5 planet-friendly christmas decorations you can totally make yourself
’Tis the season for twinkly lights, questionable sweaters, and a shit ton lot of plastic glitter destined for a landfill near you. But not on our watch. This year, we’re going full-on festive without giving Earth the holiday blues. No toxic tinsel, no disposable nonsense but warming, wonderful DIY décor made from things you already have (or can forage without accidentally stealing from a squirrel).
So grab a mug of something cinnamony, put on that christmas playlist, and let’s get crafty because decking the halls shouldn’t trash the planet!
1. The pine-cone power garland
Rustic, wintery, and 100% biodegradable
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You'll need:
– Pine cones (the forest kind, not the pre-glitteredbagged-and-glued kind)
– Twine or scrap yarn
– Optional: leftover paint, old newspaper, or a bit of foraged greenery
How to make it:
- Give the pine cones a quick shake to evict any unexpected tenants.
- Tie a loop of twine around the top of each cone (double knot = drama-free).
- Space them out along a longer piece of twine.
- Add tiny scraps of greenery or dab them with leftover paint if you’re feeling extra.
Why it’s planet-friendly:
Zero plastic, zero chemicals and once the holidays are over, nature gladly takes these back.
2. Mandarin peel magic stars
Your kitchen scraps just became your new favorite ornament.
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You'll need:
– Peels from 2 - 3 mandarins
– Small cookie cutters or scissors
– A needle and thread
How to make it:
- Peel your mandarins in the biggest pieces you can manage (judge how neat you are accordingly).
- Use mini cookie cutters like stars, hearts or whatever sparks joy or ignites your Christmas spirit to punch out shapes.
- Thread a needle and gently string them together or hang individually.
- Let them air-dry for 24 - 48 hours until firm and wonderfully fragrant.
Why it’s planet-friendly:
You’re literally upcycling food scraps. Mother Earth high-fives you!
3. The upcycled T-shirt ribbon garland
From ‘should’ve donated that ages ago’ to ‘wow, that’s actually adorable’
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You'll need:
– Old T-shirts or shirts past their prime
– Scissors
– Long chord
How to make it:
- Cut fabric into long strips. Cut as neat, messy or fringed as you like. All are valid personalities.
- Tug gently on the strips so they curl into soft ribbons.
- Tie the strips onto a long cord or just knot them together end-to-end for a chunky, cozy garland.
- Drape over a mantel, around a banister, or hang it.
Why it’s planet-friendly:
Keeps textiles out of landfills and turns forgotten clothes into festive décor heroes.
4. Dried orange sun-catcher ornaments
The classic Pinterest darling (because sometimes the internet is right).
You'll need:
– 2 - 3 oranges
– Knife
– Oven (low heat) or radiator
– String or ornament hooks
How to make it:
- Slice oranges into 0.5 cm thick rounds.
- Pat dry with a towel to speed things up.
- Bake at low heat (about 80 - 90°C) for 2 to 3 hours, flipping occasionally, OR let them dry on a warm radiator for a day.
- Thread with string and hang near fairy lights to catch the glow.
Why it’s planet-friendly:
100% natural, compostable, and makes your home smell like a Scandinavian Christmas cabin.
5. Page-turner paper snowflakes (from rescued books or newspapers)
Give unloved books a second life
You'll need:
– Old books beyond repair (loose pages, water damage, the ones nobody’s bringing back) or newspapers
– Scissors
– A smidge of imagination
How to make it:
- Tear out pages that are already loose or damaged – no book crimes here! – ore cut old newspapers in rectangular shapes.
- Fold like you did in elementary school: half, half again, triangle and then: snip-snip-snip.
- Unfold and gasp at your own talent.
- Hang on threads or tape to windows for instant winter magic.
Why it’s planet-friendly:
Saves paper from the bin and uses something that already exists. Plus, your home suddenly feels like a quirky indie bookstore.
Florine started out as an art critic, but that turned out to not be quite her thing. So, she did what any sensible person would do - packed her life (and family) into a tiny campervan and roamed the planet for seven years. Now back in the Netherlands, she’s juggling life as a strategic advisor for a Dutch non-profit, while also writing for magazines and platforms. When she’s not typing away, you’ll probably find her treasure-hunting at thrift stores to jazz up her tiny house by the sea. Or wandering outdoors, because apparently sitting still isn’t really her vibe.
