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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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