13 Eco-Friendly Christmas Decorations You Can Make at Home

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The holiday season is upon us and we are all anxiously waiting for the twinkling lights, beautiful meals, and cheery decorations; but, we need to think about how we can celebrate sustainably. Sometimes the joy of the season can be overshadowed by overconsumption and waste, but there are lots of ways to make your holiday decor beautiful and eco friendly. One great way of reducing your environmental impact and adding a personal touch to your home at the same time is to create your own decorations from natural or recycled materials.

While not all of these ideas will personally suit your taste in decor, with a little creativity and effort, you can convert everyday items into festive decorations that will brighten up your space without adding to landfill waste. In this guide, we will explore 13 simple and charming DIY projects that you can make at home and turn your holidays as a greener and more mindful experience.

Cinnamon Stick Ornaments

Cinnamon is a scent that reminds us of the holidays, and you can infuse that cozy smell into your home with these easy cinnamon stick ornaments. Tie a bundle of a few handfuls of sticks of cinnamon. A few sprigs of pine or dried flowers can even be added for extra flair. Either hang them on your tree or use them as festive hangers for your door handles or mantel. They smell so subtly naturally that you will fill your home with holiday cheer.

Pine Cone Decorations

They are a natural gift from the outdoors and make wonderful, earth friendly holiday decorations. They are perfect for wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces. Pine cones can be decorated with a dusting of eco friendly glitter or you can dip them in beeswax for a shiny finish. To make them really standout, tie them with twine and hang them on your Christmas tree to bring a natural and woodland feel to your holiday decor.

Recycled Paper Ornaments

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Instead of buying plastic ornaments, why not craft your own out of old newspapers, magazines or scrap paper? They can be turned into all sorts of shapes — stars, hearts, or simple round baubles. You can use scraps of wrapping paper or even old holiday cards to make something one of a kind. It’s a great way to reuse paper that otherwise would end up in the recycling bin and give it a second life as decoration.

Dried Orange Slice Garland

A warm, citrusy fragrance of dried orange slices is the ultimate holiday. These are simple yet beautiful garlands that can be hung on your tree or your mantel or even along a windowsill. To make them, slice oranges thin and dry in oven or air dry for a few days. Thread, once dried, onto string or twine, and voilà, you’ve got a fragrant, eco friendly garland that looks festive and adds some natural beauty to your home.

Fabric Scrap Wreath

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You can easily turn your leftover fabric scraps from previous projects or old clothes into a colorful and cozy wreath. Tie them around a wire wreath frame and cut the fabric into strips. This is a great way to use up fabrics that would otherwise go into the bin. You can match colors and textures and use the same wreath for lots of different holidays, or even mix and match colors and textures to fit your style, and when the holiday season is over, store it and use again and again.

Twig Tree Decorations

Grab some twigs and branches from your yard to make gorgeous, nature inspired decorations. Craft miniature Christmas trees out of them, cluster them and hang them on your wall, or string them together into a rustic wreath. These rustic twig based decorations are great if you want a simple, nature inspired Christmas.

Upcycled Sweater Stockings

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Is there an old sweater that has seen better days? Don’t throw it out, make it into a set of cozy Christmas stockings! All you have to do is cut the sweater to the size of a stocking and then sew up the ends. If you’re feeling particularly crafty, you can add buttons, lace, or fabric scraps to give them a bit of an extra special character to them.

Pressed Flower Ornaments

Breaking Bloom: World’s 25 Most Gorgeous Flowers That’ll Leave You Spellbound — Image Credit: Madmad1234/Wikimedia Commons

Eco friendly ornaments made from pressed flowers aren’t just for scrapbooks. Press flowers using a flower press or between two heavy books. Once they dry, you can place them in clear ornaments or glue them to cardboard cutouts of holiday shapes. They are beautiful, delicate, colorful and with a touch of natural beauty on your tree.

Burlap Ribbon Garland

All around the world, Burlap is a sustainable fabric that is great for most holiday decorations. Burlap ribbon can be used to make garlands, wreaths or even a tree skirt. Your decorations will be warm and rustic, thanks to burlap’s natural texture. Also, it’s durable enough for reuse year after year, which makes it an eco friendly option for long term holiday decorating.

Homemade Beeswax Candles

Unrecognizable African American female pouring melted wax from beaker into glass mold with wooden wick while making candles at table — Photo Credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels

Traditionally, candles are a classic part of Christmas décor, but paraffin candles are bad for the environment. Why not make your own beeswax candles instead? It’s a natural, non toxic, clean burning material that fills your home with the sweet smell of honey. The beeswax can be molded into holiday shapes such as stars, trees and even simple pillars. Not only are these homemade candles better for the planet, but they also make for a warm, cozy glow during your celebrations.

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendar

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Why not make your own with reusable materials instead of buying a plastic filled Advent calendar? Fill small fabric pouches, matchboxes or wooden drawers with treats or activities to match each day. You can string them up in a row or put them on a wooden board and hang them for festive display. Using this DIY advent calendar can reduce waste and make your holiday countdown more personal, year after year.

Sustainable Gift Wrapping

The Environmental Protection Agency says that during the holiday season, we generate about 25 percent more waste, thanks to gift wrap, packaging, and decorations, so why not wrap your presents with fabric, newspaper or even old maps, instead of traditional wrapping paper? Scrap paper, cardboard, or even old greeting cards can be made into your own gift tags, too. Not only do we eliminate the need for single use wrapping paper, it also adds a personalized, thoughtful touch to your gifts.

Wood Slice Decorations

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Natural, earthy Christmas decoration is easy to create with wood slices. Using some paint (or a stencil), you can paint or apply stencil designs on the slices, plain old geometric designs or holiday designs like snow flakes or reindeers. Add twine with a hole punch and hang them on your tree or around your home as rustic coasters or table centerpieces. Festive décor gets a little outdoor touch with these handmade pieces.

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