Skip to Content

51 Recycled Christmas Decorations: Eco-Friendly and Fun DIY

Create stunning recycled Christmas decorations from everyday materials like tin cans, scrap fabric, and old wine corks for a budget-friendly holiday.

Every year, like clockwork, I find myself rummaging through my recycling bin to whip up some Christmas crafts. Why buy expensive decorations when my recycling pile is a craft supply store waiting to happen? With a bit of imagination (and a trusty hot glue gun), you can turn what most people throw away into holiday treasures that look just as good—if not better—than anything you’d find in a store. Who needs another plastic snowman when you can make your own out of old wine corks, tin cans, and toilet paper rolls?

collage of recycled christmas ornaments and decorations with text overlay

Christmas Recycling Resources

Here’s a peek at some of the unsung heroes of my recycled Christmas crafting:

  • Old wine corks: Classy and rustic ornaments with just the right touch of DIY charm.
  • Scrap fabric: From garlands to gift wrap, fabric scraps are the Swiss army knife of Christmas crafting.
  • Toilet paper rolls: These humble cardboard tubes can become beautiful Christmas decorations.
  • Plastic bottles: With a bit of snip and a dash of paint, these can become festive baubles or glimmering snowflakes.
  • Tin cans: Luminaries, shadow boxes, or hanging decorations—who knew dinner leftovers could be so decorative?
  • Old Cards: Repurpose old Christmas cards into gift tags or new ornaments that add a nostalgic touch to your tree.
  • Scrap denim: Denim seams and patches give a cosy, upcycled vibe that’ll have your tree looking ready for the runway.
  • Jars & bottles: Add fairy lights to create a magical Christmas lantern, or turn the lids into ornaments.
  • Cardboard Packaging: With a bit of clever cutting, you can turn them into stars, mini villages, or even Christmas trees!

The best part? Not only do you save a few pennies and cut down on waste, but no one will believe your gorgeous Christmas decorations came from the recycling bin. They’ll be too busy asking where you bought them!

Recycled Christmas Decorations: Easy Upcycled Holiday Crafts

Get inspired to make recycled Christmas decorations using upcycled materials like old denim, plastic bottles, and toilet paper rolls for festive charm.

Conclusion

So, every year, instead of braving the crowds and spending a fortune on decorations, I dive into my recycling bin and let the magic happen. Who says eco-friendly and budget-conscious can’t be glamorous? These DIY Christmas decoration ideas prove that with a bit of wit, creativity, and some everyday materials, you can craft holiday decor that’s every bit as stunning as anything store-bought.

Here, you’ll find all my Christmas crafts ideas. For more eco-friendly Christmas decorating, don’t forget to check out this collection of nature Christmas Craft ideas.