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We love the warmth and joy of the holiday season, but it also hurts our heart to see so much waste afterwards. This holiday season, make your home greener with these 7 DIY eco-friendly holiday decorations. Join the trend of sustainable Christmas decorations and create unique, personalized decor that’s both festive and eco-friendly.
By using materials from your backyard or kitchen, you can reduce your environmental impact and save money. These DIY projects include natural garlands, citrus ornaments, twig stars, and homemade wreaths. They show the growing popularity of eco-friendly holiday decorations.
Bonus: Making your own decorations is a fun activity to do with a group of friends or your kiddos. These ideas will help you create a unique and eco-conscious holiday atmosphere at home.
1. DIY Dried Orange Garlands for a Natural Look
Make your holiday decor warm and rustic with homemade dried orange garlands. These decorations are not just beautiful; they also fill your home with a natural scent. Made from sliced naval oranges, they’re a sustainable and versatile choice for your space.
Why Dried Oranges Are a Sustainable Choice
Dried orange slices are a natural, biodegradable material. They can be reused year after year, making them better than synthetic decorations. Naval oranges are best for this project because of their size and thick rinds.
Slicing the oranges to 1/4 inch or less helps them dry evenly. Bake them at 200°F for 3-5 hours. This ensures they dry perfectly.
How to Make It
- Slice 4 naval oranges into 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick rounds.
- Arrange the orange slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the orange slices at 200°F for 3-5 hours, flipping them every 30 minutes, until they are completely dried and no longer feel gooey.
- Once cooled, thread the dried orange slices onto a piece of hemp twine, spacing them evenly apart.
- For added visual interest, you can intersperse the orange slices with small pinecones, dried rosemary sprigs, or felted pinwheels.
- Hang your homemade dried orange garland over mirrors, mantles, porch railings, or on your Christmas tree to bring a natural, festive touch to your home.
These DIY dried orange garlands are a great way to add diy holiday decor and natural festive materials to your celebrations. They bring the beauty of nature into your home, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
2. Pinecone Ornaments from the Backyard
Bring the outdoors into your home with zero waste ornaments and sustainable decorations made from pinecones. These natural wonders add a rustic charm to your holiday decor. They’re perfect for eco-friendly crafting.
How Pinecones Create Rustic Elegance
Pinecones come in all shapes and sizes, each one unique. They add a natural beauty to your holiday decorations. Their earthy tones and intricate scales bring a timeless charm to your decor.
Decorating Ideas
- Christmas Tree Pinecone Ornaments: Use pinecones, pom-poms, green paint, foam brushes, hot glue, and ribbon. Paint the pinecones, then add pom-poms for a whimsical look.
- Rudolph Reindeer Pinecone Christmas Ornaments: You’ll need pinecones, brown felt, red pom-poms, googly eyes, and twigs. Cut out the reindeer’s face and antlers from felt, then glue everything together.
- Owl Pinecone Christmas Ornaments: Gather pinecones, felt in red, white, brown, and orange, small white pom-poms, and large googly eyes. Use felt to make the owl’s face and body, then glue it all together.
These zero waste ornaments and sustainable decorations are a fun way to celebrate nature. They make your holiday decor unique. Plus, they’re a great activity to do with kids!
3. Recycled Paper Snowflakes
Turn scrap paper into a winter wonderland with eco-friendly paper snowflakes. Use old newspapers, magazines, or Christmas cards to add a personal touch. This craft is easy and fun for everyone, making it great for family activities.
Using Scrap Paper for Zero-Waste Decor
Making snowflakes from recycled paper is both affordable and sustainable. People throw away tons of paper every day. By using it for decorations, you help reduce waste and support ethical crafts.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
- Gather your materials: 6 sheets of paper, Fiskars Micro-tip scissors, and a flat surface to work on.
- Fold each sheet of paper diagonally to create a triangle, then fold it in half to form a smaller triangle.
- Fold the triangle in half twice more, creating a smaller triangular shape.
- Using the scissors, carefully cut out designs along the folded edges of the triangle, making sure not to cut all the way through.
- Unfold the paper to reveal your unique paper snowflake.
- Hang your snowflakes in windows, on walls, or as part of a festive garland to add a touch of winter charm to your zero waste holiday decor and ethical seasonal crafts.
Remember, paper snowflakes are delicate. Handle them gently to keep them beautiful through the holidays. With a bit of creativity and a green mindset, you can make your home a winter wonderland.
4. DIY Beeswax Candles for a Cozy Glow
Make your holiday decor shine with homemade beeswax candles. They add a cozy feel to your home and help local beekeepers. Beeswax candles burn cleaner, last longer, and smell like honey.
Benefits of Beeswax Over Traditional Candles
Beeswax candles are better than regular candles. They’re made from a renewable resource, so they’re good for the planet. They also burn longer and more evenly, and they don’t have a strong scent.
How to Make Them at Home
Making your own beeswax candles is easy and fun. Here’s how to do it:
- Gather your supplies: beeswax, hemp wick, and heat-safe containers (like glass jars).
- Melt the beeswax in a double boiler or beeswax melting pitcher, being careful not to get it too hot.
- Put a wick in your container and hold it in place with a wick sticker or bamboo skewer.
- Pour the melted beeswax into the container, leaving a little room at the top for the wick.
- Let the candle cool and harden completely, which takes about 3-4 hours.
- Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting, and enjoy your homemade candle!
To make your candles even better, try adding coconut oil to the beeswax. You can also use different containers and add essential oils for a scent.
Beeswax candles are great gifts and can be enjoyed all year. They add a natural, cozy touch to your home. Let their warm glow bring joy to your space.
5. Upcycled Jar Lanterns with a Festive Touch
As the holiday season comes near, people are looking for ways to decorate that are good for the planet. One popular idea is turning regular glass jars into beautiful, festive lanterns. This way, you can cut down on waste and make your eco friendly holiday decor truly special.
Why Upcycling Jars is Eco-Friendly
Using glass jars for holiday lanterns is a clever, sustainable decorations choice. Instead of throwing them away, you can reuse them. This not only saves waste but also cuts down on the need for new decorations.
Decorating Ideas
- Clean and dry the jars well, then decorate them with eco-friendly stuff like twine, pine sprigs, or cinnamon sticks.
- Paint the jars with non-toxic, water-based paints for a wintry look.
- Put battery-operated fairy lights or beeswax tea lights inside for a warm glow.
These upcycled jar lanterns can brighten up your holiday season in many ways. Use them as table centerpieces, mantel decorations, or outdoor lights. They add a cozy, festive vibe to your home. Plus, you can use them year after year, making them a lasting part of your eco friendly holiday decor.
“Upcycling glass jars into lanterns is a wonderful way to reduce waste and create unique, personalized decorations that capture the spirit of the holidays.”
6. Edible Decorations: Popcorn and Cranberry Garland
Combining Decor with Edible Fun
Join the plastic-free festivities with a popcorn and cranberry garland. It’s a classic decoration that adds charm to your home. Plus, it’s a tasty treat for birds after the holidays.
How to Make It
Making this garland is a fun activity for the whole family. Start by popping white popcorn kernels a day or two before. This makes them hard and easier to string.
Then, pick fresh cranberries and dried orange slices. Use a big needle and strong thread to string them up. You can pick any pattern you like.
After you finish, hang your garland on the tree, mantel, or as a centerpiece. When it’s time to take it down, hang it outside for the birds. This zero-waste decoration is both beautiful and useful, making your home cozy and festive.
“The tradition of using popcorn on Christmas trees is believed to have roots in early German tree decorations when items like fruit were scarce.”
To keep your garland looking good, spray it with clear Mod Podge. Fresh cranberries might make it last shorter, but making it just before Christmas can help. Don’t use any harmful sprays for the birds.
7. Handmade Wooden Ornaments
Why not dive into the holiday spirit with handmade wooden ornaments? These decorations bring rustic charm to your tree and become family treasures. They can be passed down for years to come.
Sustainable Materials for Long-Lasting Decor
Use sustainable materials like reclaimed wood or fallen branches for your ornaments. This reduces waste and adds a natural beauty. You can sand wood slices smooth and decorate them with non-toxic paints or wood burning.
Try adding natural elements like pine needles and cinnamon sticks for extra flair.
Here’s how to do it:
- Drill a small hole at the top of each ornament and thread it with natural twine or jute for hanging.
- Experiment with various designs, from simple geometric shapes to intricate patterns inspired by nature.
- Add a personal touch by carving initials, dates, or special messages into the wood.
Handmade wooden ornaments are durable and timeless. They can be used year after year, becoming family treasures. They add a natural touch to your holiday display.
Whether on your tree or as gift tags, these ornaments bring joy and warmth to your home.
The trend towards eco-friendly living is growing. This means more people want ethical seasonal crafts and sustainable decorations. By making your own wooden ornaments, you support this movement. You also create unique, lasting pieces that show your style and values.
Final Tips for Eco-Friendly Holiday Decorating
Make your holiday season green by choosing quality over quantity. Use LED lights to save electricity and timers to cut down on power use. Add natural elements like pine cones, branches, and holly berries for a touch of sustainability.
Choose a potted Christmas tree that can be replanted or rented. For gifts, use fabric or recycled paper instead of regular wrapping paper. And don’t forget to store your decorations well to enjoy them for many years.
- Embrace natural, foraged elements like pine cones, branches, and dried flowers for a sustainable, rustic look.
- Use LED lights to save energy and opt for timer switches to reduce unnecessary power consumption.
- Choose a potted or rented Christmas tree that can be replanted or reused after the holidays.
- Wrap gifts in reusable fabric or recycled paper to reduce waste.
- Store decorations properly to ensure they last for years to come.
By following these eco-friendly tips, you can have a green christmas that’s both lovely and sustainable. The most special decorations are those that bring joy and can be kept for years.
Recommended Sustainable Craft Supplies
This holiday season, think about using eco-friendly craft supplies for your decorations. Choose natural materials like twine, hemp cord, and beeswax or soy candles over synthetic ones. Also, pick water-based, non-toxic paints and glues to lessen your environmental footprint.
Invest in durable, reusable tools like metal cookie cutters and glass ornaments. These will last for many years. Look for recycled paper products and FSC-certified wood for your projects. This ensures they are eco-friendly from the beginning.
Join the eco friendly holiday decor trend this year. Pick your materials wisely. Your sustainable choices will make your home festive and help reduce waste.
Here’s a list of sustainable craft supplies for your holiday projects:
- Natural twine or hemp cord
- Water-based, non-toxic paints and glues
- Metal cookie cutters and glass ornaments
- Recycled paper products
- FSC-certified wood crafting materials
Using these eco-friendly options will help you create stunning ethical seasonal crafts. You’ll also be making a positive difference for the environment.
Conclusion
Making sustainable holiday decorations is a fun and modern twist on celebrating the season. It helps the environment and adds a personal touch to your home. By using eco friendly holiday decor, you help make the world a greener place.
The best decorations show your values and create memories with family. Sustainable decorating brings joy and creativity to the holiday season. It turns your home into a festive, eco-friendly space that reflects your values.
Choosing sustainable holiday decorations is good for the planet and fun. It inspires your family and community to live more sustainably. Be proud of your eco-conscious holiday decor and enjoy its beauty and warmth.
