Tag: Christmas Tree Decorations

5 Easy Earth-Friendly Decorations to Make for Your Christmas Tree

Finding natural ways to decorate your Christmas tree is not only earth-friendly, but it’s also gentle on your bank account. Handmade decorations provide memories that can last for years, too. So, here are five natural ways to liven up your Christmas tree this year.

1. String a Popcorn Garland

String your own popcorn garland together with a needle, thread, cranberries and popcorn. This is an easy holiday craft to give your tree the traditional festive look. Best of all, when the holidays are over, bring it outside for the wildlife to enjoy.

2. Craft Orange and Clove Pomander Balls

Here is a holiday decoration that smells as beautiful as it looks. These clove-studded pomander balls are inexpensive, easy to create and fill your home with a festive air. Just push the cloves into the rind of an orange, lemon or lime. Attach ribbon to add some sparkle and to hang it on your Christmas tree.

3. Gather Cinnamon Sticks

 

Most people use cinnamon to add some spice to food and beverages, but cinnamon sticks also make great earth-friendly Christmas tree decorations. Just glue or tie them together and add some ribbon. Next, hang them on the tree.

4. Make Classic Pinecone Ornaments

You can paint pinecones, or brush glue on them and sprinkle with glitter. You can even transform them into tine pinecone trees. To hang, just wrap one end of a piece of wire around the upper tips on the cone. Pinch the ends together and add a hook. Or, you can use ribbon in the same way.

5. Bake and Decorate Salt Dough Ornaments

These eco-friendly salt dough Christmas decorations are only limited by your imagination. Use cookie cutters, rubber stamps and anything else you’d like to try. Cut out shapes of snowmen, Santa and reindeer. Salt dough will not crumble and has a long shelf life when you place it in an airtight container.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • One cup of salt
  • Two cups of flour
  • Water
  • Twine
  • Rubber stamps
  • Cookie cutters
  • Baking parchment paper
  • Drinking straw or toothpick

Follow these steps:

  • Mix the salt, flour and water in a mixer until it is smooth.
  • Roll the dough between two pieces of parchment paper until it’s approximately one-quarter-inch thick.
  • Stamp your designs and cut them out using the cutters.
  • Cut out the hole for the twine at the top with the drinking straw.
  • Bake it in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour.
  • Cool completely and paint or decorate.
  • Thread the twine through for your finished ornaments.

There are many other natural Christmas tree ornaments you can make, but these five are the easiest. So let your imagination run wild and have fun making these crafts you’ll cherish for years to come.