nothing says "holiday spirit" quite like decorating your space with baubles, bells, and boughs. But if you're looking to add a touch of sustainability to your season, try your hand at DIY sustainable ornaments. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they're also a wonderful way to get creative and personalize your holidays. So, let's dive into some fabulous, sustainable ornament ideas that won't break the bank or the environment.
Upcycled Materials
Before you reach for new materials, consider what you already have. Upcycling is a fantastic way to reduce waste and turn trash into treasure. Here are a couple of upcycling ideas to get you started.
Light Bulb Ornaments
Thoroughly clean and remove the base from an old light bulb. Paint it, and once dry, use it as an ornament on your tree or hang it on a string with some other upcycled gems.
Cardboard Star Ornaments
Cut out star shapes from heavy cardboard, and decorate them with acrylic paints or even old gift wrappers. They're rustic, charming, and perfect for topping your tree.
Natural Materials
Sustainable living often involves embracing nature's gifts. Here are some nature-inspired ornament ideas.
Pinecone Ornaments
Gather some pinecones from your backyard or a local park. Clean them up, paint them, and adorn them with beads, ribbons, or jingle bells.
Dried Orange Slices
Thinly slice an orange and dry the slices in a low oven or a food dehydrator. Once dry, string them with twine or ribbon for a fragrant, citrusy ornament.
Recycled Paper Ornaments
Repurpose old paper products into beautiful ornaments. Here are two ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Paper Snowflakes
Fold and cut discrepancies from squares of origami paper for delicate, one-of-a-kind snowflakes. Glue them to cardstock to make them sturdy.
Toilet Paper Roll Angels
Decorate empty toilet paper rolls as sweet little angel ornaments. Cut the roll into smaller sections, paint them white, and embellish with cut-out wings, a daub of pink paint for cheeks, and a pipe cleaner halo.
Eco-friendly Crafting
Choosing eco-friendly materials for your ornaments helps reduce your environmental impact. Here are some sustainable crafting ideas.
Clay Ornaments
Use air-dry or oven-bake clay to create custom ornaments. Once dry, imprint them with holiday-themed stamps or paint them with non-toxic acrylic paints.
Felt Ornaments
Felt is an eco-friendly craft material that holds its shape and comes in a variety of colors. Cut out and glue or sew felt shapes for cute, durable ornaments.
Embrace the joy and satisfaction of creating your unique, sustainable ornaments. Not only are they a fun DIY project, but they also show a commitment to sustainability that you can be proud of. So, get crafting, and happy holidays!