Hey there, fellow craft enthusiasts! Robert Kline here, and as the holiday season approaches, I find myself, like many of you, drawn to the magic of twinkling lights and beautifully adorned Christmas trees. This year, I’m especially excited to share my passion for crafting with a sustainable twist – creating eco-friendly Christmas tree ornaments!
Imagine a tree sparkling with unique, handmade ornaments, each telling a story of creativity and care for our planet. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate the season while staying true to our values.
Why Eco-Friendly Ornaments?
For years, I’ve been incorporating sustainable practices into my art, and the holidays are no exception. Here’s why I’m so passionate about eco-friendly ornaments:
- Natural and Recycled Materials: I love giving new life to materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Think cardboard, paper tubes, and even those beautiful fallen pine cones!
- Aromatherapy Delights: Using natural elements like dried oranges and cinnamon sticks not only look beautiful but also fill your home with warm, inviting scents.
- Creating Memories: Crafting these ornaments with my family has become a treasured tradition, and the ornaments themselves serve as tangible reminders of those special moments.
- Saving Money: Let’s be honest, crafting your own ornaments can be incredibly budget-friendly, leaving you with more resources for other holiday joys!
My Top 5 Eco-Friendly Ornaments
This year, I experimented with various sustainable materials and techniques to create a collection of ornaments that are both charming and environmentally conscious. Let’s dive into my top five favorites:
1. Rustic Orange Slice Ornaments
eco-friendly christmas tree ornaments – dry oranges
Description: Close-up of dried orange slice ornaments hanging on a Christmas tree.
These ornaments are incredibly simple to create yet add a touch of rustic elegance to any tree. The process involves dehydrating orange slices to bring out their vibrant color and natural fragrance.
- Pro-tip: Check out my “Beautiful Centerpiece with Natural Materials” post for a step-by-step guide to dehydrating oranges.
2. Aromatic Dough Ornaments
eco-friendly christmas tree ornaments
Description: A variety of shapes cut out from dough, ready to be baked into ornaments.
These ornaments are a blank canvas for your creativity! You can use cookie cutters to make festive shapes, and the addition of rose water to the dough infuses a delicate, sweet scent.
Materials:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup salt
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons rose water
- Cookie cutters
- Cotton cord
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 250°F.
- Combine flour, salt, water, and rose water in a bowl. Knead until a smooth dough forms.
dough to make ornaments
Description: Hands kneading dough in a bowl - Roll out dough and use cookie cutters to create shapes. Make a small hole at the top of each ornament for hanging.
cutting the dough to make ornaments
Description: Using a cookie cutter to shape dough ornaments. - Bake for 1-2 hours, or until hardened.
- Once cooled, thread the cotton cord through the holes to create loops for hanging.
- Pro-tip: Wear gloves while working with the dough, as the salt can dry out your hands.
3. Whimsical Paper Tube Flowers
eco-friendly christmas tree ornaments – flowers made with paper tubes
Description: Delicate paper tube flowers adorned with pine cones.
Transform ordinary paper tubes into charming flower ornaments with this easy technique! I love adding a small pine cone to the center for a touch of nature.
Materials:
- Paper tubes
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Cotton Cord
Instructions:
- Cut paper tubes into 1/4 inch strips.
- Fold each strip in half and secure with a dot of hot glue.
- Arrange the strips into a flower shape, gluing them together at the base.
- Glue a small pine cone, bead, or other embellishment to the center.
- Attach a loop of cotton cord to the back for hanging.
4. Natural Pine Cone Ornaments
" class=
Description: Rustic pine cone ornament hanging on a Christmas tree branch.
Pine cones are a gift from nature, and I love incorporating their natural beauty into my holiday decor. A little cleaning and a simple loop of twine are all you need!
Materials:
- Pine cones (cleaned and dried)
- Cotton Cord
Instructions:
- Wash pine cones with soap and water to remove dirt. Allow to dry completely.
- Tie a loop of cotton cord around the top of each cone for hanging.
5. Rustic Cardboard Tree Ornaments
eco-friendly christmas tree ornaments – cardboard trees
Description: Charming, minimalist cardboard Christmas tree ornaments.
Give those delivery boxes a second life with these rustic tree ornaments! The simplicity of cardboard adds a charming, minimalist aesthetic to your tree.
Materials:
- Cardboard boxes
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Cotton Cord
- Hole Punch
Instructions:
- Draw or print a Christmas tree template.
- Trace the template onto cardboard and cut out the shapes.
trace tree on the cardboard
Description: Tracing a Christmas tree shape on cardboard. - Use cotton cord to cover the edges, securing with glue.
- Create a hole at the top with a hole punch and thread cord through for hanging.
glue cord around cardboard tree
Description: Gluing twine around a cardboard Christmas tree.
More Christmas Tree Inspiration
Looking for even more ideas to make your tree merry and bright? Check out these incredible bloggers who have shared their own unique Christmas tree themes and DIY ornament tutorials:
- DIY Christmas Ornaments Tree: https://oursimplegraces.com/diy-christmas-ornaments-simple-and-charming/
- An Old-Fashioned Christmas Tree: http://kowalskimountain.com/old-fashioned-christmas-tree/
- Old World Charm Christmas Tree: https://www.celebrationelevation.com/blog/old-world-charm-christmas-tree/
- Beautiful Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas: https://keeperofourhome.com/beautiful-christmas-tree-decorating-ideas/
- Tiny home Christmas Tree: https://modwife.net/5-simple-ornament-ideas-to-elevate-your-christmas-tree/
Embrace the Spirit of Handmade Holidays
This holiday season, I encourage you to gather your loved ones and explore the world of eco-friendly crafting. Not only will you be reducing waste, but you’ll also be creating lasting memories and adding a unique, personal touch to your holiday decor.
Be sure to share your creations with me and the Robert Kline Art community! Tag your photos on social media, and let’s inspire each other to make this holiday season both festive and sustainable. Happy crafting!