The holiday season is the best time of year to get everyone you love all their favorite gifts and it’s also easy to splurge on decorating the inside and outside of the house. But it's also important to know when to say no to trendy Christmas decorations that will limit your funds.

Here are some helpful tips on how to avoid overspending on Christmas decorations and have a terrific holiday season.

1. Create a list of priorities.

There are a lot of things that need to be purchased for Christmas, and it can sometimes be difficult to narrow it down. Start with a list of gifts to consider before shopping for Christmas decorations. Prioritize what you must get first so that you know how much you can afford to spend on other things.

2. Build a budget.

Through the first few weeks of December, there are so many things to decorate, so many people to see, so many stores to visit, and so many gifts to buy that it can be difficult knowing where to start. But with a budget set in place, you will have a better shot at spending more money on gifts than on Christmas decorations.

3. Begin shopping earlier rather than later.

In the festive season, it is important to get your loved ones shopping quickly. If you can start a few weeks before Christmas then you should be able to get fantastic deals on presents. Once you’ve taken care of the presents, you’ll have a more realistic idea of how much you can afford to spend on Christmas decorations.

4. Use cash rather than credit cards.

Saving money during the holiday season is not always easy. Credit cards are useful because they allow you to purchase items without having to carry around cash. However, although convenient, relying on them can cost you more in the long run. To avoid overspending, make a point to only use cash for holiday-related purchases.

5. Buy paper-based Christmas decorations in bulk.

There are many Christmas decorations that you can buy in bulk. Whether you are hosting holiday gatherings or simply having a large dinner party at home, you may be overwhelmed by how napkins, paper plates, and paper towels with Christmas themes you need to buy. One simple way to get enough paper-related Christmas decorations is to shop at bulk grocery stores. Since many of their best offers may be available for a limited time only, keep track of any catalogs or coupons you receive in your mail to make sure to place your order quickly.

6. Try the potluck approach.

The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and giving. This can be an expensive time of year when you’re responsible for hosting the food. Instead of serving a banquet, only make a few dishes and ask guests to bring a dish to share. You'll not only save money and enjoy more variety in your holiday meals, but you’ll also have more cash available to spend on some Christmas decorations you would love to have when everyone comes over.

7. Make some of your own Christmas decorations.

While you may have to buy most of your Christmas decorations, you don’t have to buy everything. Instead, get creative and go the DIY route. There are many alternative ways to decorate the house for Christmas, and one budget-friendly option is to make your own Christmas tree with recycled materials. You can also make a wreath out of pinecones or other natural items you find in your neck of the woods.

8. Save money on buying Christmas cards as well as postage.

This holiday season, give your family and friends the gift of e-cards for Christmas. You can send these e-cards to your family overseas or to friends in different cities without paying postage. You can even customize them. For example, you could create a customized digital card for your sister in college with photos from when she was home for Thanksgiving this year. She would be the only one who gets this personal touch! The money you save on cards and postage can be used to get some Christmas decorations that you would not have been able to afford otherwise.

9. Upgrade your Christmas lighting.

Buying Christmas lights this year? Consider investing in LED Christmas lights. These compact, energy-efficient bulbs use up to 85% less power than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer. You will save on your electric bill as well as have better-illuminated Christmas decorations on your tree.

10. Make a trip to the discount store.

When it comes time to wrap the gifts and stuff stockings, you can skip the big retail stores. Dollar stores are a great place to find holiday wrapping supplies, ribbons, tape, and stocking stuffers

In conclusion, saving money this holiday season is all about strategy. The pressure to have the perfect holiday can lead to many people overspending on awesome but expensive Christmas decorations. Try a few of the ideas here to save money on your Christmas decorations this year.