16 Genius Ways to Reuse Holiday Décor Year After Year

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Holiday decorating is fun. Magical twinkle of lights, shimmer of garlands and cheer of ornaments fill our homes with magical vibes. However, after the celebrations come to an end, many of us find ourselves with the same question: what do we do with all of the décor? It feels wasteful to toss it and is a wasted opportunity to store it for a whole year.

Fortunately, holiday decorations have a second life outside of the season with a pinch of creativity and a dash of practicality. You can use them year after year for everyday home accents and DIY projects that give new life to old favorites. Let’s have a look at some fun ideas that you can try.

Transform Old Ornaments Into Home Accents

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Ornaments don’t need to spend all year in storage boxes. Repurpose glass or metallic baubles as vase fillers, and you’ll have sparkly decoration for your living room or dining table. They’re great to use to make your own custom wind chimes – string a few together and hang them on your porch. It’s a little bit of holiday magic, without the snow.

Use Garland as Greenery

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Holiday garlands can serve a purpose beyond creating a frame for a doorway. Try weaving them into your year round home décor by placing them on mantels, bookshelves, or even as table runners. To be adventurous, spray paint the garland another neutral color to match with your current theme.

String Lights Around Everyday Spaces

Close Up Photo of Brown String Lights
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What I like to call the unsung heroes of coziness are string lights. For a soft, warm glow, wrap them around headboards, drape them over mirrors and weave them through indoor plants. A ResearchGate study showed that lighting can improve mood!

Turn Gift Bags Into Wall Art

Side view of crop anonymous female friends sitting at table with various colorful gift bags bought for occasion
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Have you ever had a gift bag so nice you don’t want to trash it? Frame it! Gift bags with festive designs or elegant prints can make affordable wall art. It’s a win win for your budget and your décor game.

Repurpose Holiday Ribbons

Lavish Gifting
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Holiday ribbons are the cherry on top of the sundae; they make anything better just by touching it. Tie them to curtains, wrap them around a plain picture frame, or use them as a bookmark. You’d never realized just how versatile ribbons could actually be!

Make Wreaths Multi-Seasonal

Christmas Wreath
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Holiday wreaths can be used all year round with a little tweaking. Overtly seasonal elements (red berries, pinecones, etc.) should be removed and replaced with flowers, seashells, or neutral toned bows. Each season, you’ll have a custom wreath without buying a new one.

Recycle Tree Branches

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The good news, if you are using a real Christmas tree, don’t toss those branches! The trimmed pieces can be used for centerpiece greenery, or scented sachets with a touch of essential oils. It’s a small way to keep the holiday spirit alive.

Craft Candle Holders

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It’s unlikely that you’ll have too many leftover candle holders, but if you do have candle jars or holders from the holidays, they can shine again. Clean out the wax and turn them into organizers for makeup brushes, pencils and kitchen utensils. It’s functional and charming, a two for one!

Turn Old Cards Into New Projects

Handmade Holiday Cards
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Lovely artwork fills holiday cards that too frequently end up in the trash. Cut out the designs to use as bookmarks, gift tags, or scrapbook embellishments. It’s a nice way to prolong the lives of those heartfelt greetings.

Use Stockings for Storage

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It’s not just the mantle that should get holiday stockings. Repurpose them as unique storage solutions for toy, craft supplies, or off season clothing accessory like scarves. Bonus: they’re easy to hang!

Create Holiday-Themed Pillows

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If you have leftover holiday fabric or a tree skirt that you don’t use anymore, then this is the tutorial for you! Make throw pillow covers out of them! This is a cozy addition to your living space without it screaming Christmas.

Reimagine Snow Globes

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Whimsical terrariums can be made out of snow globes. Take out the holiday figurines and replace them with tiny plants, moss or small decorative items to make this a magical year round piece.

Use Beads for Jewelry

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Holiday decorations that are beaded can become used for jewelry in your DIY projects. Leftover beads make for fun bracelets, necklaces, or keychains, and it’s a great activity to do with kids.

Turn Tinsel Into Glam Accents

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Tinsel isn’t just for trees. Fill it into clear ornaments or vases or just use it as a sparkly addition to gift wrapping. Shimmering a little will never be a bad thing! It also helps to reduce waste which, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, increases by 25% during holidays.

Revamp Tree Skirts

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Why not take some of those gorgeous fabric tree skirts and turn them into table runners or cushion covers? This is a handy way to make use of them beyond December. Its good on your decor and your wallet.

Reinvent Holiday Figures

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You can even change that cute snowman or reindeer statue to a general décor piece. Paint them in neutral colors or accessorize with non seasonal things so they don’t stand out year round.

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

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