Eco-Friendly Christmas Decorations

EcoBites.com
has an enormous list of do-it-yourself Christmas decorations on their
website. The list is much to long to show all of it to you here, so I
shall provide you with a sample view of what is on their list and if
any of you are still interested in do-it-yourself Christmas
decorations simply visit their website for the whole list of decorations.

Pine Cone Decoration

Gather pine cones (they don’t have to
be large). Dip in melted candle wax – preferably use soy based wax,
beeswax or natural-based candles, or use your childrens old beeswax
crayons – melt in oven. Cones can also be painted by hand by using a
gold burnish or splatter them with white paint to create a frosted
appearance. When the cones are dry, tie a beautiful ribbon around the
top (ones that still have a bit of stem attached at the top work
best), and you have a very unique decoratioon. Keep some without
ribbon for table decorations. Dip/paint gumnuts in melted wax too.

ChristmasTree

If you require a real tree, purchase from a small-scale
sustainable grower and choose a tree with roots so it can be
replanted. If replanting isn’t a option, most local councils run
Christmas tree recycling schemes.

Wrap the potted roots with hessian and then start decorating with
natural elements to create an eco sustainable Christmas decoration
that is not only fun, but inexpensive to create.

Another alternative is to use a native tree or found dead twigs
that you can decorate – a few branches gold burnished or splatted
with white paint, decorated with bows, painted eggs, star cut-outs,
wax dipped pine cones, home-made baubles, ginger bread decorations,
etc.

Use your imagination and create a Christmas tree that is unique
(Refer photo).

Hang colourful paper chains, popcorn and cranberry strings on your
tree for a traditional touch, or lines of beads and buttons instead
of tinsel.

Bows
Make bows out of old material, ribbon,
anything. Do you have an old formal dress or shiny shirt that would
make lovely bows? (Even a petticoat, or old curtains?) Otherwise
check the remnant tables at fabric shops, including those that make
formal outfits or wedding dresses – sometimes there are some
intricate or spectacular pieces of fabric left over when a roll of
material is sold also check op-shops.

Keep a sturdy shoe box for ribbons and bows – it is such a shame
to throw such pretty garnishes away, especially when you can use them
for any celebrations.

There are many ways to enhance the celebratory vibe around your
home – with a little imagination. Tie lashings of ribbon to the backs
of dining chairs, stair rails, candles or plants.Imagine a big shiny
bow on the back of each chair – simply stunning!

Take the pictures down from your walls, wrap them up like a gift
and put them back.It then looks like you have presents dancing
merrily across the interior of your home.Wrap the front door with
wide ribbon, to look like a gift.

Christmas Stockings
Make stockings out of
spare material or your old and wearing out clothes. An old top can
have a new life as a Christmas stocking, as can old cushion covers -
or any old scraps of material. (Material can be painted if it’s the
wrong colour).

Sew the stockings with bright, thick cotton or wool (e.g. from an
old jumper). To decorate the stocking cut out a shape or design from
material and sew or staple it to the stocking.

Add buttons, scraps of material or ribbon, etc, to make a design.
(e.g. cut a Christmas tree shape from green material and put sequins
or coloured small buttons on it for baubles; or some green material
and two red buttons can become holly. Or a square of material with
ribbons and a bow is a gift. Hint: plain white buttons can be
coloured with indelible markers.)

Stocking ideas: Red and green stockings;
patchwork stockings made from scraps of material (including made from
scraps of rich material such as velvet or silk, etc); lace painted
gold and put on a white or any other coloured stocking; plain white
stockings sewn around the edges with thick red wool from an old
jumper, etc, and with a simple decoration added to the front (even a
picture from a card).Hessian looks great decorated. Get ideas from
the shops – and you can always paint the material to suit.

Material, including scraps, can become Christmas stockings or
Christmas bon bons / crackers.

jennl | My Bio & Articles

Jennifer is a freelance writer, and has written for various health and environmental blogs, which includes running her own green living blog. Currently she is studying to become a C++ Programmer.