Budget and Eco-Friendly DIY Holiday Decor

Bridge Homes extends warm season greetings to all our residents and their loved ones! While this season is intended for everyone to spend quality holiday time with friends and family, it can also create an abundance of waste and be costly on your wallet. On average, the U.S. produces 25% more waste during the holiday season than the rest of the year, increasing from 4 million tons to 5 million tons.

‍

While the holiday season may yield higher levels of waste and increase resource consumption, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t attempt to make our holiday season more sustainable. The most sustainable option for holiday decorations is to use and reuse what you already have. Still, if you’re in need of new holiday decor, sustainable DIYs will be the best route.

‍

If you’re looking for ways to cut back on holiday spending and lessen your environmental impact this season, then you’re in luck! Here are 7 DIY holiday decor tips for a budget and eco-friendly season:

‍

Eco-Friendly Holiday Decorations

The best materials to craft sustainable holiday decor are second-hand materials, high-quality, sustainable elements, or upcycled natural materials such as branches, cinnamon sticks, dried fruit, flowers, and pinecones. Take a look at a few different options for DIY holiday decor and choose the ones that best fit your needs this season!

‍

1. DIY Garland: Crafting a holiday garland is a great way to cut back on plastic and other manufactured materials! Try a citrus garland or a beaded garland instead of a traditional garland on a tree, mantle, or anywhere you’d usually place a holiday garland. To craft a citrus garland, slice a few oranges and bake in an oven at 250 degrees for 2 hours. Once baked, let the oranges cool and dry out for a few days. Then, string the slices together with a needle and thread. To create a beaded garland, string decorative beads—ideally wooden—together on a thread for a garland you can reuse year after year!

‍

2. DIY Ornaments: There are endless ways to craft holiday ornaments, from baked dough ornaments to crochet ornaments, paper snowflakes and origami stars, and decorative pine cones. Not only do DIY ornaments make for a cost-effective and sustainable way to decorate for the holidays, but they also make for a great activity to enjoy with friends and family! Pick your DIY ornament type based on time commitment and level of craft skill—those just starting may enjoy paper or baked dough ornaments, while crochet ornaments will take a significant amount of time to learn and perfect in time for the holidays. For paper ornaments, select upcycled scrap materials like old newspapers or magazines

3. Paper Lanterns: This DIY craft is another eco-friendly and budget-friendly way to decorate your home for the holidays. There are many types of paper lantern tutorials, but the easiest option is to use a small paper bag and cut shapes as you would for paper snowflakes. Add an electric tea light inside the bag and watch the paper lantern illuminate the room! Research paper lantern tutorials for more holiday design styles and crafts, including ones you can hang around the house!

‍

4. DIY Candles: No matter the holidays you celebrate, candles make a great addition to any holiday decoration and are simple to make! All you’ll need is wax, a candle wick, a heating element, a pot, and a container for your candle. Try soy wax, a wooden candle wick, and any heat-resistant container for an eco-friendly DIY candle. Add a few drops of essential oil to the melted wax and mix for fragrance! To make a candle stick for candelabras you’ll need a candle wax mold instead of a container to pour the wax into. Don’t forget to add a festive flair to your DIY candles by decorating the jar, or even the melted wax before it dries! Add some natural, fire-safe elements to the melted wax and wrap a ribbon on the candle jar and you’re ready for the holidays!

‍

5. Candle Jars: If making candles isn’t your thing but you still want an elevated holiday candle, try making a candle jar! Select a mason jar to hold your candle—ideally a tea light candle—and gather a few natural, decorative pieces. Line the inside of the jar with salt and pop the tea light in the middle. Then, tie ribbon or twine to the jar with your decorations, including dried orange slices, sprigs of holly, cinnamon sticks, or branches. Or, you can make a floating candle jar by filling the mason jar with three-quarters water and gently placing a tea light in the water to float. Add a few small, natural elements to the water and you’ve made an elegant, holiday centerpiece.

‍

6. Holiday Cards: Many people receive dozens of holiday cards annually that pile up in the home or eventually make it into the garbage bin. However, holiday cards have a lot of potential as repurposed holiday decor. Pick your favorite holiday cards—whether they are sentimental or just ones you find pretty—and put them in a frame! This way, you can display your holiday cards year after year. Plus, it’s super easy to switch out the cards or frames to change your holiday decor every now and then. Use this tip year-round by replacing cards seasonally for a refreshed home!

‍

7. DIY Existing Holiday Decorations: Repurposing your existing holiday decorations before adding any new additions is the ultimate low-impact and budget-friendly option. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still make a few upgrades! Paint your ornaments a different color to change the theme and attach natural elements to existing decorations like a tree, garland, or wreath to update your holiday decor. Don’t forget to repair any decorations that may have broken through the years. Additionally, even something as simple as placing your holiday decorations in different locations around the home can create a new, updated look.

‍

Balancing holiday traditions and lessening your environmental impact can be difficult to navigate. However, it’s important to remember that the goal is not perfection, but rather a continued effort toward better, more sustainable habits. With the right mindset and a few changes of habit, you’ll take a step in the right direction, resulting in a more positive impact on the environment—and your wallet!

‍

A Better Living Experience

Bridge Homes is dedicated to helping people find rental homes in major cities across the U.S. Whether you are seeking a new beginning or a fresh start, Bridge Homes can be your partner in finding your new rental home. Explore our listings and take the first step towards a well-maintained and fulfilling living experience.

‍

‍

Other Sources:

Green Your Holiday Scene

‍