Create Christmas Ornaments, Gifts and Decor from Recycled Items in the Home

An old tissue box can be used in many different ways at the holidays. You could cut holiday theme shapes out of the cardboard of a tissue box and cover it with festive paper or spray paint it in a holiday color. Then punch a hole at the top and hang the ornament with a ribbon on the tree. You can find free design templates in holiday themes in the holiday section at MarthaStewart.com.

Or paint old tissue boxes gold or silver and then use them to hold small holiday gifts. This makes a nice sturdy box to hold gifts. These boxes could be re-used for years at the holidays. If you wrap a long ribbon round and round the box and tie it in a bow at the top it will ensure the items don't fall out of the box.

If you cut stars out of tissue box cardboard and paint them in holiday colors you can make a very festive garland. Punch a hole at the top of the star and thread a thin ribbon through. Make a knot on either side of the star in the ribbon to hold the star in place. You could add a person's name to each star to personalize the garland.

To make a special tree ornament for someone, cut their initials out of the cardboard from a tissue box. Then cut a circle, star, or square shape to be the background piece of the ornament. Paint it and let it dry. Then paint the initials in a different color. Glue them on top of the background shape and you will create a wonderful ornament. Punch a hole at the top to hand the ornament by a ribbon.

If you are creative you could create 3-D, origami type ornaments from cardboard from tissue boxes. This ornament will take some time, but it will be a fabulous gift.

I once received a holiday gift at around age 10 or so of cardboard ornaments, paint, and glitter to make tree ornaments. I loved the ornaments that I made. I gave some away as gifts and kept some and still hang them on the tree. I love the shine from the glitter. That gift was a commercial product, but you could make this gift on your own too. Use an old tissue box to hold the gift. Then create the ornaments by cutting shapes out of the cardboard. Add some ribbons, glitter, glue and paintbrushes to the box and you have a wonderful gift for a kid who likes to be creative.

Create Ornaments from Items in Drawers

We all have those drawers full of items we don't use anymore but don't want to throw out. Go through the drawers and think about ways to turn those items into Christmas tree ornaments.

For example, you may have saved some crystals from an old lamp. If you add a red or green ribbon that crystal turns into a lovely ornament. Or if you have old small photo frames you can glue a ribbon to the back of the frame and insert a picture to make a special ornament.

Also, if you have a seashell tucked away from a special vacation, find it, drill a hole at the top and hang it by a ribbon to place on the tree.

Look for Ornament Ideas in the Kitchen

Cinnamon sticks are often lingering somewhere in the kitchen. Tie a few sticks together with a festive ribbon and then use another ribbon to wrap around the bundle with a loop at top to hang the ornament.

Cut slices from the peel or an orange or grapefruit and let them dry. Or you could cut out shapes like a heart or a star. When the peel is dry cut a hole at the top and thread a ribbon through to make an ornament.

Fill the toe of an old stocking with cloves and cinnamon sticks to make a wonderfully scented ornament. Tie off the stocking at the top with a ribbon to hang the ornament on the tree.

Create Décor Holiday Items

Use the magnets from some old refrigerator magnet items and create new home décor items with them. You can attach the magnet to the back of a laminated photo from a prior Christmas to make a new home décor item. Hang it on the fridge to bring back holiday memories.

Save small drawers from old dressers to fill with holly or pine boughs and scented pine cones at the holidays. This is a simple way to make a holiday centerpiece or a décor item for the front porch.

Paint an old chair red, green, silver or gold and use it as a place to stack wrapped holiday gifts. This will add a festive touch to any room.

If you have an old teapot that is missing a lid, spray paint it gold or silver and fill it with cinnamon sticks, cloves, dried orange peels, or other naturally scented items to create a natural air freshener that also has holiday spirit.

Gather up the old wicker baskets hanging around the house and use them to make décor items for your home or to give away as gifts to help others decorate their home. Fill the baskets with pine boughs, cinnamon sticks and pine cones. You could also fill the basket with fresh fruits to make a beautiful and edible decoration for your dining room table or to give away as a gift.

Sources:

Personal experience

Martha Stewart