7 Eco-Friendly DIY Christmas and New Year Decorations Using Tree Parts

7 Eco-Friendly DIY Christmas

Christmas and New Year are just around the corner. Decorating a Christmas tree, adding festive touches to your home, and preparing meaningful gifts for loved ones are some of the most exciting traditions of the season.  

As the classic colors of red, green, and gold are the hallmark colors of Christmas and New Year that bring ambience of warmth and joy, this year why not try something different by creating eco-friendly decorations that connect you more with nature?  

Tree twigs, leaves, fruits, or even planted trees can be transformed into stunning Christmas and New Year decor. Best of all, you can make them yourself at home! Here, we present 7 eco-friendly DIY Christmas and New Year decoration ideas using tree parts and planted trees. Let’s explore these simple projects and make your holidays even more special! 

Pine cones decoration 

When walking through a pine forest or along streets lined with pine trees, don’t forget to look around and collect fallen pine cones. Add a touch of gold or white glitter to the tips of the cones for a shimmering effect. These glittery pine cones can be used as hanging decorations for your Christmas tree, decorating candle holders, or Christmas wreath. 

Pine Cones

Source: Pinterest

Dried oranges hanging decoration 

Slices of dried oranges can be a unique, affordable, eco-friendly, and fragrant way to decorate your home. What you need to do is just to slice oranges you do not want to eat into thin slices, then dry them. You can heat them with an oven or if you live in a tropical country, you can dry them in the sunlight. You can insert a thread to a single or few slices of oranges to make a hanging decoration for your Christmas tree. You can also mix them with star anise, cinnamon bar, or dried cherry. 

7 Eco-Friendly DIY Christmas

Source: Pinterest

Leaves and grasses Christmas wreath 

Fallen leaves and grass often seem invaluable. However, they can be transformed into a beautiful and eco-friendly Christmas wreath. Arrange grasses and various types of leaves in different shapes onto a circle rattan, cardboard, or braided tree root as a base. You can use glue or thread to arrange them. Enhance the design by adding pine cones, dried flowers or fruits, and decorative ribbons. Hang your stunning wreath on your door or wall to bring eco-friendly and fresh ambience to your home. 

DIY Christmas

Source: Pinterest

Dried leaves and flowers greetings card 

Real leaves and flowers can also be transformed into stunning decorations for greeting cards. You can use them fresh or dried, depending on your preference. Start with folded recycled paper and glue uniquely shaped leaves and a flower piece to the front. Add a ribbon, dried roots, thread, or a splash of paint to enhance its aesthetic appeal. These handmade greeting cards can be displayed as home decorations or sent alongside gifts to your loved ones. 

7 Eco-Friendly DIY Christmas

Source: Pinterest

Twigs Christmas tree 

Fallen twigs can be transformed into a creative and eco-friendly alternative to a Christmas tree. You can design them as either a hanging tree or a stacked tree.  

For a hanging twig tree, gather five to ten twigs of varying lengths. Arrange them in order from shortest to longest, then tie the ends of each twig to one another using rope or string, leaving spaces between them. Hang the structure on a wall and decorate it with fairy lights and small hanging ornaments. 

Christmas Trees

Source: Pinterest

For a stacked twig tree, you’ll need an upright stick as the base. Drill a hole through the center of each twig, then slide them onto the base stick, starting with the longest twig at the bottom and ending with the shortest at the top. Finish the look with string lights and festive decorations.

Source: Pinterest

Pot mini Christmas tree  

A mini live tree is an excellent choice for an eco-friendly Christmas decoration. You can select a young pine or another lush potted tree. Simply decorate it with small hanging ornaments and place it in a corner of the room.  

Source: Pinterest

Planted poinsettia Christmas decoration 

Did you know that the vibrant red flowers associated with Christmas decorations are poinsettia flowers? These shrub plants, native to Mexico and Central America, have spread worldwide and well-known as a Christmas decoration due to their bold red color and the star-shaped crown. Instead of using artificial flowers, consider decorating your home with live potted poinsettias to create a festive ambiance in red and green.

Source: Pinterest

These DIY decorations can also be thoughtful and eco-friendly gifts for your loved ones this Christmas and New Year season! For an even more meaningful gesture, consider gifting Trees4Trees planted trees alongside your handmade creations. 

Our planted trees provide immense benefits to the environment and communities. They have been planted in degraded areas and help local farmers enhance their livelihoods. To gift trees, simply visit our donation page, make a contribution, and provide the recipient’s email address along with a personalized message. We will email a tree planting e-certificate featuring a unique code that allows the recipient to view their trees online. You’ll also be notified once the certificate has been sent to your loved one. 

Click this LINK to learn how to gift trees with us! 

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani

10 Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Christmas and New Year

10 Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Christmas and New Year
10 Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Christmas and New Year
Photo: Pexels

Approaching 2023’s end, Christmas and the New Year are on the horizon. Therefore, let’s cherish these moments with loved ones. Rather than opting for gifts that may contribute to wastefulness, let’s embark on a journey of thoughtfulness. Consider presenting eco-friendly gifts that carry meaningful value. It obviously will leave a positive impact on our surroundings.  

Here, we showcase a curated selection of the best eco-friendly gift ideas. It is perfect to express your love and appreciation during the joyous seasons of Christmas and New Year. 

Composting Kit 

Composting is nature’s way of recycling. Currently, it has become a recent trend as people become more aware of zero waste action. Moreover, composting is one of the most powerful actions to reduce trash. It is ultimately contribute to addressing climate change and enhancing soil health. 

Presenting a composting kit to your closest person who is embracing an eco-friendly lifestyle can be a great idea. It will support them in managing organic or kitchen waste beneficially.  

Register to an Eco Art Workshop  

Explore a variety of eco-friendly art options that enable individuals to create beautiful pieces sustainably. From crafting with naturally dyed fabric to eco-painting using elements like leaves and flowers. You can also craft using recycled materials such as old newspapers, leftover fabrics, plastic bottles, or cardboard, there’s a wealth of possibilities. Enroll your loved ones in this workshop as a gift. This will give them a unique experience that not only enhances their environmental awareness but may also unveil new business potential. 

Book a Nature Trip  

A traveling in nature serves as an excellent means to rejuvenate both our body and soul, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Presently, various traveling packages offer an immersive environmental experience. They sometimes incorporate with nature activities such as cycling around the village, gardening, composting, and tree planting. Booking a nature trip that includes these eco-friendly activities can be the perfect gift for your loved ones. This trip offers a unique and enriching nature experience. 

10 Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Christmas and New Year
Photo: V. Arnila Wulandani

Reusable Tote Bag  

Every shopping trip involves bags. However, plastic bags which the most common choice are harmful. It takes centuries to degrade. Gifting a reusable tote bag is an excellent choice for your favorite shopper! It is offering durability and versatility for groceries, trips, and everyday items. Unlike single-use options, reusable tote bags made from materials like canvas and cotton contribute significantly to reducing plastic waste. Whether you choose to create a customized design yourself or purchase one, this considerate gift is ideal for any enthusiastic shopper! 

Handmade Dried Flower and Fruit Frame 

Did you know that dried fruit slices like oranges, dried flowers, and leaves, can create a unique wall ornament? Gather some flowers and leaves from your house yard. Additionally, grab some fruit slices, like oranges or cranberries from your kitchen, then dry them. After that, arrange them in a glass frame to create home decoration that can be hung on the wall. Finally, gift it to your loved ones as a special handmade gift. Add a customized heartfelt message for a more memorable touch. 

flower is one of gift idea for christmas
Photo: Pexels

Sustainable Music Concert Ticket  

Experience the thrill of a music concert while minimizing environmental impact by choosing a sustainable option. Many singers and music festivals embrace eco-friendly concepts these days. They  incorporate their concert with innovations like energy-efficient equipment, renewable energy use, waste reduction, and carbon footprint reduction through connections to public transportation. Gifting a ticket to a sustainable music concert or festival is a wonderful way to share the joy of music while caring for the environment. 

Digital Photo Slide Show 

Crafting a digital photo slideshow serves as an affordable and cherished gift for our special someone. Compile photos capturing the most beautiful moments shared with them into a digital video. This not only provides a meaningful and memorable gift, but it also generates zero waste. 

Subscription to Digital Entertainment 

In this digital era, giving a gift that generates zero waste is possible. Additionally, it will remain meaningful. You can subscribe to digital entertainment services for your loved ones, such as music or movie apps. Additionally, consider subscriptions to e-newspapers or magazines, purchasing e-books, or enrolling in online workshops, such as cooking or DIY courses.  

A Live Tree  

Gifting a live tree is a fantastic choice for eco-conscious individuals. Whether planted in the yard or kept in a pot indoors, it’s meaningful! It is continuously growing gift with positive environmental impacts. Trees absorb CO2, act as a carbon sink against climate change, provide shade, cool surroundings, and enhance the aesthetics around the house. 

tree planting
Photo: Pexels

Gift a Donated Tree with Your Loved Ones’ Name 

Gifting a donated tree with a personalized touch is a heartfelt and lasting expression of appreciation. Meanwhile, it also actively enhance our surroundings. It is a unique and impactful gift that allows you to plant a tree with your special one’s name.

Simply visit Trees4Trees donation page and include a custom message. Soon after, we’ll send the gift of donated tree and your heartfelt words to your loved ones on your behalf. Click here to give the gift of trees.

10 Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Christmas and New Year
Photo: Trees4Trees/Kemas Duga Muis

Read also: 7 Eco Friendly Ways to Celebrate Christmas and New Year