Decorate for the Holidays with These 5 DIY Tips
It may seem like it’s still a bit early to be talking about decorating for the holidays, but according to a recent survey, 27% of Americans put up their holiday decorations before Thanksgiving. This number includes celebrators of Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa.
We’ve always felt like the holiday season comes and goes too quickly. So, why not extend the festivities, get a jump on decorating for the holidays, and do it all without breaking the bank? Our DIY tips will have you feeling the holiday spirit in no time.
And the best part: most of these crafts can be done with things you already have at home, so there won’t be too many added trips to the store to slow you or your wallet down. From turkeys to garlands and menorahs to Christmas trees, these easy and affordable crafts cover all the bases.
Let’s Talk DIY Turkey Decorations for the Holidays
Since Thanksgiving is up first, we want to start with all of the different ways you can make festive gobblers to adorn your home with. Some fan favorites from Pinterest:
- Coffee filter turkeys
- Pinecone turkeys
- Handprint and footprint turkeys
- Paper bag turkey puppets
- Toilet paper roll turkeys
Made from items like coffee filters, foraged pine cones, construction paper, clothespins, and washable paints, most of these crafts require only items you already have stored in a closet. Over the turkey craft craze? Here’s a list of 70 Thanksgiving crafts for kids.
You’ll still have to scroll past a fair amount of turkeys, but on this list, you’ll also find crafts for pumpkins, pilgrims, pies, and more. Next up, we have our favorite DIY decorations for Christmas and Hanukkah.
Greenery Garlands
If you love a bit of greenery but hate the cost of store-bought garlands and wreaths, it may be time to try your hand at making one instead. This tutorial for a DIY foraged evergreen garland is easy, festive, and zero-waste.
These can be hung up to greet visitors at the front door, over the fireplace mantel, in doorways, and in any other area of your home that needs a festive pop of natural color. You can also make garlands similar to this one out of other items.
These easy Christmas paper garland ideas are for anyone looking to dodge pesky allergies or sap hands while they craft. They’re ideal for all ages and make use of craft, scrapbook, or construction paper, hot glue, and other items that most of us have lying around at home.
Gingerbread Buildings That Don’t Come in a Box
Gingerbread kits aren’t cheap, and it seems like one is just never enough. Plus, it often ends with a huge, uneaten mess that gets tossed in the trash anyway. Our solution: cheater gingerbread houses made from unused pantry items!
This budget-friendly gingerbread house recipe relies on free printable templates and homemade cookie dough to get the festivities going. Have younger kids that won’t miss the structural aspect of gingerbread building? Make your own royal icing with egg whites and sugar, gather up your leftover Halloween candy, make a batch of cookies from scratch, and get decorating!
Make Your Own Menorahs
Hanukkah decorations aren’t always as easy to come by as other winter decor. But there’s an easy fix for that. This list of the 13 best Hanukkah crafts for kids and adults covers everything from menorahs and dreidels to The Star of David.
The first on the list, the paper flower menorah, is practically a work of art and sets the tone for a warm, colorful, homemade holiday. From there, everyday items like paper plates, acrylic paints, and popsicle sticks will help you create an unforgettable season.
Craft Some Christmas Trees
Similar to the turkeys we talked about earlier, there are countless ways to craft Christmas trees to decorate with. Here are some of the most popular:
- Clothespin Christmas tree ornaments
- Yarn and stick Christmas trees
- Paper cup Christmas trees
- Easy handprint Christmas trees
These colorful crafts are easy to make, and many of the materials overlap with the ones used for Thanksgiving, ensuring that you get the most bang for your buck.
