How to Have a Zero-Waste Holiday: 6 Creative Tips

Create beautiful holiday decorations with eco-friendly objects sourced from nature.

This year, make the holidays more sustainable than ever with a few creative zero-waste decoration ideas! Using upcycled materials and found objects, you can cut down on waste without sacrificing an ounce of festivity. Here’s how:

1. Upcycled Fabric Wreath for the Front Door

Give old clothes, blankets, or fabric scraps a new life by making an upcycled fabric wreath! Just cut your fabrics into strips and tie them in knots to a wire wreath form. You can use different fabrics to create unique textures and patterns that will catch every guest’s attention!

2. Use Natural and Organic Materials

This season, bring the natural beauty of the outdoors into your home! Natural and organic materials are biodegradable and often so easy to find, making them the perfect choice for eco-friendly decorators.

• Natural Garland: Dry orange slices or collect pine cones during your next nature walk. String them together with wire or twine to make a rustic holiday garland!
• Evergreen Sprigs: Use fragrant evergreen sprigs to decorate your mantelpiece or dinner table. Pine, fir, and cedar smell amazing and add the perfect touch of holiday spirit.
• Dried Fruit Ornaments: Dried orange, lemon, or apple slices look great and smell nice on your Christmas tree!

3. Mason Jar Candle Holders with Natural Elements

Transform plain mason jars into beautiful candle holders with just a few natural items. This easy and affordable DIY project creates warm and welcoming light while using less energy than electric lights! Simply put a large votive candle inside a mason jar. Surround it with festive decorations like cranberries, evergreen sprigs, cinnamon sticks, or pinecones.

4. Handcrafted Recycled Paper Ornaments

Unleash your creativity and make unique, eco-friendly ornaments with recycled paper. You can use old greeting cards, magazines, or brown paper bags. Cut out fun shapes like stars, snowflakes, or Christmas trees, then decorate these shapes with natural dyes, markers, or even bits of wrapping paper. Need inspiration? Look up easy online tutorials for homemade paper ornaments!

5. Repurpose Glass Bottle Centerpieces

Transform empty glass bottles into fun centerpieces for holiday dinners. If you don’t have any on hand, you can check your local thrift store for a variety of shapes and sizes. Once you take them home, wash them well and remove any labels. Then, add some decor—like seasonal foliage or flowers—to make them festive!

6. Organize a Zero-Waste Exchange Event

A zero-waste exchange is a fun way to refresh your holiday decorations and connect with your community without spending any money!

Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to bring any pre-loved decorations they no longer need to trade with other guests. Encourage everyone to bring reusable bags or containers to take their new treasures home too!