5 planet-friendly christmas decorations you can totally make yourself

Rustic, wintery, and 100% biodegradable

You'll need:

– Pine cones (the forest kind, not the pre-glittered bagged-and-glued kind)

– Twine or scrap yarn

– Optional: leftover paint, old newspaper, or a bit of foraged greenery

How to make it:

1. Give the pine cones a quick shake to evict any unexpected tenants.
2. Tie a loop of twine around the top of each cone (double knot = drama-free).
3. Space them out along a longer piece of twine.
4. 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.

Your kitchen scraps just became your new favorite ornament.

You'll need:

– Peels from 2-3 mandarins

– Small cookie cutters or scissors

– A needle and thread

How to make it:

1. Peel your mandarins in the biggest pieces you can manage.
2. Use mini cookie cutters like stars or hearts to punch out shapes.
3. Thread a needle and gently string them together or hang individually.
4. 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!

From ‘should’ve donated that ages ago’ to ‘wow, that’s actually adorable’

You'll need:

– Old T-shirts or shirts past their prime

– Scissors

– Long chord

How to make it:

1. Cut fabric into long strips.
2. Tug gently on the strips so they curl into soft ribbons.
3. Tie the strips onto a long cord or just knot them together end-to-end for a chunky, cozy garland.
4. 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.

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:

1. Slice oranges into 0.5 cm thick rounds.
2. Pat dry with a towel to speed things up.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Give unloved books a second life

You'll need:

– Old books beyond repair or newspapers

– Scissors

– A smidge of imagination

How to make it:

1. Tear out pages that are already loose or damaged, or cut old newspapers in rectangular shapes.
2. Fold like you did in elementary school: half, half again, triangle and then: snip-snip-snip.
3. Unfold and gasp at your own talent.
4. 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.