This Christmas, decorate your tree with festive items made from already-used materials. Not only will your tree look intriguing and spirited, but you can take pride in having reduced your impact on the environment this holiday season.
Put a twist on the favorite holiday craft known as paper snowflakes by making them out of old newspapers. Use a square piece of newspaper, approximately 6 inches by 6 inches, to begin. Fold the square in half diagonally so that it resembles a triangle; two of the opposing corners should meet. Fold the triangle in half again, symmetrically, and repeat once more. Use scissors to trim the wide end of the folded paper so that it is a straight edge. You will end up with a triangular shape. Make assorted cuts of different shapes and sizes into the triangle without unfolding. Be sure never to cut completely across the width or length of the triangle. When you’re finished cutting, unfold the triangle to reveal a snowflake shape. Hang on your tree with string.
Martha Stewart’s Christmas card ornaments turn last year’s cards into this year’s decorations. Cut each card into strips lengthwise, making each strip no wider than half an inch. Use a hole punch to make holes in both ends of all the strips. Secure both ends by laying the strips on top of one another and inserting a paper fastener through both holes in the stack, joining the strips together at both ends. Bend the strips collectively so that they form a half circle shape, then swivel the strips one by one around the center axis until they form a globe. Hang by knotting a piece of string or thread around the top of one of the paper fasteners.
Plastic bottle ornaments look lightweight and elegant. Discover how to turn recycled bottles into icicles, feathers or stars and use them to adorn your tree, or create your own crystalline ornaments by cutting bottles into whatever shapes you envision; snowflakes and flowers are several possibilities to consider.
Kids will love making colorful recycled paper ornaments in fun shapes. Collect all sorts of scrap paper, find an ice tray in an interesting, festive shape and have fun customizing these ornaments to your liking.
Source:
“Recycled Ornaments,” Martha Stewart