Christmas is fast approaching, and this means gift shopping and cozy Christmas decor.
If you want to cut back on unnecessary holiday spending, you can start with DIY Christmas decorations.
Read on to get some ideas from Rob Kras of Unreal Christmas Trees for beautiful Christmas decor that look just as beautiful as the ones you can get from the store.
DIY Christmas Home Decor Ideas
Wood-cut minimalist Nativity
If you have woodworking tools you can easily create your DIY nativity scene using scrap wood pieces.
Get printable templates online or buy them for a few dollars and get started on shaping and cutting your Nativity pieces for a minimalist and natural take on this poignant Christmas scene.
Arrange on your mantle or as the centerpiece for your Christmas table. You can also box a set and gift it to friends and family.
Cake tray Christmas Tree
Did you know that a cake tray can serve as the perfect Christmas tree substitute?
If you have a 3-tier tray or taller, you can fill the trays with Christmas balls and other existing Christmas decor.
Place this on your mantle, on a console table, or on the dining table as a glittery centerpiece.
A cake tray tree is easy to put together and take down and does away with plastic Christmas trees that will only add to your holiday waste later on.
Air-dry Clay Home Decor
Air-dry clay home decor is one of the easiest ways to create DIY home decor that look like you splurged on them.
You have many options with airdry clay, from Christmas-themed trinket dishes, candy cane bowls, Christmas-themed coasters and even fridge magnets.
However, the best idea by far is DIY Christmas tree hanging trinkets.
Use cookie cutters to cut your clay into star, moon, snowflake, or candy cane shapes, punch a hole for hanging and let them dry.
You can paint these trinkets with Christmas colors or use gold and silver accents for a grown-up minimalist look.
String pieces of twine through each decor and hang them around your Christmas tree.
Jar lights
Put your Mason jar collection or any glass jar collection to good use by using them as jar lights.
Stick a roll of battery-powered rice lights into storage jars and spread them around the house for a warm Christmas glow.
You can also stick a Christmas decor or two inside the jar for a more festive vibe.
These jars work from season to season, too. Just swap out the decor to match the occasion you are celebrating.
Dried fruit Christmas Decor
A quick trip to your grocery store’s dried goods section will reveal an entire collection of dried fruits that will look good on any tree and will give your home a fresh fruity scent to boot.
Orange and lemon slices, dried apple slices, and dried grapefruit are available in most home stores.
You can also make your own from scratch.
Cut thin slices of the fruits of your choice, pop in the oven at 175 degrees, and bake until they look crisp but not shriveled up.
Lightly brush with decoupage and punch a hole for the thread and they’re ready to hang on your tree.
You can also use dried fruits as aromatic accents to Christmas wreaths and garlands.
Hanging wall Christmas trees
If you are pressed for space but still want a full Christmas tree, opt for a DIY wall Christmas tree made from hanging branches.
Use branches of different lengths, with the longest length for the bottom, and tapering in length as you go to the top.
Keep the branches together by using shiny twine or rope to tie them into a tree shape.
You can use a ribbon at the top for the star. Hang on your wall and add some string lights.
Just like a real tree, you can embellish this tree with lights and hanging decor or keep it simple and minimalist.
The good thing about this tree is that doesn’t take too much floor space and is one way to dress up a blank wall in your home.
Tabletop Yarn Christmas Trees
Yarn Christmas trees are very easy to make and are also very cheap.
Get a couple of styrofoam cones available in any craft store, yarn in the colors of your choice, and a glue gun.
Wrap the yarn around the cones and keep them in place using your glue gun.
You can display them as is or put them on wooden tabletop pedestals for a stylish yet very cheap Christmas decor.
Cardboard Christmas Tree
If you have several pieces of strong cardboard panels or even thin wooden pallets, cut them out to form a Christmas tree and arrange them on a vertical board that serves as the trunk.
Keep the panels in place by gluing them to the trunk.
Attach the base to a weighted container or a wooden block. Decorate with lightweight Christmas accessories and lights.
Place in a corner and surround the base with Christmas gifts just like you would any traditional tree.
Candy-cane candles
If you want to create Christmas scents at home but don’t exactly want to buy more candles, one trick you can do is to wrap candy canes around your existing candles to transform everyday candles into practical Christmas decor.
These will also give your space that sugary minty scent as the candle burns.
Plant cage Christmas tree
Spread some holiday cheer all the way out to your vegetable garden by transforming your plant cages into DIY trees.
Hang a couple of Christmas decor on empty plant cages or mix them inside the foliage of lush vegetables that you are already growing.
This is an easy way to add some holiday color to your front or backyard and give the exterior of your home that warm, welcoming vibe.
There are so many DIY Christmas decor ideas that you can pull off even with just a pair of scissors and your imagination.
Keep these ideas in mind so you never run out of ideas for Christmas decorations to make your home cozy and warm for the holidays.