No Christmas tree? No problem! Whether space, money, or time is the issue, there are always alternatives for bringing the spirit of the season into your house, apartment, studio, or rented room. Here are twelve easy and affordable tips for incorporating holiday cheer into your home—wherever that may be this December.

1. Hang stockings.
Don’t feel like you can’t have a stocking just because you don’t have a fireplace mantel to hang it on. Door knobs, bed posts, or even a dining chair will do the job just as valiantly.

2. Place ornaments in containers (bowls, trays) that you usually have out.
Do you keep trays, bowls, vases around for decoration? Holid-ize them by filling them with colorful ornaments!

3. Spruce up a spot you often sit at.
Many of us have our go-to spot at home. Whether it’s the sofa, the bed, or the desk chair, it’s the one seat we spend more time in than anywhere else. Place a lil’ something festive near that spot—a Santa figurine or snow globe—so you’ll be sure to see it every day.

4. Create your own DIY banner.
On an ultra-low budget? Feeling crafty? Simply want something that is all your own? Grab some colorful or patterned paper, your trusty scissors, and a piece of twine, and create a banner of your favorite holiday word. A few we love? MERRY. TWINKLE. FESTIVUS.

5. Hang twinkle lights.
A single strand of 200 lights cost $2.99 at Target. Why shouldn’t you do this?

6. Light a holiday scented candle.
Considering this gets us feeling spirited in June, there’s no doubt it does the job in the weeks leading up to the big day (or days, depending on what you’re celebrating). We recommend Nest’s Holiday and Archipelago’s Black Forest.

7. Watch your favorite Christmas movies.
Whether you use Redbox, Netflix, OnDemand, or have your own personal DVD collection, bust out your favorite holiday flicks.

8. Play holiday tunes and dance around the living room.
Yes, we’ve had our favorite holiday hits playing around the clock since mid-November (don’t judge), but this just sounds fun.

9. Make hot cocoa.
Or cider. Or pick up a peppermint mocha latte

10. Bake Christmas cookies and other traditional holiday treats.
Most people have a few recipes reserved for this special time of year. Ask your mom or grandma or coworker for their favorite holiday recipes and take a stab at them yourself. We have a few great options here!

11. Display holiday cards.
The easiest way to fill your home with love. And it’s free.

12. Get a mini tree!
This works too.

all photos by Danielle Moss unless otherwise indicated // twinkle lights photos by Victoria Smith for sfgirlbybay //  hot cocoa photo by Ilenia Martini for Rue Magazine Holiday 2012 Issue // cookies photo by Loreta of All the Beautiful Things // holiday card photo by In Haus Press // mini tree photo by Jennifer Bartoli for Style at Home

alaina kaczmarski