, woven pillow covers, and faux fur coats.
Trace an old stocking to cut matching panels from your thrifted fabrics. Stitch the sides together, then sew a faux fur cuff around the opening. Browse Architectural Digest to see how combining rich textures gives seasonal spaces a collected, intentional look.
11. Starburst Wire Tree Toppers
Star motifs appear in almost every high-end holiday catalog. Instead of paying $50 for a stamped metal star, create your own with items from the hardware aisle or craft bin. You only need a dense foam ball, thin brass wire or wooden skewers, and spray paint.
Push wires of varying lengths outward from the center core to build a three-dimensional starburst. Coat the entire piece in antique brass spray paint, then lightly dust the tips with fine gold glitter. Secure a craft clamp or floral wire to the base to anchor the topper to the top branch.
12. Scalloped Edge Marble-Look Pedestals
Scalloped details bring personality to holiday serving tables. You can assemble this designer staple using a thrifted wooden bowl and a glass candlestick. Trace repeating half-circles along the bowl rim with a coin, then trim out the scalloped edges using a handheld rotary tool.
Fasten the bowl to the turned glass base with strong construction adhesive. Coat the piece in textured stone spray paint, or use a feather to paint subtle marble veins across the surface. Use the pedestal to lift pillar candles, fresh fruit, or glass ornaments above your tabletop.
13. Vintage Book Page Snowflakes
Paper crafts bring soft texture to a room without draining your wallet. Pick up a worn, water-stained book or torn sheet music from the secondhand book bin. Yellowed pages offer far more character than bright white office paper.
Fold the printed sheets into pleated rosettes, or snip them into delicate medallion patterns with precision scissors. Fasten them down your stair handrail or suspend them in a bright window with clear thread. For more styling ideas that turn simple materials into festive accents, explore our anthropologie christmas decor ideas.
14. Jewel-Toned Wine Glass Candle Clusters
Tinted glassware turns an everyday dining table into a styled holiday shoot. While high-end glass sets carry steep price tags, thrift shops sell mismatched colored stemware for pocket change. Look for deep amber, moss green, and smoky purple glasses.
Turn the glasses upside down over your table runner, tucking fresh rosemary stems or small pinecones beneath the bowls. Place small pillar candles or tea lights directly on the flat bases. The rich glass tones catch the candle flame and cast warm color across your dinner table.
15. Chunky Knit Botanical Tree Skirt
Never leave a plain metal stand exposed beneath your tree. Designer tree skirts use thick cable knits and embroidered details, but they also carry inflated prices. Pick up a heavy cable knit blanket or fringed throw from the thrift linen shelves instead.
Cut a straight line to the center point so the fabric wraps cleanly around the tree trunk. Stitch simple pine boughs onto the knit using leftover green yarn, or safety-pin small brass bells along the trim. You get the look of an alpine cabin for the price of a cup of coffee.
The Magic of Budget Holiday Styling
High-end seasonal decor does not demand an empty bank account. The best Anthropologie rooms celebrate collected textures, handcrafted details, and older objects with history. A can of paint and an afternoon of thrifting can give your home true warmth and personality. Pick your favorite project from the list, heat up your glue gun, and start building your holiday collection today.