The holiday season is a time for coziness, celebration, and, of course, decking the halls. But with store-bought decorations often made of plastic and other unsustainable materials, Christmas decor can come at a high environmental cost. The good news? Crafting your own decorations using natural, sustainable materials is easier—and more beautiful—than you might think.
Here are some DIY ideas that will bring a festive sparkle to your home while staying eco-friendly and sustainable.
Scented Citrus Garlands for a Fresh, Festive Touch
Nothing says Christmas quite like the cozy aroma of citrus and spice. Drying citrus fruits like oranges and lemons is an easy and elegant way to create sustainable garlands or ornaments. Start by slicing your chosen fruits into 1/4-inch thick rounds and bake them at a low temperature (around 200°F) until they’re fully dried.
Thread your dried slices onto natural twine and add cinnamon sticks, star anise, or even sprigs of rosemary for a pop of festive greenery. Hang your garland along the mantel, around windows, or on the tree for a beautiful, natural decoration that smells amazing.
For a more sophisticated touch, add pinecones or even mini pine sprigs between the citrus slices. Both are easy to forage if you have pine trees nearby or can be found at most craft stores. They’re compostable too, so when the holidays end, you can simply return them to the earth. For other ways to keep things green and festive, check out Sustainable Holiday Gift Wrapping Ideas.
Pinecone Ornaments: Rustic and Reusable
Pinecones make wonderful, rustic ornaments, and they’re completely natural. If you’re collecting them outdoors, be sure to bake them on a lined baking sheet at 200°F for 20–30 minutes to remove any insects. Once cooled, you can add eco-friendly glitter or paint them with natural, non-toxic paint for a splash of color.
Tie a loop of twine or ribbon around the top, and voila! You’ve got a charming, reusable ornament. If you’re looking for a way to add extra sparkle, you can also coat the tips with biodegradable glitter like Biodegradable Eco-Friendly Glitter(available on Amazon) for a wintery effect.
DIY Cinnamon Stick Candle Holders
Few scents are as cozy as cinnamon, making these candle holders a perfect addition to your holiday decor. Take a small, unscented candle (preferably soy-based for a more eco-friendly burn) and wrap cinnamon sticks around the sides. Use twine or jute to secure them in place, and you’ll have a rustic candle holder that adds warmth and fragrance to your home.
Not only are these candles beautiful, but they’re also compostable after the season ends. Consider arranging them in clusters as a centerpiece or on your mantel for a rustic, naturally festive look. For more tips on crafting a cozy, green home, see our post on Creating a Minimalist, Eco-Friendly Living Space.
Twig Stars: Simple Yet Stunning
If you’re looking for a minimalist decoration that’s both easy and elegant, twig stars are perfect. Start by gathering twigs from outside—look for ones of similar size and thickness. Arrange five twigs in a star shape and secure the ends with twine or hot glue if needed. These stars look stunning when hung on the tree or strung together in a garland.
Add a bit of greenery like small pine sprigs or holly leaves for a festive touch. These stars make lovely ornaments that are entirely compostable when you’re ready to take down your decorations.
Popcorn and Cranberry Garlands
A classic eco-friendly Christmas decoration, popcorn and cranberry garlands are not only pretty but also biodegradable and edible for backyard birds once the holiday season ends. Simply pop plain popcorn (no butter or salt) and thread the pieces onto a needle along with fresh cranberries. This timeless decoration gives a lovely pop of red and white to your tree or mantel.
Once the season is over, hang the garland outside as a winter treat for local birds. It’s a sustainable, dual-purpose decoration that brings beauty and a little bit of holiday cheer to your feathered friends.
Dried Herb Wreaths: Fragrant and Fresh
Herbs aren’t just for the kitchen—they also make stunning, natural wreaths. Gather fresh sprigs of rosemary, sage, thyme, and eucalyptus (or whatever herbs you love) and arrange them into a wreath shape. You can secure them with florist wire or use a natural wreath frame like this Eco-Friendly Wreath Frame (available on Amazon) to hold them together.
Not only will your home smell wonderful, but you’ll also have a beautiful, rustic wreath that can be used as-is or decorated with a ribbon or pinecones. The best part? Many of these herbs dry beautifully and can be repurposed for cooking, crafts, or compost.
Burlap and Pine Needle Table Runner
For a unique and rustic touch, make a table runner using natural burlap and pine needles. Lay the burlap along the center of your table and scatter fresh pine needles over it. You can also add pinecones, small ornaments, or even sprigs of holly for a festive touch.
Burlap is reusable and biodegradable, and you can simply shake off the pine needles and compost them when you’re done. This decoration is easy to set up and adds a fresh, natural look to your holiday table.
Beeswax-Dipped Pinecone Fire Starters
If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, beeswax-dipped pinecone fire starters are both beautiful and practical. Collect pinecones, melt some organic beeswax (find it on Amazon), and dip each pinecone into the wax until it’s lightly coated. Allow them to dry on wax paper.
These fire starters make for rustic decor around the house, and when you’re ready to light a cozy fire, they work beautifully. Add a few drops of essential oils like cinnamon or pine to the beeswax before dipping for an extra touch of holiday scent.
Eucalyptus and Dried Orange Garland
For a decoration that’s both simple and stunning, try making a eucalyptus and dried orange garland. Eucalyptus not only smells amazing, but it also dries beautifully and keeps its shape throughout the season. Combine it with dried orange slices (made the same way as described above), and string them together with natural twine.
This garland looks stunning draped along the mantel, around doorways, or even on the Christmas tree. And the best part? It’s fully compostable when the holidays are over.
Conclusion: Decorating with Intention and Nature
Creating your own holiday decorations using natural materials is a wonderful way to honor the season while respecting the planet. These DIY ideas bring a warm, rustic charm to your home and can be composted or repurposed at the end of the season, making them as sustainable as they are beautiful. By choosing decorations that align with your values, you’re celebrating in a way that’s both meaningful and mindful.
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