I love this time of year because of all the cozy things that mean Christmas to me from a roaring fire in the fireplace, to the scent of cinnamon, cloves and balsam fir, the lovely cards, ornaments and presents, and time with my family and friends. This is also a time of year when we waste so much paper and throw loads of things out. Apparently, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, we throw out 25% more trash than the rest of the year.
I am constantly searching for ways to be less wasteful, and creative when it comes to repurposing or recycling things. I saved some of my favorite ideas, and will use them for inspiration, which I hope will inspire you as well to create something wonderful. 
Christmas in French is Noel. I like the clever letters made from natural or recycled materials. C’est chouette ( Cool)
One of the easiest ways to bring a little holiday flare to your home is to tuck some spruce branches on mantles.
Gifts can be wrapped in brown recycled paper and spruced up with a little imagination.
Apologies for the dreadful clipping here but had to show how great these branches looked strung with lights and suspended from the ceiling.
A found branch can be turned into something so wonderful, with a little paint, sparkles and ornaments.
Love the finials as objets around the candlesticks.
Recycled cans reborn as table decorations.
Use animal shaped cookie cutters to make your own sparkly Christmas tree decorations. Just keep the ones separate for cooking, from the ones you use with clay. I have saved all the homemade ornaments my daughters have been making since they were little and they will be strung up on the tree again this year. I love them.
I haven’t attempted to make a wreath using hay but I like the way it looks. The stars and animals were first secured with a thin but sturdy piece of wire & glue and attached to the hay wreath.
Apologies for the scrappy image but I just love that this wreath was made from several pieces, let’s say “found wood”. You can reuse it year after year or just burn it in the fireplace if you have had enough of it.
A very french and original way of creating a Christmas tree. The shoes displayed in a row is a what was used in France instead of Christmas stockings. You left a pair of your shoes either by the fireplace, the tree or at the foot of your bed and it would have a little presie or two tucked inside by the morning.
Another clever and creative Christmas tree. This one has an advent calendar feel about it. The candlesticks look like they were made with various bits and bobs.
Christmas tree made from paper. I can only hope that it’s from recycled paper.
Happy Holidays!
Priscilla
