Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year but what will make it even more wonderful? Making it sustainable of course! This year we’re focusing on making Christmas as eco-friendly as can be.
Whether that’s recycling our Christmas tree or using handmade wrapping paper, we're determined to make this Christmas the greenest one yet.
One of the biggest waste products from Christmas is decorations. Hundreds of decorations are thrown away after one month of use and many are made from harmful and non-recyclable plastics.
To help you combine an eco-friendly lifestyle with the joy of Christmas, we’ve collected twelve wonderful recycled Christmas decorations for you to enjoy. There’s six to make and six to buy so no matter your budget you can make this festive season eco-friendly.
Grab a mulled wine, it’s time to find you some new recycled Christmas decorations.
Six DIY recycled Christmas decorations
1. Turn buttons into a mini Christmas tree!
Buttons are always appearing in the home. Whether they’re spare ones for clothing or ones hidden down the back of the sofa, every household has them! We’re here to show you how to turn buttons into fun recycled Christmas decorations.
Our how to make Christmas tree decorations from buttons tutorial shows you how to make this adorable little tree! Make colourful, bigger or patterned versions and hang them around your home.
2. Transform old baubles with paint
This year is all about reducing, reusing and recycling. Instead of buying new Christmas baubles why not upcycle the ones you already have?
Lana Red is here to show you how to make these DIY Christmas baubles with nail varnish and a little gold leaf. It’s easier than it looks and is completely customisable. The perfect recycled Christmas decoration!
3. Use felt and thread scraps to make mini ornaments
Anyone with a love for arts and crafts tends to have a stash full of scraps, threads and beads. To help you clear this stash, and make your own recycled Christmas decorations, Christine Leech is here to teach you how to sew fabric Christmas ornaments.
These adorable little Christmas jumpers can be made using spare embroidery thread, felt and any decorative bits and bobs you have hanging around. Add sequins, beads and embroidery stitches to decorate and design your dream jumper in mini!
4. Make decorations from leftover clay
Pottery makers and those who enjoy dabbling with clay definitely need to make this recycled Christmas decoration. Learn how to make a Scandinavian Christmas star garland using those pesky bits of leftover clay.
The stars are tiny so you only need a tiny amount of clay to make them. Plus you only need some string or twine and a glue gun to turn the stars into a festive garland.
If you have a block of clay left over from your creations, follow our how to make air dry clay Christmas decorations tutorial. Who wouldn’t want a sparkly pretzel hanging from their tree?
5. Sew scrap fabric into beautiful decorations
Leftover fat quarters, rolls of fabric or even old clothing can be turned into recycled Christmas decorations – all you need is a little imagination! Gather up all your scraps and learn how to sew patchwork Christmas decorations.
These decorations can be made with any fabric you like. Use leftover Christmas fabric for a festive touch or turn a summer dress into floral ornaments.
6. Turn cards into a sustainable garland
Last year’s Christmas, birthday and anniversary cards make fantastic recycled decorations. Miesje Chafer’s tutorial shows you how to make this sustainable Christmas garland from old cards!
Decorate your tree, bannister and windows with your garland and keep it up for your New Year’s Eve celebrations. Once you’ve made your xmas garland, make sure you also check out our recycled Christmas card ideas.
Make your crafting eco-friendly this year
Get creative this Christmas with our collection of eco-friendly Christmas crafts. There’s everything from garlands to present ideas!
Six Christmas recycled decorations to buy
1. Recycled honeycomb tree decorations
Clem & Co have recycled paper into these sweet honeycomb Christmas trees! Sold as a pair, you’ll receive one big tree and one small tree and can choose from three festive colours.
These Christmas trees would make wonderful table, window or shelf decor. Look after them well and they can be used for years to come.
- Buy your Christmas tree decorations from Not on the High Street
2. Recycled glass baubles
These glass baubles from Lola & Alice are both sustainable and luxurious. Made from recycled glass, they’re handmade and will look beautiful hanging on your tree. There’s several different colours to choose from and can be handed down throughout the generations.
- Buy your recycled glass baubles from Not on the High Street
3. Recycled newspaper angel
Every tree needs an angel! Your Christmas tree just wouldn’t look right without one. Luckily Paper High has just the angel for you and it’s made entirely from recycled newspaper.
This sustainable angel has five star reviews and is the perfect tree topper. She’ll look right at home amongst your other recycled Christmas decorations.
- Buy your newspaper angel from Not on the High Street
4. Recycled drink can garland
Johny Todd is encouraging you to make your own recycled Christmas decorations with their kit! Everything you need to make this beautiful leaf garland is included inside the kit alongside detailed instructions.
Choose between oak and ivy leaves and sit down for an evening of garland making. This is one of those fab decorations you could keep up all year round.
- Buy your drink can garland from Not on the High Street
5. Recycled cotton star decorations
Made from lightweight cotton paper, these stars make beautiful traditional decor items. Attic Room makes its beautiful cotton paper by shredding and upcycling cotton fabric waste from the fashion industry.
Hang them in your window this festive period and show off your new recycled Christmas decorations!
- Buy your Christmas stars from Not on the High Street
6. Cork star decorations
LIGA has turned waste into these beautiful recycled Christmas decorations. Made up from plastic beach waste and recycled rubber/cork, these mini ornaments are saving the planet one decoration at a time.
They’ve created both stars and Christmas trees for you to buy, each with its own unique pattern. Decorate your home with them and feel safe in the knowledge that your decor is helping mother earth.
- Buy your cork star or tree from Not on the High Street
Reduce, reuse and recycle this Christmas
Christmas decorations made from recycled materials are a must this December. The festive period can be a time of excessive waste but through making and buying recycled Christmas decorations you’re helping to do your bit for the planet.
They’re just the start of your sustainable festive journey and can help you to decorate, gift and live a more eco-friendly life. They’ll allow you to enjoy Christmas guilt-free!
Gift sustainable presents with Gathered
Your Christmas decorations are made from recycled materials now it’s time for your presents to be as well! Discover our collection of the best eco-friendly gifts and give planet-friendly presents this Christmas.
