14 Hidden Costs of Holiday Decorating You Should Know

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There’s nothing better than magic, cheer and creating a winter wonderland in your home for the holidays. However, it is easy to forget, as you haul out the boxes of ornaments and string up the lights, how quick the festive vibes can begin chipping away at your wallet. Twinkling lights and garlands that sparkle are enchanting, but they also do sneak some sneaky expenses that could cause you to ask yourself, “where did my holiday budget go?”

There are so many things we don’t factor in when planning for the holidays. So, let’s take a look at these less often talked about expenses so you can have your halls decked without incurring a hefty bank bill.

Electricity Bills Spike

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It turns out those twinkling lights and inflatable snowmen come at a cost—literally. Dozens of strands of lights plugged in can cause your electricity bill to skyrocket. The U.S. Department of Energy says cost of electricity to light a six-foot Christmas tree for 12 hours per day over 40 days would be $10 if using incandescent lights compared with just $0.27 if using LEDs. If you switch to energy efficient LED lights, you will certainly save some money, but you can’t escape the fact that the more lights you have, the more money you’ll spend.

Replacing Worn-Out Decorations

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Doesn’t every family have that one box of ornaments that gets a little lighter every year? Ornaments are shattered, tinsel is tangled, strands of light stop functioning. If you are the kind of person who likes higher end or themed decorations, the cost of replacing even a few of them each year certainly adds up over time.

The Cost of Convenience

Have you ever purchased pre lit trees or wreaths? While those convenient options are a time saver, they almost always cost twice as much as their plain counterparts. Then, there are storage friendly options, such as collapsible trees, clever, sure, but the wallet may need a moment to recover.

DIY Gone Overboard

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Making your own decorations is a great way to save money … until it’s not. A simple DIY project can turn into an expensive endeavor between buying supplies, tools and unexpected extras like glitter glue and ribbons. It may be better to weigh the cost of buying ready made versus making yourself sometimes.

Seasonal Decor Trends

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According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent an average of $230 on holiday decorations, so let’s face it: It can be expensive to stay trendy. Every year introduces a new style, color and theme and it’s hard not to update your decor to fit in. Those modern ornaments and trendy garlands? Yes, they are Instagram worthy, but they’ll drain your budget faster than you can say “holiday spirit.”

Storage Solutions

All of those decorations have to find a home after the holidays. If you are short on storage space, investing in bins, boxes, or even storage units can run costly very quickly. And, it often costs more to keep fragile items safe, either with bubble wrap or specialized containers.

Professional Services Decorating

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Decking out your home with professionals sounds dreamy, but it’s not cheap. Your average professional decorator can charge anywhere from $500 to $5,000 for the job, depending on the size of your home and the complexity of your vision. For most, it’s a last minute splurge they didn’t budget for.

Outdoor Display Repairs

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The elements can take a hit on the outdoor wonderland you’re creating. Decorations can be damaged by wind, rain and snow and require repairs or replacement. That 8-foot inflatable Santa? While it might seem festive now, a tear from a winter storm could be an unplanned expense.

Pest Problems

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Pests love decorations that are stored in basements, attics or garages or kept outdoors. Those cozy boxes are perfect for making a nest with mice, spiders and others. Unexpected costs can come in if you need to clean up their mess, or replace the ruined items.

Gift Wrapping Extras

Item Frugal Shoppers Never Buy During the Holidays — Image Credit: Pixabay

If you set up a wrapping station, or have fancy ribbons to match the tree, those extras can add up. While they are beautiful, premium wrapping paper, bows, and tags are much more expensive than you probably realize. Before you even notice it, it’s easy to spend hundreds.

Shipping Delays and Rush Fees

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Last minute delays when you order decor online will cause you to pay more for rush shipping. With demand soaring, many companies will charge more to make up for tight deadlines during the holidays.

Insurance Costs

If you have lots of displays, adding decorations may mean changing your insurance. Insurers advise some to increase coverage during the holidays to cover the costs of displays or lighting setups. That’s a good safety net to have, but there’s usually a premium.

Special Tools and Accessories

Have you ever bought hooks for outdoor lights or a tree stand? All of these one off items don’t really matter until you’re at the checkout. They can start to add up to a pretty big total over time. And don’t forget about the ladder you’ll have to use to reach the rooftop.

The Cleaning Aftermath

Cleaning after the holidays can be a second job. Wax drips, pine needles, and glitter may require special cleaning supplies or services. This is an often overlooked cost which crops up precisely at the moment you want to relax.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.