Low-Waste Christmas Crafts: 14 Eco-Friendly Ideas For Everyone

Low-Waste Christmas Crafts: 14 Eco-Friendly Ideas For Everyone

Get into the festive spirit with these low-waste Christmas crafts that are both fun and eco-friendly.

Whether you’re looking for cute Christmas DIY ideas or easy Christmas makes, these crafts are perfect for everyone, from DIY beginners to families crafting together.

By reusing everyday items like toilet rolls, fabric scraps, or old newspapers, you can create beautiful, sustainable decorations and gifts.

These Christmas crafts DIY to do at home will inspire you to make the most of what you already have, reducing waste while adding a personal touch to your holiday season.

If you are interested in more eco-friendly ideas for holidays, be sure to check out this post
Eco-Friendly Party Favors: 20 Practical Choices for Every Celebration

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.

1. Ribbon Ornament: A Cute Christmas DIY Project

low-waste christmas crafts stick and ribbon ornament image
low-waste christmas crafts sticks and ribbon ornament image

These cute Christmas DIY ribbon ornaments are great.

Firstly enjoy a walk or play and collect twigs to create these precious little ornaments.

Then head to the thrift shop or your fabric and ribbon stash to gather either pieces of ribbon or spare fabric.

Clothes that kids have grown out of that are too good to throw out but too stained to give away or sell (we all have that pile) work great.

2. Candy Cane Reindeer: Easy Christmas Makes for Everyone

This Cute little reindeer craft is great for all ages.

It involves using pipe cleaners and googly eyes which are a staple in most craft bins.

One of the best easy Christmas crafts to DIY at home as they are versatile decor.

Hang them in a tree or string together to make a garland.

3. Tissue Paper Christmas Wreath: Low-Waste Christmas Crafts Idea

A great idea for low-waste Christmas crafts as you can use an empty cereal box to create the wreath shape and colored or crepe paper, you and your kids could create this adorable wreath to hang around the home.

Create small wreaths to use as Christmas decorations and larger wreaths to use on doors and windows

For a more sustainable option, use old wrapping paper or newspaper.

4. Reindeer Food Cones: A Fun Christmas Crafts DIY at Home

low-waste christmas crafts food cones image

Draw a Reindoor Face on cardboard or paper or draw a lovely Christmas-inspired pattern.

Roll into a cone shape and fill with bird seed.

Leave them out for the raindeers (and the birds) to enjoy.

They are also a great way to gift Christmas chocolates to neighbors or guests.

5. Christmas Stamped Paper Bags: Easy Christmas Makes to Reduce Waste

christmas crafts diy at home decorated cookie bags  image
Becky Stayner

Share your Christmas cookie with loved ones in these adorable Diy Gift Bags. Simply let them go wild or methodical on paper bags with Christmas stamps to create personalized bags.

Acrylic or craft paint can easily be used will rubber stamps.

Consider adding numbers to the bags to easily turn them into an advent calendar.

6. Christmas Character Pots: Cute Christmas DIY for All Ages

Take mini pots and leftover craft bits like pipe cleaners, pom-poms, and googly eyes to create charming Christmas character pots.

These cute pots can hold candies or tiny succulents.

Paint the pots and add embellishments like felt fabric or cotton wool for Santa’s beard or an elf’s hat.

A hot glue gun works great, but double-sided tape can be just as effective for assembling these low-waste Christmas crafts.

These easy Christmas makes are a fun project for kids and adults alike.

image link terracotta pots https://amzn.to/4fHeaAM
Terracotta pots

7. Mini Canvas Ornament: A Low-Waste Christmas Crafts Option

christmas crafts diy at home mini canvas ornaments image
Source

Perfect for small children but also great for the whole family, with mini canvas draw or paint with Christmas colors. If you brave enough add some glitter for Christmas sparkle.

Glue a ribbon or twine at the top and Voila you have a precious keepsake ornament.

Do this every year as tradition and have a timeline on show each Christmas.

8. Filled Ornaments: Christmas Crafts DIY at Home for the Whole Family

low-waste christmas crafts filled ornaments image
MIKE GARTEN

Repurpose plastic ornaments by filling them with leftover craft supplies, glitter, or any small items you have around the house.

These Christmas crafts are perfect for an at-home DIY project that allows you to get creative and reuse materials that might otherwise go to waste.

You can re-do these ornaments each year by lightly taping them shut and emptying them to add new fillings.

It’s a great way to create lasting memories while reducing holiday waste.

9. Yarn Christmas Tree: A Simple and Easy Christmas Makes Idea

These little Christmas trees are easy and adorable. Cut out triangles from cardboard and wind yarn around them then gue pom poms as ornaments.,

Another great hanging decor item that could easily be a garland.

10. Twine-Wrapped Gift Toppers: A Cute Christmas DIY Detail

For a simple yet cute Christmas DIY idea, make adorable gift toppers using cookie cutters wrapped in twine.

These vintage finds, often available in thrift shops, last for years and can be reused season after season.

Wrap the twine around the cutters and attach them to gifts or hang them on the tree.

It’s an easy way to give a personal touch to your low-waste Christmas crafts without spending a lot of money.

11. Paper Chain Christmas Garland: A Perfect Low-Waste Christmas Crafts Project

low-waste christmas crafts paper chain
Photo: Wrappily

Good old-fashioned paper chain. These garlands can be made from catalogs or newspapers. For a distinctive Christmas look use old wrapping paper or christmas themed scrapbook paper.

It’s an excellent idea to do it together as a family or even a group of friends while watching a Christmas movie. Join them all together at the end to create a giant garland that stretches across the room or further.

Using non-plastic paper means you can recycle the chain or place it in the compost. An even better option is to use the paper chain to make your paper to create another chain next year.

12. Origami Stars: Elegant Christmas Crafts DIY at Home

Origami stars are not only easy to fold but also make beautiful Christmas decorations.

You can use any paper you have lying around—leftover wrapping paper, old newspaper, or scrapbook paper works wonderfully.

Punch a hole through the stars and thread twine to create a festive garland, or hang them from the ceiling to create a magical atmosphere.

These are great Christmas crafts to DIY at home.

Perfect for repurposing paper to create something meaningful for the holidays.

13. Orange Garland: Easy Christmas Makes with a Rustic Touch

low-waste christmas crafts orange garland image

A favorite no-waste ornament of many, they smell amazing and can last at least a couple of years as long as they don’t get damp. They can be put in the compost when you’re done with it.

You can use your dehydrator, oven, or air fryer at 200°F (95°C) for about 2 hours, although they can take shorter depending on your appliance.

Poke a hole in while still warm and thread string through to make a single ornament or garland.

14. Paper Tube Flowers Ornaments: A Low-Waste Christmas Crafts Favorite

low-waste christmas crafts paper tube stars image

Every time your toilet paper runs out, save the tubes and turn them into a low-waste Christmas craft.

Collect them over time and sit down together to make these cute and easy ornaments.

Simply cut 1/4 inch (0.5 – 1 cm) strips from the paper tube, fold them in half and glue them together to form a flower shape (or snowflake).

Add a shiny pom-pom or other embellishments and a ribbon or string to hang on the tree or anywhere you’d like to add a personal touch.

These easy Christmas makes are perfect for families or those looking for a sustainable holiday craft.

Conclusion

Creating low-waste Christmas crafts is a wonderful way to celebrate the season while remaining eco-friendly.

From cute Christmas DIY ornaments to easy Christmas makes like twine-wrapped toppers and origami stars, these projects let you repurpose materials and add a personal touch to your holiday decor.

Whether you’re crafting solo or enjoying Christmas crafts DIY at home with loved ones, these ideas are fun, creative, and sustainable.

If you enjoyed these tips, share this post with friends and family who love crafting and spreading holiday cheer!

low-waste christmas crafts pin image footer
Home » Low-Waste Christmas Crafts: 14 Eco-Friendly Ideas For Everyone

Back to top
Cookie Consent with Real Cookie Banner