Zero Waste Christmas Decorations

Ready to start making some amazing decorations? I thought so! I’ve rounded up some of the best zero waste Christmas decorations you’d be proud to display.

First, I’ve sorted it out into two different sections: Tree decor and house decorations. Feel free to jump to which ever section applies to you!

Tree decor:

• Dried fruit: This is always so nice and it smells great. A lot of people love drying out citrus fruits, but you can also try drying out apples. Use twine to hang them up as ornaments on your tree (also makes cute gift tags).
  
  
• Popcorn / cranberry garland: This classic DIY is not to be scoffed at. A popcorn or cranberry garland is so nice: You can even mix the two and create a unique pattern all your own! All you have to do is lay out the popcorn and cranberries in the pattern you’d like to string them in, then push the needle through the first piece of popcorn and wrap it around and tie a loose but secure knot. Then, you can continue to thread through your pieces in the pattern you’ve chosen. At the end of the garland, thread it through again and then tie the string back around and into a double knot as you did the first. It’ll last the whole season, but it’s completely compostable when Christmas is over. Better yet, if you have a backyard, you can wrap it around one of the trees and let the birds and squirrels have it! That way it won’t go to waste.
  
  
• Use pine cones or twigs for ornaments: When you go outside this time of year, there’s a lot of pine cones on the ground. Why not collect some and hang them on your tree using twine? You can also make some beautiful, rustic twig ornaments if you’re feeling crafty.
  
  
• Crocheted ornaments: These are so cute and adorable. At a vintage store, a woman who was so impressed I was buying lace to use as gift wrap gave me a free vintage ornament last year. I gifted it to my mom because it reminded her of her grandmother, who loved to sew and craft things like that. Here’s how to make crocheted star patterns.
  
  
• Cinnamon applesauce ornaments: Such a cute idea and it also sounds super simple too. You only need a few ingredients to make these cinnamon applesauce ornaments (can you guess what they are?). Great to make with kids!
  
  
• Reuse old ornaments: You can never go wrong with just reusing what you have. It certainly keeps items out of the landfill! Plus, if you treat old ornaments with care, they can last a very long time. My mom has glass ornaments that were passed down to her from her grandmother. We hang them up every year on the tree and it’s one of my favorite activities because they’re beautiful. This includes Christmas lights: Use what you already have on hand (or, buy some minimal plastic LED lights).
  
  
• Tree skirts: We’ve been using the same tree skirt for years. I suggest you do the same, or perhaps ask a family member if they have one you could use before buying new. You could always just skip it, or make your own tree skirt, if you’re feeling creative. Just be sure to stick with something that won’t produce too much waste to make (perhaps utilizing old fabrics you have on hand?).

House decor:

• Wreaths made from real pine: Nothing beats a nice, beautiful Christmas wreath. If you have an artificial one you purchased a year or so ago, continue to use that one. If not, I totally recommend making your own wreath from real pine. Not only will it smell nice, but it’d be a fun little project! You can hang it on your door proudly. If you have a real tree in your home, use some of its fallen branches to make the wreath, or forage for some pine around your neighborhood. Here’s how to make a fresh greenery wreath you’ll be proud of. You can also make small, cute little rosemary wreaths that make the perfect little accent pieces for gift tags or just found around the house. They make great place cards too, just in time for Christmas dinner.
  
  
• Tree trimmings: If you have any clippings from your real tree – don’t throw them away! You can put them in jars and spread them around the home to decorate. They also will produce a nice scent. You can use them to create a nice centerpiece: Just place a pillar candle (in a protective glass jar) in the center of some tree trimmings. You can also add some small pine cone or acorns to make it more decorative and festive.
  
  
• Candles: Candles always make a home feel warm and fuzzy. You can’t go wrong setting up some beeswax candles or soy candles around the home this time of year. Just remember to avoid candles with artificial fragrance in them (so bad for your health).
  
  
• Christmas stockings: I’ve had the same Christmas stocking (with Mickey Mouse on the front) since I was a little girl. I highly advise you keep using the one you already have. However, if you’d like to start fresh, perhaps make your own DIY Christmas stockings this year? Just make sure you opt for natural fibers if possible. Also, skip the glitter (it’s bad for the environment).
  
  
• Plants: A small potted tree would make an adorable decoration! Or maybe some poinsettias? Adding a little greenery to your abode would never hurt. Plus, if you have a yard, you can transfer the potted plant over after the season is over.
  
  
• Vintage: Hit up your local vintage store – you might be surprised at what you find! Maybe you’ll find a beautiful candle holder that would bring so much life to your centerpiece or a lovely Christmas bowl you can put candy or baked treats in. There are tons of beautiful zero waste Christmas decorations you can find there – maybe even some gift ideas too. So why not give it a go?
  
  
• Old decorations: When in doubt, reuse old decorations you already have. We have a slew of decorations we reuse year after year in storage. My mom loves her Christmas statues (think Santa, angels and snowmen) and snow globes. Use what you got!