100 Upcycled Christmas Gift Ideas Your Friends and Family Will Love

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Christmas can be an expensive time of year, but it doesn’t have to be. Many of us feel under pressure to buy more than we need because we worry we don’t have enough gifts or food. This is just one way that consumerism has affected our lives and encourages a cycle of buying new items instead of fixing, reusing, or reimagining the things we already have.  

In this article, we’re going to share our favourite 100 upcycled Christmas gift ideas to help you reuse what you’ve already got. We’ll also share some thoughtful DIY gifts you can make yourself and personalise: 

What personalised homemade DIY gifts can I make?

What are upcycled Christmas gifts?

What are some of the most unique upcycled items or products you’ve seen?

What are some DIY ‘thank you’ gifts that I can give?

What are some cool and affordable home decor options?

At the end of the article, we will also include some eco-friendly swaps to inspire you to make sustainable changes this Christmas.

What personalised homemade DIY gifts can I make?

In this section, we will highlight our favourite personalised gift options for the festive season. The great thing about personalised gifts is the fact you can show your friends and family how well you really know them while creating momentos for all your private jokes and shared memories. The only limit is your imagination!

Photo by SHVETS production from Pexels

Foodie:

1. Homemade infused olive oils
   Ideal for the foodie in your life! You will need to buy or repurpose some glass jars that you can customise with ribbon, bows, or string. You should choose quality extra virgin olive oil - it doesn’t have to be expensive, you could buy it in bulk to save money. Then you need to choose your flavours, from chili to rosemary, or sundried tomato. This article includes a great step-by-step guide.
   
   
2. Create Spice Mixes
   
   For the person in your family who is always grilling or wants to spice up their life! Again, you can purchase or repurpose cute glass jars that you can personalise with the name of the spice mix. You could make a Mexican, Caribbean, or Asian spice mix. This post features loads of great ideas. 
   
   
3. Cookie Mix In A Jar
   If you know someone who loves cookies but you aren’t sure when you’re going to see them, this is a great alternative to baking fresh cookies. You can put all the ingredients in a mason jar so that your friends or family can easily bake their own cookies at home. You can include their favourite chocolate or sweets to personalise each gift. 
   
   
4. Sweet & Spicy Coated Nuts
   If you know you are going to be seeing friends and family and want to give them something a little different, why not try making Sweet & Spicy Coated Nuts? This recipe uses cashews, pecans, and almonds, but you can customise it depending on your taste. You could present the gift in a sterilised jam jar and tie a bow for decoration.
   
   
5. DIY Festive Truffles 
   If you’re taking some time off over the festive period and want to try something different, this Christmas truffles recipe could be just what you’re looking for. They only take 30 minutes to make (but note the 7 hours chilling time required!) and can be given as gifts. You can choose how to decorate them and could present them in a box, or on sticks like cake pops. 
   
   
6. Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
   This is great for the person in your life who wants salted caramel everything. Brown Eyed Baker has created a quick recipe with only four ingredients. You can present your caramel in a jar or pot depending on what you have available. 
   
   
7. Homemade Infused Ginger Gin Recipe
   Gin has become the tipple of choice for many over the past few years. There is now an array of flavours that you can purchase at your local supermarket or off licence. But there is an alternative option… You could make your own infused gin and gift it. This recipe from Sugar & Cloth only uses three ingredients and has lots of helpful tips!
   
   
8. Hand Stamped Wooden Utensils
   If you are going to a party and want to give the hostess a unique gift, or if you have a chef or baker in your life, this is a really lovely idea. The Idea Room has put together a short guide to help you personalise wooden utensils. They’re a great idea if you want to bake with your kids and want to give them their own mixing bowl and spoon so they feel involved.
   
   
9. Customised Candy Sleighs
   If your kids have allergies or like lots of different chocolate, you could make your own Candy Sleigh to include all their favourites. Of course, it’s a great idea for big kids too!
   
   
10. Snow Globe Cookies
    This recipe will be a hit with children and the whole family. When you create your Snow Globe Cookies, you can choose your design and personalise them by adding the name of the intended recipient. You can also add different spice mixes or flavours depending on your preference.

For The Family:

1. Homemade Christmas Gifts - DIY Guess Who Game!
   If Christmas = board games for you and your family, have you considered making your own Guess Who game? We love this idea from Little House on the Corner. In their post, they explain everything you will need for a fun-filled Christmas.
   
   
2. DIY Instagram Flip Calendar
   This is a great gift for the family, friend, or significant other that is always taking photos! You can create a day-by-day calendar using the images from their Instagram account. The best thing about a personalised gift like this is the fact you can use special pictures on special days such as birthdays or anniversaries. 
   
   
3. Custom Personalised Candles
   Do you love giving candles at Christmas? (Who doesn’t?!) This may be an idea you haven’t considered… You can easily make custom candles with a photo of your friends or family. You can even reuse your existing candle jars. Find out more here. 
   
   
4. Create Your Very Own Money Tree
   If you don’t want to give a gift card and you don’t like putting money in a card, this Money Tree idea could be just what you are looking for. All you need is some sticks to create the tree structure, string or twine, and some cardboard to create a decoration for the top.
   
   
5. DIY Chunky Knit Blanket
   Winter is coming… And with it, the opportunity for cosy nights at home with a good book and a scented candle burning in the background. The only thing missing is a DIY Chunky Knit Blanket. This tutorial includes three simple steps and the final product looks great!  
   
   
6. Spa in a Jar
   This is exactly what you think it is! Everyone needs a little pampering from time to time, and the great thing about a DIY Spa in a Jar is that it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can simply fill it with your besties’ favourite spa creams and scrubs or you could choose a theme for your jar such as Christmas, a scent, or their favourite colour.  
   
   
7. DIY Bath Bombs
   If you know someone who will appreciate a gift that will help them relax post-Christmas, this guide on How To Make DIY Bath Bombs is inspiring! This one contains dried orange peel for a citrus scent, but there are lots of options to choose from, such as lemon, lavender, and camomile. 
   
   
8. DIY Herb Garden Planter
   Great for the gardener in your life. But also a great option for the home cook looking to create their own fresh flavours. A DIY Herb Garden Planter can be as big or small as you want it to be. You could include a selection of fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or basil to get the garden started. 
   
   
9. DIY Dried Flower Coasters
   With this tutorial, you have the option to dry your own flowers, which means you can personalise your coasters to include the recipient's favourites. Alternatively, you can add a seasonal element whereby you only include winter flowers or a flower from each season. Either way, the end result is a beautiful set of usable coasters. 
   
   
10. Printable Christmas Coupon Book
    Listed as a ‘last minute’ gift idea, the Printable Christmas Coupon Book is a fail-safe gift for any friends and family. You can offer to do chores, bake goodies, or help someone out with a specific project. It’s 100% customisable so you can tailor it to your recipient. 

What are upcycled Christmas gifts?

Upcycling is one way to reuse existing items you have within the house. For instance, you could take an empty jam jar and use it to make a candle, plant a small plant, use it for a Christmas gift (for instance, the ‘Cookie Mix in a Jar’ idea). Upcycling is becoming more important because it reduces waste. Here are our favourite upcycled Christmas gift ideas:

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

1. DIY Crayon Candles
   It’s easier than you think to make cheerful rainbow candles as Christmas gifts. This tutorial explains how to reuse old wax crayons by melting them down and reusing them. You can personalise the jars depending on the recipient and get the whole family involved. 
   
   
2. Fabric Scrap Keychain Tutorial
   Love crafting? What do you do with your leftover scraps of fabric? Have you considered repurposing them to make a super cute key chain you can personalise and give as a gift? Festive fabric will make a great seasonal treat, but any fabric can be used. We love this tutorial because it’s simple yet effective.  
   
   
3. DIY Memory Jar
   A great sentimental gift! This DIY Memory Jar idea is an especially good choice if you and your significant other or best friend have shared life-changing events or special occasions over the past year. You can list everything and perhaps share tickets or tokens, photos or mementos from the past year and decorate the jar with a festive bow or ribbon.
   
   
4. DIY Wine Stopper
   Going to a dinner party or social gathering over the festive period? If you want to create a unique gift, you can upcycle your decorative drawer knobs to create original wine stoppers. Crafts by Courtney has a simple tutorial you can follow here.
   
   
5. DIY ‘Mommy and me evergreen holiday sweater’ 
   Want to create your own festive sweaters for less? Now you can! You can upcycle existing sweaters or t-shirts to create cute festive designs for the whole family. Whether you want to create matching or unique items, the brilliance of this idea is that you can customise it.
   
   
6. Painted Paw Print Dog Treat Mason Jar
   Pet lovers everywhere will appreciate the thought behind this fully customisable Painted Paw Print Dog Treat Mason Jar idea. It doesn’t just have to be for dogs, it could easily be for cats or other pets that need storage for treats. And you could add the pet's name.
   
   
7. DIY Felt Ball Trivet
   Perfect for the cook in your life! This tutorial shows how to transform felt balls into a super cute trivet for the perfect Christmas gift. This simple (but beautiful) project can be completed in a short amount of time, which makes them a great last minute handmade gift.
   
   
8. Sweater Sleeve Wine Bottle Gift Bags
   Not everyone gifts alcohol during the festive season, but if you do, have you considered making a cute Sweater Sleeve Wine Bottle Gift Bag? You can use an old (possibly festive?) sweater or something you have picked up at your local charity shop. 
   
   
9. Two Toned Mercury Glass Milk Bottle Vase
   If you have old glass bottles or milk bottles you haven’t got around to putting in the recycling, read this article first. It may inspire you to create a Two Toned Mercury Glass Milk Bottle Vase. You can include festive flowers in each vase or simply present them in an old bottle carrier if you have one.
   
   
10. DIY Mason Jar Snow Globe
    You don’t need many supplies to complete this project, but you will need a jar and an ornament or sentimental item to go inside. This is a family-friendly project you can complete together or give as a surprise gift. It could easily become a family tradition to make one every Christmas with the year inside the jar as a reminder.
    
    
11. How To Make A Coffee Mug Cozy From A Sock
    Upcycling at its best! Transform your old festive socks into a cozy coffee mug sleeve to keep your drink warm while you’re on the go. The gift idea is great for the coffee lover in your life who can’t go without their caffeine fix. This has a no-sew option if you prefer.
    
    
12. How To Stencil: DIY Corkboard World Map
    This is a great project if you have an unused corkboard at home that you want to repurpose. If you add a stencil of a world map, your corkboard instantly becomes a fab present for the wanderer in your life, whether they travel frequently or simply have wanderlust. You can encourage them to customise the board to include memories or photos from places they have visited or what they want to see in different places. 
    
    
13. Upcycle Old Frames
    Even if you don’t have items around the house you can upcycle, you could pick up a bargain from a charity shop or car boot sale. For instance, if you find some old picture frames, you can upcycle them into lots of useful gifts for a fraction of the cost of buying the same gift from a shop. This article has 21 different ideas for upcycling old picture frames and we love them all!
    
    
14. How To Make A Monogrammed Zippered Pillow Cover
    Upcycle existing cushion covers or use the ones you put away and never got around to using. This tutorial is great because you can customise your design and personalise it depending on the recipient. You can add a festive element for Christmas to make it extra special.
    
    
15. DIY No Sew Buffalo Check Tote Bag
    Got an old tote bag lying around? Want to transform it into a stylish gift? Look no further… This post explains how to transform any basic tote bag with a little imagination. Simply choose your design, you could choose something festive or personalise it depending on the recipient’s taste, and then create!
    
    
16. DIY Tweed & Tartan Trees

But wait, you might be thinking, aren’t these Christmas decorations? Shouldn’t this be in another section? Well, they could be used as decorations, because they are versatile. But they also make a great gift. They can be personalised to include names, which makes them a wonderful gift for everyone in the family, and different styles of trees, plants, or flowers can be created. Read how to make them here.

1. Put Grandma’s Handwritten Recipe on a Tea Towel
   Another brilliant, sentimental gift idea! In many families, there is one person who passes down recipes and becomes something of a legend over time. This article explains Everything You Need To Know To Put Grandma’s Handwritten Recipe On A Tea Towel. It doesn’t have to be an old recipe, it could be a dish you make with your daughter or something for your children to take with them to uni once they’ve grown up. 
   
   
2. How to Make a Memory Pillow Out of a Shirt
   A memory pillow is a great way to reuse the clothing of a loved one or someone you cared about very much. Instead of leaving shirts folded away in your wardrobe, you get to give them a new lease of life and make a great sentimental item you can treasure forever. This YouTube tutorial explains how to make one.
   
   
3. Brilliant Upcycled Denim Storage Ideas
   Be honest, how many pairs of jeans do you currently have in your wardrobe? Some pairs are going to be sentimental and something you want to keep hold of, but others? You can probably reuse them. This post features a tutorial for creating Denim Fabric Baskets, which are a great present for children who have lots of toys or collect special items that can be stored together. You can alter the lining material depending on the recipient. 
   
   
4. How To Embroider On Wood - Botanical Embroider Hoop
   Embroidery has become a popular pastime since lockdown. Partly because of the beautiful designs that are shared on social media, and partly because people are turning to crafting to relax. This tutorial is great because it uses wool that has been collected and you can use leftover wood that you have at home.

What are some of the most unique upcycled items or products you’ve seen?

In this section, we will share some of the most unusual and unique upcycled items we’ve seen. There really is no limit on what you can create. If you don’t have a lot of recyclable items, take a trip to your local charity shop. They’ll appreciate your support and you’ll be amazed by what you can find. In addition, buying second hand items is a great way to give unloved items a new lease of life and continue the circular economy.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

1. Mini House Wreath Tutorial
   Having a beautiful Christmas does not have to be expensive, as proven with this Mini House Wreath Tutorial. The author explains this style of wreath grew in popularity a few years ago, but the store-bought version can be super expensive. This is a great alternative that is fully customisable depending on the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. 
   
   
2. Christmas Tree T-shirt with Vintage Button Ornaments
   This tutorial is super easy and something you can get the whole family involved with. If you’re feeling extra festive this year, but don’t want to spend a fortune on festive clothing, have you considered reusing what you already have at home? This tutorial will help you transform your old t-shirts into a super cute festive t-shirt.
   
   
3. Upcycled No-Sew Norwegian Christmas Gnomes in 10 Minutes
   We’ve all seen those cute gnomes in shop windows once the festive displays go up. But have you ever checked the price tag? They can be quite expensive to buy, which is why we love this Upcycled No-Sew Norwegian Christmas Gnomes in 10 Minutes guide. You can use whatever materials you have available, whether that’s an old festive sweater, or craft felt.
   
   
4. How to make your own Christmas crackers
   This guide explains the different ways you can reuse kitchen roll holders to create your own decorative Christmas crackers. You can use patterned paper, wallpaper, or plain paper to decorate your crackers. Plus, you can add whatever you want as the filling, whether you want to add a sentimental note, create your own jokes, or games. 
   
   
5. How to Make a Scrap Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornament
   This is such a neat idea! The best bit is that you only need scraps of ribbon to create a beautiful ornament. They make great gift ideas and are especially useful if you have children who are learning to tie their laces. 
   
   
6. How to Make an Edible Herb Wreath for Kitchen Decor, Good Smells, or Just Straight up Good Vibes
   Perhaps the most unusual wreath idea we’ve come across to date, but a great one. This guide explains how to create your own edible wreath at home. The great thing about this idea is the fact that you can change the spices and herbs you use depending on the season. For instance, if cinnamon, nutmeg, pine, and orange are scents you associate with Christmas - you can incorporate them! 
   
   
7. DIY Cardboard Christmas Decorations with Old Postage Stamps
   Do you have a tin that you keep your old and used postage stamps in? If you do, and you want to give them a new lease of life, this could be the creative option for you. You can create your own DIY Cardboard Christmas Decorations with Old Postage Stamps. Decoupage is the technique used to apply the stamps once you’ve created your decorations. If you don’t have old stamps, you can use any other materials you have that are suitable for decoupaging. Read the full tutorial here. 
   
   
8. Christmas Cross Stitch on a Wooden Tennis Racket
   Again, this one might sound a little unusual, but it’s a great way to add festive cheer to your home. Plus, old tennis rackets can often be found at car boot sales or collectors fairs. There are lots of design options for you to choose from, including a snowflake, Christmas tree, or snowman. 
   
   
9. How To Make A DIY Scrap Wood Snowman Family
   If you’ve got old or unused wood lying around, this is a great idea for repurposing it. And, you can either surprise your family with the finished design, or, after you’ve cut the wood, you can get your kids involved and help them paint their own snowman. You can create your own festive scene or dot them around your home for added festive cheer.
   
   
10. Easy To Make Unique Denim DIY Christmas Tree
    How many of us have old pairs of jeans in the wardrobe that we will never wear again? Even after you’ve sorted through the sentimental ones, there will still likely be a few pairs left. This Easy To Make Unique Denim DIY Christmas Tree tutorial will help you transform your old jeans into a beautiful festive decoration you will be proud to display in your home. 
    
    
11. Colorful Christmas Tree
    Arguably one of the most unconventional Christmas tree designs we’ve seen, but it is eco-friendly and great for the planet. All you need to do is use a pair of stepladders and hang baubles from it. You can add your usual star, angel, or other topper and you could even add tinsel to it. 
    
    
12. DIY Book Snowman
    Reuse your old books! Whether you’ve been gifted them, already read them, never going to read them, or are sick of seeing them on your shelves, this is a great idea for reusing old books. This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful DIY Book Snowman. There is also a link to make a pumpkin or Christmas tree design, too. 
    
    
13. Repurposed Vintage Scrabble Ornaments for Christmas
    These make wonderful ornaments or place holders if you have guests coming over. And you don’t have to use your precious scrabble pieces if you still use them. You could repurpose one with missing pieces or pick one up from your local charity shop. As per the guide, you can add different materials to your ornaments to hang them. 
    
    
14. Easy Cookie Cutter Sweater Upcycled Christmas Ornaments
    Cookie cutters aren’t just for cutting cookies! Did you know you can reuse and recycle old jumpers simply by creating Easy Cookie Cutter Sweater Upcycled Christmas Ornaments? This is a project the whole family can get involved with and costs next to nothing, as you can use the materials you have to hand. Simply decide which sweaters and cookie cutters to use and put on a festive film while you craft. 
    
    
15. 19 Upcycled Christmas Ornaments You Can Make Yourself
    This guide is brilliant! It’s got 19 different DIY ornament ideas for you to try at home. We love the upcycled Button Christmas Tree Decorations because they’re super cute and easy to make. We also love the Recycled Button Wreath and the Upcycled Scrabble Christmas Ornament. 
    
    
16. Colorful Vintage Christmas Countdown Board
    This guide will teach you everything you need to know about creating your own Colorful Vintage Christmas Countdown Board using items you already have at home. For instance, you can reuse old ornaments, books, scrap paper, or any other materials you have. 
    
    
17. An Easy Christmas Craft & DIY Scented Candle You’ll Love
    What scents or flavours do you associate with Christmas? We love the idea of creating our own scented candle and capturing the smells that mean something to us. This tutorial is great because of the level of detail that has gone into the finished product, from the cute holly decoration around the outside of the candleholder to the mulling spices used for the scent.
    
    
18. Wooden Bead Star Christmas Ornaments
    If you’ve got old wooden beads from jewellery or craft supplies, this is a super fun tutorial. You can create beautiful hanging decorations from wooden beads to display in your home. There are also tutorials available for making embossed clay stars, sparkle filled baubles, white clay Christmas decorations, and watercolour glazed clay Christmas trees.
    
    
19. Book Page Christmas Ornament
    You can create beautiful decorations using the pages of old books with this tutorial. The only limit is your imagination and the supplies available. This is a family-friendly project anyone can enjoy.
    
    
20. Scrap Denim Angel Christmas Ornament
    We’ve given a few unique examples of the ways denim can be used in this guide. This tutorial is great because it only requires a scrap of denim, so you can use whatever leftover materials you have. If you want to give them as gifts or create one for each child in your family, you can easily personalise the material you use. 

What are some DIY ‘thank you’ gifts that I can give?

‘Thank you’ cards and gifts add an extra layer of thought after a celebration or during the holidays. They can show how appreciative you are, and how much you care. The thing is, it's hard to know what to get if you’re halfway through the Festive period. That’s why we’ve put together this section, so you can make your own ‘thank you’ gifts, whether you’re spending time with your family or friends, or you’re going to a New Year’s Eve party and don’t want to arrive empty-handed.

Photo by Laura James from Pexels

1. ‘Thanks a latte’ Card
   Brilliant for any coffee lovers out there! You can create your own design and even use it as a gift card holder. Depending on the recipient, you could buy an actual gift card for their favourite coffee shop or make them a voucher offering to make them a coffee at home or buy them one next time you’re at their favourite place. This guide includes a printable design.
   
   
2. Candy Pun ‘thank you’ Card
   A thoughtful ‘thank you’ option is to get your friend their favourite candy. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it shows you’ve thought about them. We love this idea because there are so many candy puns out there!
   
   
3. DIY Sewn Notecards
   If you’ve started sewing in recent years and want to show off your skills, this is a great idea. You can either sew the design and/or personalise the card by adding a name (depending on how many you are planning on making and how much time you have!). You can use any scraps or leftover materials you have, which makes it eco-friendly and inexpensive.
   
   
4. ‘Lucky to have you!’ DIY Appreciation Gift
   This is a simple yet lovely idea. It’s thoughtful and says everything you want to say to the people you are most grateful to have in your life. It could be given to friends, family, or co-workers.
   
   
5. ‘Thanks for keeping me on target this year!’
   Although a teacher appreciation gift, this would make a lovely ‘thank you’ card for anyone who is fundraising over the festive period. In recent years, some individuals have asked for charitable donations instead of gifts. This idea is the perfect way to say thank you and is fully customisable. 
   
   
6. Herb Garden ‘Thank You’ Gifts
   Whether for your best friend, a family member, or the person you always go to no matter what, these cute herb garden ideas are great! There are four different design ideas, but you can also come up with your own. We especially love the ‘Thanks for helping me bloom’ idea. 
   
   
7. We “DONUT” know what we’d do without you!
   Ideal for the person in your life who you can always depend upon, or the one who seems to save Christmas every year. Whether you’re planning to make your own doughnuts or buy a special one from your local bakery, this super cute gift tag will help you show your appreciation.
   
   
8. Cheer Up Gifts: Brighten Your Day Gift Idea
   Reuse an old mason or jam jar to create a ‘just because’ gift filled with their favorite things. You can create your own personalised gift tag and add ribbon as a finishing touch, just like in this post. 
   
   
9. DIY Christmas Hamper/Gift Basket
   This idea is great for friends or family. The best part is the fact you can fully customise your hamper to include as much as you want. You can pick a theme, include homemade goods, or buy nibbles - it’s entirely up to you. Another option is to batch bake and then add a couple of each item to each hamper. This popular recipe is for Millionaire’s Shortbread.
   
   
10. Christmas Cookies in a Jar
    All you need to do is add your ingredients, create a cute label, and give it to your friends, family, or co-workers. It’s that simple and the outcome will be delicious cookies. We love this recipe.
    
    
11. Slippers Gift Idea for Women
    If you’ve received an extra pair of slippers this Christmas and want to re-gift them uniquely, this idea might be for you. You can fill the slippers with all your friend’s favourite things, from lip balm to chocolates, a face mask, and a bath bomb.
    
    
12. Get Well Gift Basket
    If you know someone who is feeling under the weather after the festive period, this may cheer them up and act as a ‘thank you’ and ‘get well soon’ gift. You could include vitamins, lavender oil to help them sleep, lip balm, or relaxing bath salts. Whatever you think they’ll like and will cheer them up. 
    
    
13. Just Because Gift Idea-Recharge Your Day
    We’re all busy over the holidays, but we especially spare a thought for those working, looking after children or those with caring responsibility. This Just Because Gift Idea-Recharge Your Day is a super thoughtful way to let someone know that you’re thinking of them and supporting them in whatever they are doing. It’s super easy to make and personalise too. 
    
    
14. Breakfast Hostess Gift Basket
    This is a really lovely idea, especially if you are staying over at your friend’s or with family over the festive period. You can customise the basket to include whatever you enjoy making or your friends enjoy eating. This example includes banana bread and honey butter.
    
    
15. Triple Chocolate Toffee Cookies
    You can change the flavour depending on your preference, but this idea is great because you can batch bake lots of cookies and then either create boxes to give as ‘thank you’ gifts or give one per friend or relative. It really depends how many people you want to thank. 
    
    
16. DIY Brown Sugar Vanilla Body Scrub
    The ultimate DIY relaxation treat! Make your own Brown Sugar Vanilla Body Scrub as a thank you this festive season. It will make the ideal gift for anyone who is working hard over the holidays and will appreciate extra pamper and relaxation treats.
    
    
17. Homemade Bath Salts
    Bath salts are probably easier than you think to make! You can change the scent depending on what you have available or who they are for, and you potentially already have some ingredients. This tutorial is comprehensive and easy to follow. 
    
    
18. Personalised DIY Notebook 
    This is a versatile gift option, as you can tailor it to your needs. For instance, if you have a friend taking a big trip or moving away, starting a new job, getting married, or anything significant, you can create a personalised notebook to help them record their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
    
    
19. Homemade Soap Recipes
    Homemade soap might not sound super exciting, but you’ll be amazed at the variety of scents you can create. This is also a great gift for any friends or family members who want to become more eco-friendly over the year ahead. Using bars of soap instead of shower gel in a plastic bottle can help the environment.
    
    
20. ‘S'more Friends Like You Gift’
    Have you ever been camping with your friends? Did you make s’mores? If you want to make a super cute, fun, thoughtful, AND inexpensive ‘thank you’ gift over the festive season, this ‘S'more Friends Like You’ idea could be just what you are looking for. 

What are some cool and affordable home decor options?

We are so glad you asked! You’ve probably walked past an insanely cute home decor shop that has everything from tall scented candles to luxurious pillows, and the nicest Christmas decorations you’ve ever seen. But every item in the shop has a luxury price tag to match, and let’s be real, who has the budget to spend excessive amounts on decorations?

In this section, we’re going to show you our favourite cool and affordable home decor options that you can make yourself and pass down through the generations.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

1. Bundt Pan Wreath
   Hear us out. This is a beautiful yet simple idea from Country Living. It’s great for any chefs or pro home cooks who like to tastefully decorate their kitchen. It’s also a brilliant idea if you have antique or old tree decorations and you never have enough space to fit everything on your tree. 
   
   
2. DIY Unicorn Ornaments
   This post was originally created in 2016, and what it says is still true today. Unicorn-themed items are still incredibly popular. You can create your own super cute Unicorn ornaments at home, and all you need is clear glass baubles or a colour if you prefer. You also need some glitter glue, glitter, and acrylic paint. 
   
   
3. DIY Boho Inspired Stocking
   You can take inspiration from this design and create as many stockings as you need, in as many styles as you need. The boho-look is ideal for anyone who is embracing chunky yarn knits and cords. Find out how to make your ideal stocking here.
   
   
4. Christmas Craft: Bundt Cake Pan Wreath
   Another simple yet effective idea for the chef or baker in your life. Simply add a ribbon to an old Bundt tin and hang it on the wall for the ultimate indoor wreath. 
   
   
5. Cookie Cutter Ornaments 
   A great idea for upcycling cookie cutters you no longer use. You can choose a patterned piece of cardboard or fabric to back the cutter and make it stand out. Alternatively, you can transform family photographs and ensure your family is displayed during the holidays.
   
   
6. Easy Home-DIY: Macrame Plant Hanger Tutorial
   You may think ‘this isn’t very festival at all’ and you’d be right. Except, you could create a hanger for your poinsettia or other festive flower. You could also use different coloured cotton string (think red, green, or gold for a festive feel). This tutorial explains everything you need. 
   
   
7. Dried Orange Garlands
   Oranges are symbolic of Christmas for many people, for different reasons. Whether they prefer the chocolate kind or the fruit, most people enjoy oranges in one form or another. This brilliant guide explains how to create Dried Orange Garlands you can use to decorate your home.
   
   
8. Salt Dough Decorations
   We love this post on Zero Waste Christmas Decorations. We especially love the Salt Dough Decorations because they are super creative and give you the chance to forage for fallen leaves, twigs, or flowers in your garden or the local area during the festive period. 
   
   
9. Mason Jar Lid Christmas Wreath Ornaments
   I know what you’re thinking, is there anything the mason jar can’t do?! This is a great way to reuse the lids of any jars that have broken or are currently being used without their lids. You can use different colours of wool depending on your decor style. Find out how to make them here.
   
   
10. DIY Christmas Star
    Looking for a new tree topper to replace the ‘drunken’ angel who falls off every year? Look no further! This post is great. It has a step-by-step guide to help you create a customised star tree topper. And it’s made from cardboard cereal boxes! You can decorate it with fabric scraps or whatever you have available.
    
    
11. Homemade Christmas Ornaments
    You can create Homemade Christmas Ornaments with pine cones you find in your garden or at the woods. All you have to do is find them, shake them off, and take them home, where you can tie a bow and some string around them. They can instantly transform any plain space into a festive retreat. Aside from being inexpensive, the whole family can get involved.
    
    
12. Wooden Creative Christmas Tree Ideas
    Create your own rustic Christmas decorations at home! We love the mini Christmas trees made from twigs. You can easily recreate this at home using twigs you’ve found lying around in your garden. You can use the trees you make in different ways. You don’t have to create a stand, you could lie them down on a scrap of fabric or felt and add some string or ribbon to hang them.
    
    
13. Rustic Centerpiece Ideas With Candles
    We love this guide! It is full of beautiful, easy to make, rustic centerpieces that are sure to dazzle your friends and family this year. You can use anything from pine cones to fallen leaves, baubles, dried orange slices, and twigs from pine or spruce trees. 
    
    
14. DIY Wall Mounted Advent Calendar
    In recent years, the array of advent calendars you can buy has increased phenomenally. It’s not just the range of calendars you can now buy (chocolate, alcohol, beauty, luxury food, toys), but the cost of them. People can now spend hundreds of pounds should they wish. We love this DIY Wall Mounted Advent Calendar, as it’s a project the whole family can get involved with and enjoy for years to come. 
    
    
15. Candy Cane Name Card
    If Christmas isn’t Christmas for you unless you have candy canes, this idea is great! Have you ever thought about using candy canes as place card holders? If you’re having people over for the holidays and want to go the extra mile (or give the kids something to do to help) this idea is simple, but festive. 
    
    
16. DIY Floral Hula Hoop Centerpiece 
    Transforming a hula hoop might not be your first thought when putting together a festive centerpiece, but this article will instantly change your mind. It’s not just a fun craft project you can easily complete at home, it is also a cost-effective way to create a beautiful centerpiece for the festive period. We especially love the Floral Centerpiece and the Snowman Scene idea.
    
    
17. DIY Fish Bowl Snowman
    This fun and festive idea can be adapted to suit your level of creativity and craft supplies available. You can even create a mini snow village as part of your festive scene. You can get super creative with the supplies you already have, or make new decorations based on what you can find. 
    
    
18. Dried Orange Wreath
    We’ve provided a couple of suggestions that use dried orange in this post, mainly because it is an easy to use and accessible fruit. It also smells delicious and reminds us of Christmas. This Dried Orange Wreath idea is brilliant! It’s super easy to make, pretty, and very festive. It’s also the perfect solution if you love a festive wreath, but can’t justify the expense of a shop-bought one. 
    
    
19. Yarn Tree DIY with Twinkle Lights
    Create your own sparkly festive scene with this guide. It’s super simple to make and the final product is wonderful. All you need to do is create a cone shape for the base (or buy one), apply glue, and then wrap your yarn around it. You can then decide how to display it and present it over the holidays.
    
    
20. DIY Crochet Stars
    Whether you’re a keen crocheter, or you want to find a new festive project. This guide on 10 Easy Plastic-Free & Zero Waste Christmas Decorations to DIY is for you! Aside from explaining how to create super cute crochet stars, you can learn how to make an Origami Star Garland, Paper Bag Stars, and an Orange Peel Garland using a star-shaped cookie cutter. 

Photo by Laura James from Pexels

What’s your favourite upcycled idea from our guide? We’d love to know your thoughts! 

There are other eco alternatives for you to consider this festive season. For instance, have you thought about switching to string instead of Sellotape? Brown paper or scarves instead of wrapping paper? 

In terms of food waste, only buy what you need, make a list (check it twice) and stick to it. We hope you will be inspired to upcycle or create personalised gifts this Christmas!

Of course, if you want to support the environment and buy gifts made from recycled or upcycled materials instead of creating your own (no judgement!) Paguro Upcycle has a brilliant range of products for all budgets and styles.