Wreaths and garlands might be the most classic natural decor of the holiday season, but if you want to try something new this year, here are six fun DIY ideas that also almost entirely forgo plastic and other processed materials. They’re easy to make, and when the celebrations are over, many of their components can be recycled or composted.
Leftover wrapping paper Christmas tree
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This is a cute alternative to a store-bought decorative tree for a buffet or desk. Start with a 12-inch by 12-inch piece of green scrapbook paper. Roll the paper into a cone and secure the seam with a line of water-soluble glue. Trim the bottom so the cone stands on its own. Then, using wrapping paper scraps, cut two-inch wide by about 10-inch long strips. You’ll need roughly 10 to 12 of them, depending on how wide your scraps are. If you have narrower scraps, you’ll make narrower strips, and thus need more.
With scissors, snip the strips at the bottom repeatedly, making what resembles a paper grass skirt. Roll each strip over a pencil or use a scissor blade to carefully curve the cut strips upward. Starting at the bottom, glue each strip around the cone, layering upward so each row overlaps the last by about a half-inch. Continue attaching the strips, trimming each one’s length as needed, until you’ve reached the top of the tree. When finished, you should have a colorful tree with curly “branches.”