It’s the most wonderful time of the year, folks.

Now that it’s officially December, it’s time to get your dorms and apartments decked out for the holidays. However, all those decorations could add up and get you into some serious debt.

Keeping in mind college students’ stereotypically tight budgets, we came up with some cheap and easy ways to brighten up your place for the season.

Stop By McLanahan’s

As most students may know, McLanahan’s is the spot for pretty much anything you need. That’s especially true during the holidays. Currently, the store has a huge Christmas section filled with decorations and festive outfits.

From stockings to tinsel to mini Christmas trees, you name it, and McLanahan’s probably sells it. For just $5, you can even pick up a set of 100 lights that come in either white, blue, or multi-colored.

Decorate A Traffic Cone

If you happen to have a traffic cone lying around (and if you don’t, why don’t you?), then this one’s perfect for you.

Take that worn-down traffic cone and give it a Christmas makeover by dressing it up like a Christmas tree. Get a pack of green tinsel and wrap it around the entire cone, making sure it’s covered from head to toe. If you’re feeling especially festive, add on cheap ornaments and lights to give it some extra flare.

Make Snow Globes

Get a mason jar or clear container of some kind and superglue a small figurine onto the inside of the lid. Then, find glitter or create your own faux snow and add it to the jar. Load it up with water and glycerin, screw the lid back onto the jar, give it a shake, and you’re good to go.

DIY Garlands

Keep it simple by getting string and popping some popcorn. Once that’s done, you can start stringing them together. Although the popcorn may only last a week or two before going bad, it’ll at least briefly make your space smell pretty damn good.

Don’t have any popcorn? No worries. By using some old papers and assignments, you can make a chain garland.

Simply cut your papers into strips and connect each end with staples or tape to make a loop. Insert the second piece of paper in that loop and continue to make links until the chain’s length is satisfactory.

Another easy garland idea for all the nursing and STEM majors out there is to tie a chain of disposable gloves to one another. Nothing says “I love my major and the holidays” more than a glove garland.

Create Fireball Shooter Lights

@shannonispilgrim

fireball lightssss #fireball #christmas #college #fypシ

♬ underneath the tree – c

If you’re feeling extra creative and have fireball shooters lying around, put them to use by attaching them to a string of lights.

Wash out each shooter and use a sharp object to make small holes in the caps. Get your lights of choice and insert the light bulbs inside each shooter. Hang them up, turn those bad boys on, and watch your room brighten up instantly.

DIY Snowflakes

Most of us have old homework assignments or papers you have lying around. Why not turn them into pretty snowflakes?

This project takes up barely any time and is by far the most cost-efficient option. Cut up your papers however you may please and attach your newfound snowflakes to string or ribbon. From there, they can hang from the ceiling. Glitter is always a good addition if you want to make them pop, too.