Just as fashion trends frequently change throughout the year, your home’s décor and style can as well. Not only could it be costly to your wallet and carbon footprint to buy items only to decorate for a short time, but you also may be overlooking some of the most beautiful and inexpensive decorations of all. Mother Nature has given us an assortment of colorful leaves, acorns, pumpkins and more to create an inviting home environment perfect for cozying up with those we love.
Here are some easy, family-friendly crafts made mostly from upcycled materials and things found in your backyard:
- Homemade Potpourri: Try these 12 all-natural potpourri recipes prepared with a handful of ingredients to fill your home with the scents of Thanksgiving dinner and more. Some of the recipes can be doubled as teas, and all can be made from spices and fruits you probably already have on hand.
- Recycled Paper Garland: Adorn your fireplace mantel, doorways and other spaces with a garland made of paper leaves and string for a creative touch.Little ones will love seeing their decorations on display throughout the season.
- Table Décor Made of Cereal Boxes: Industrial-inspired decorative spheres are a great accompaniment to any centerpiece as they are upcycled from used cereal boxes, fasteners and spray paint. Taryn from Design, Dining and Diapers blog chose a metallic color to complete her look, but any color will work for this project. Your friends will never know they cost you less than three bucks to make!
- Acorn Wreath: Don’t toss last year’s wreath; instead, try this step-by-step tutorial from our sister blog, Feel Good Style, to give it a makeover using organic ribbon and recycled paper. Your visitors will feel the holiday cheer before they ring the doorbell.
- Leafy Artwork: You can extend the beauty of Fall leaves by coating them with wax paper; they are then perfect for embellishing wreaths and centerpieces. Children also can get in on the fun as they create artwork of “leaf people” using various shapes and sizes of foliage.
- Picture Frames Trimmed in Acorns and Sticks: Give unsightly picture frames an earthy look by attaching acorns to the boarder or collect sticks of various sizes from your yard to create a new one!
- Leaf Bowl: Try forming an one-of-a-kind bowl with leaves using liquid adhesive and sealer. Once it all dries the dish can be used to hold tasty treats, keys and other trinkets or given as a gift.
- Reuse Pumpkins: Just a few days after Halloween, you’re probably wondering what to do with your Jack-O-Lanterns. Here are ten uses for pumpkins that include making planters, feeding wildlife and baking healthy snacks.
- Wine Cork Place Cards: Reserve a seat for your guests at the dinner table this holiday season with place cards made from scraps of paper, toothpicks and a wine cork. Molly of Almost Makes Perfect’s blog shares a simple tutorial to get you started on your way to decorating for your family’s festivities.
- Punched Paper Wreath: I know I’ve already shared an idea for revamping an old wreath, but Laura’s punched paper wreath over on Make Life Lovely blog was too cute to resist. With only scraps of paper, a pencil, hot glue and an hour, you’ll have a wreath that will last for many years to come.
What are some of your favorite holiday crafts? Leave me note in the comment section if you tried any of the listed ideas and how they turned out for you. I’d love to hear from you!