Christmas time is a symbol of joy, warmth, and togetherness, and decorating the Christmas tree is one of the most important moments of this period. However, traditional plastic ornaments and glittery items often leave a long-lasting negative impact on the environment. Are you aware that in the last ten years humanity has produced more plastic than in the entire previous century? For this reason, more and more people are turning to making sustainable alternatives during the holidays, which not only reduce waste but also encourage creativity and have positive effects on mental health.
– Creative activities activate the right hemisphere of the human brain, leading to the creation of new neural connections and pathways. They also develop fine motor skills and strengthen concentration and focus. Numerous scientific studies on creativity and art therapy have shown and proven a wealth of benefits for human health, such as reducing anxiety, stress, and mood swings, as well as improving overall well-being and quality of life. These benefits are particularly useful during the holiday season, when busyness and stress are ever-present, – said Vesna Filaković, an art therapy specialist, who combines creativity, art, psychology, and psychotherapy in her practice and profession to improve mental health and well-being. Filaković has also worked with our European Solidarity Corps volunteers at Sunce.
Here are some ideas and tips on how you can help the planet and yourself this holiday season – make sustainable Christmas tree decorations!
1. Decorations made from natural materials
Nature provides us with many materials that can be turned into beautiful decorations. For example, slices of orange, lemon, or apple, once dried, become lovely aromatic ornaments, whose warm appearance brings a touch of tradition into the home.
Cinnamon sticks and star anise are not only beautiful but also add a pleasant fragrance to the tree. You can tie them with twine, a bow made from old material or add them to a wreath. A special atmosphere can be created with wreaths made from rosemary and holly branches or pieces of citrus peel.
2. Recycled decorations
Don’t rush to throw things away, as some of them can serve as excellent bases for tree decorations. Wine corks can be painted and, with a little imagination, transformed into snow houses, while buttons (which always seem to be scattered around the house) can be strung together with twine and quickly turned into snowmen.
From fabric and old clothing, you can cut out typical holiday shapes (stars, hearts, or trees), stuff them with cotton or lavender, and sew them together.
You can make origami stars, snowflakes, or mini lampshades from paper and cardboard, such as old newspapers, magazines, or packaging.
3. Handmade decorations
Decorations can also be greeting cards you’ve received from loved ones or photographs with family and friends. All you need to do is make a small hole in them and add some twine so they can hang on the tree.
Even salt dough, which is inexpensive and simple to make, can serve as a decoration. With a mixture of flour (4 cups), salt (1 cup), and warm water (1 and a half cups), you can create decorations in your desired shapes, and after baking (about an hour at 150°C), decorate them with natural paints. The dough doesn’t necessarily have to be baked, but it will need to air-dry for a few days to harden completely.
If you know how to sew, knit, or crochet, small, knitted decorations, such as balls, snowflakes, or mini stockings, will be a unique addition to your tree. Perhaps this is a good incentive for you to learn this skill! This year, we taught it to young volunteers in sewing workshops as part of the project ŠIZIKA– Sewing, Patches, and Creative Activities. While we are momently preparing new activities for young people, you can find out more about how to acquire this skill in ŠIZIKA – A Small Guide to the Basics of Sewing.
Sustainable Christmas tree decorations combine a love for nature and the desire for warm, personal holidays. Making or acquiring them is an opportunity to create unforgettable memories with family or friends. In this way, your tree will not only be a symbol of the holidays but also a small step towards preserving our planet.
– This holiday season, I would recommend as much hands-on creative work as possible for all ages. I personally make sustainable Christmas decorations from clay, wool, and fabric because not only are they good for the planet, but a unique handmade item is much more beautiful and interesting than a mass-produced, usually plastic product, – says Vesna Filaković.
What do the members and followers of Sunce do?
In December, we held a contest in which we invited our followers to share their ideas on how they live sustainably during the holidays. The goal of this contest was to encourage people to reflect on their habits and celebrate the holidays in an environmentally friendly way.
We received many creative suggestions – from handmade tree decorations, gifts from their own kitchens and gardens, wrapping presents in reusable materials like scarves and newspaper, to bringing their own cups to Advent events.
The three most creative responses won surprise boxes that we prepared as a token of appreciation for their effort and inspiration. Their ideas were incredibly imaginative and showed how small changes can make a big difference for the environment, while still allowing us to enjoy the holiday spirit. The winners of the contest are:
- Sandra Mešin Bužančić
- Marina Novak Marčec
- Magdalena Vrgoč
Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their stories – together, we are creating a more sustainable future!
