How to Make Recycled Christmas Decorations

Many people are looking to cut costs now more than ever, as well as find ways to reduce landfill waste. According to a Unity Marketing report, Americans spend over fifteen billion dollars each year on new holiday decorations, which are generally packaged in materials that end up in the trash. Find ways to use items you would normally toss out to fill your home with Christmas spirit.

Things You'll Need

• Burned out light bulbs
• Glue
• Paper
• Paint
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Paperback book or phonebook
• Spray paint
• Food boxes
• Cans
• Hammer
• Nails

Instructions

1. Fashion ornaments using burnt out light bulbs. Decoupage or glue on colorful scraps of paper, or paint on a pretty holiday design. Tie a bow using wide, color-coordinated ribbon around the metal base and hang on your tree or place several inside of a pretty bowl or vase.

2. Create a mini Christmas tree using an old phonebook or trash-bound paperback. Fold the top third of each page in a dog-ear manner, then fold downward once more. Continue folding all of the pages (you can shorten the procedure by folding several together at one time). Glue the covers together and spray paint if desired.

3. Slice up pieces of cereal, macaroni and cheese, and other empty food boxes into large holiday shapes such as candy canes and angels. Paint the pieces accordingly and hang from ribbon on your tree.

4. Use more pieces of cardboard from your kitchen to create a faux-gingerbread house. Glue the pieces together and attach stale candy, or items such as buttons and pictures of candy cut from old magazines.

5. Remove the labels from vegetable cans or even coffee tins. Fill with water and freeze. While frozen, use a hammer and nail to punch a decorative design around the sides of the can. Allow to thaw slightly and pour out the remaining ice. Place votive candles inside of the cans for a lovely holiday glow.

Tips & Warnings

• The next time you are about to throw something away, take a good, imaginative look at it. Does it remind you of anything? Consider ways you might be able to incorporate that item into your Christmas decorations.

Resources

• Tips on Making Recycled Crafts