Your dorm is your home away from home. When the holidays come, decorating can give you that cozy comfort you need to get through the final exam season. Getting your dorm room ready for the holidays does not have to be an expensive or time-consuming process. It can be easily accomplished with just a few small additions.
For the holidays, dorm rooms can be made to look amazing with the addition of festive lighting or homemade decorations. Even holiday-themed home accents, traditional decor and an artificial Christmas tree!
With the plethora of accessible and low-cost decorations out there, it is easier than ever to make your dorm a cozy place for the holiday season. Keep reading to learn more about the must have decorations that won’t break the bank for the holiday season.
What You Should Buy to Decorate Your Dorm for the Holidays
The holiday season is one of the happiest times of the year, and it is understandable why this is. People are excited to spend time with family and friends and take part in various traditions. Even if you go to university far away from your loved ones, you can still make your dorm feel like home by purchasing these winning holiday decorations.
String Lights
String lights and dorms go together like peanut butter and jelly. If you haven’t already put up string lights in your dorm, now might be the time to start. These lights have the following benefits:
- Inexpensive
- Easy to put up and remove
- A good source of light
Besides their practical applications, string lights have the added benefit of adding some beautiful ambiance to even the most cramped and dismal of dorm room settings.
If you already have string lights in your apartment, you may benefit by swapping them out for some holiday-specific lights. Some string lights are shaped like snowflakes or stars so you can have the excitement of some new decor that will prepare you for the upcoming joy of the holiday season.
Homemade Decor
College tuition is expensive, and it is completely understandable if you cannot afford to go all out in making your dorm room a holiday wonderland. Fortunately, homemade decor is a budget-friendly and DIY method that will only require the purchasing of just a few essential supplies, such as construction paper or markers.
If you want to trick out your dorm room on a budget, consider the following crafts:
- Holiday garlands: Garlands are easy to make, and can be as complex as intricate snowflakes or as simple as an interconnected chain of colored paper. Hang garlands from the walls, above the window, or on your dorm furniture to make the place feel festive.
- Paper snowflakes: Beyond being pretty to look at, constructing paper snowflakes to decorate your dorm has the added benefit of stress relief. Hang these from the ceiling or make standalone ones to put on shelves.
- Christmas kits: Countless holiday craft kits exist that will provide you with the supplies you need to do some DIY decorating. There is bound to be something that works for you!
You should not feel bad if you don’t have the resources to have an expensively-decorated holiday dorm room. These DIY crafts will keep things budget-friendly without sacrificing festivity.
Traditional Holiday Decorations
Regardless of what holiday you celebrate, it could be a great idea to bring some of the holiday decorations you may have at home to decorate your dorm or purchase some small implements.
These items could look great in your dorm room:
- Stockings
- Menorah
- Nutcrackers
- Gingerbread houses
- Snow globes
- Wreaths
Holiday decorations exist to make people happy, and this will be true for your dorm room as well! Check out your local grocery or thrift store to find some inexpensive decorations that will work for your space.
Get a Tree
Christmas trees are an iconic representation of the holiday season, but even if you don’t celebrate Christmas it can be fun to have a small tree in your room.
Your dorm may not allow real trees and you probably do not have the space! Consider buying a mini tree that you can reuse for years to come. Some tree kits even include decorations, but if not, it can be a fun roommate or friends’ night to create your own!
Window Decor
Window decorations will announce to the world that your dorm room is decked out for the holiday season. You can purchase stick-on decorations that are both cute and easy to put on and take off your window. If you do add window decorations, make sure that they are allowed and will not damage the glass.
Focus on the Cozy Details
Whether you go to university in a warm climate or a cold one, the holidays are all about coziness. Focusing on the cozy details in your dorm will do wonders for increasing the holiday atmosphere.
Consider adding the following touches:
- A Christmas or Holiday-scented candle
- A red throw blanket
- Festive throw pillows
- Fun holiday mugs
You should want to spend time in your dorm room! Adding cozy, holiday-themed touches will create a comfortable space for you to pass the time studying for finals and getting ready for winter break.
Conclusion
The holiday season can be a difficult time to be in college. You are usually studying for your exams and missing your home and family. However, holiday decorations can help make your dorm room feel like home as you finish up the school term!
Many easy and inexpensive decorations can add some holiday cheer to your dorm room. Take some time to determine your budget and see what is allowed in your room. If you have a roommate, including them in the decorating process will be essential, too. With a little effort, you will soon have a dorm room that is a perfect place to spend the holiday months.