We produce more waste during the Christmas period than any other time of year, with some spending a third of their monthly salary on gifts. We tend to go a bit consumption crazy around December in our attempts to create magical memories. But these magical moments don’t need to cost you, or the planet, an arm and a leg, Turn on your favourite holiday music, make a festive drink and DIY some eco-friendly Christmas decorations that won’t hurt the planet.
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Christmas Wreath
Starting from the outside in, your door wreath is one of the perfect eco-friendly Christmas decorations to start with. Wreath circles are pretty easy to come by in dollar stores, or you can make your own from cardboard (see tutorial). Select your greenery according to what’s available and what you can rummage in your area. Originating in Northern and Eastern Europe, traditionally Christmas wreaths are made from evergreen clippings left over from shaping your Christmas tree. But you can make a wreath out of other leaves like boxwood, eucalyptus and even rosemary.
Eco-Friendly Tip: Remember to compost your leaves and save your circle for your next Christmas wreath project.
Copper Candlestick Holder
Humans go way back with copper, it was one of the first metals we used dating back to the Neolithic period. It’s also extremely reusable and can be recycled repeatedly without losing any quality. Copper and copper pipe home decor has become an increasingly popular way to add a natural element to your space. This DIY doubles as a year round decor piece too, copper isn’t just for Christmas, it’s for life.
Eco-Friendly Tip: This DIY can be regifted (shame to recycle such a beautiful DIY) or recycled. Some recycling facilities will even buy your copper from you.
Clay Tree Ornament
Born from the earth, (literally, it’s clay), clay tree ornaments are a quick and easy eco-friendly Christmas DIY. To keep it eco-friendly, choose a clay made from natural earth that’s biodegradable or compostable at the end of its life. Polymer clays contain PVC and have to go to landfill. You can even make your own modelling clay with this tutorial if you want to be extra sure.
Eco-Friendly Tip: Keep plastics out of your clay so you can return them to the earth when they’re done.
Bird Seed Tree Ornament
While we’re on the theme of tree ornaments, what about making an outside one for some of the birds in your area? This might be more suited to those with yards and trees but you could always guerrilla decorate the trees around you too. Christmas bird seed decorations for everyone! Studies show birds fed over the winter are healthier and more productive – so why not spread the Christmas cheer to our feathered friends too.
Eco-Friendly Tip: Use a natural fibre string like jute, sisal or hemp that can go into your compost when the ornament is eaten.
Evergreen Garland
We’re back to the evergreens with this DIY for a natural, festive garland so scoop up all the leftovers from your tree trimming and wreath making and start gathering your pile of leaves. Draping a garland in your home goes back to the winter solstice when people would bring greenery inside as a symbol of perseverance through the cold months. And while this garland might not preserve well (they last about 20 days), at least it can bring some cozy festive feels while it’s around.
Eco-Friendly Tip: Use twine instead of wire so your entire garland is compostable.
Paper Garland
Can you draw a triangle? Then you can probably do this next Christmas DIY. A paper garland is an easy way to bring instant Christmas to your home. With an extra bonus of being a nice and simple five minute eco-friendly Christmas decoration. They don’t take very long and you really just need paper, scissors and string and away you go.
Eco-Friendly Tip: Up-cycle old newspaper, paper or old Christmas cards for your garland.
Wooden Bead Garland
To finish off our hat trick of garlands, we have the simple and elegant bead garland. Not to be confined to just Christmas, a bead garland can look good all year round – but they really come into their own in winter. This is an easy level DIY and once you have all your supplies (i.e. beads and twine), it comes together in just a few minutes.
Eco-Friendly Tip: Use natural wood beads and avoid painting them so they stay completely compostable.
Paper Window Decorations
Next on our list of eco-friendly Christmas decorations are paper window decorations. This is another quick and ridiculously effective DIY, although you can get as detailed as you like with these, some people really go for it. If you want to keep it simple, go for a 2D design, if you’re feeling extra festive go for the 3D versions. A classic Christmas village is a great way to go or some simple snowflakes make an easy instant Christmas DIY.
Eco-Friendly Tip: Upcycle used paper or cardboard rather than buying new.
Citrus Garland
Ok we lied about stopping at the garland hat trick, we have another on our list of eco-friendly Christmas decorations – a dried citrus garland. This garland is one of the easiest on our list with the longest time taking to dry the fruit, and that’s the oven’s job more than yours. You just need your preferred fruit, orange is a must (Christmas loves oranges), but you can pick whatever you like, grapefruit, lemons, limes etc. and some string.
Eco-Friendly Tip: Stick to natural fibre twine to string your fruit and your entire garland is compostable when you’re done.
Christmas Boxes
This last eco-friendly Christmas DIY is easy enough for a child to make and I know this because I made a million of these as a child. Plus you, or they, get to learn a new skill – origami! Gather your old Christmas cards or paper that’s lying around, cut them into squares for folding and away you go. You’ll have a selection of up-cycled Christmas boxes in no time. You can place them in your home amongst your other holiday decor, add string for a tree decoration, or turn them into little gift boxes for your friends and family. Little Christmas boxes for everyone I say.
Eco-Friendly Tip: Use matte or non glossy paper to keep it easily recyclable.
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