As the holiday season comes into full swing, it’s time to deck the halls with your favorite seasonal décor! Still, buying new pieces year after year is expensive and can cause a lot of excess waste. Why not get the festive look for less and have fun doing it? By making DIY décor at home and taking advantage of your own backyard, you’re sure to create a unique and timeless look without the waste.
Garlands
Garlands are a staple of the holiday season, bringing color and movement to any space. Tinsel shimmers and shines under holiday lights, making it a staple of the season. Stray tinsel can unfortunately become a form of water pollution when it makes its way into the water system, and it’s also harmful to animals if ingested.1
Homemade garlands can be a better option for the nature-loving crafter. Dried fruit and foliage garlands bring the outdoors in creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. Scrap fabric and spare paper from old holiday cards can also be great garland making tools. Get creative with what you have on hand, and you’re sure to have a busy afternoon of festive fun!
Dried Flowers
While it takes a little more planning ahead, dried flowers are a stunning décor option that can be found in your own backyard! Before the next growing season, think about the flowers and foliage that you might want to use in holiday arrangements. If you pick and dry flowers throughout our warmer months, you’ll have a great selection to work with during the holiday season. Here are just a few of our favorites!
Holly
Holly is a classic winter plant, and it can be air-dried easily. With bright red berries and deep green foliage, it goes well with any holiday arrangement.
Lenten Roses
Lenten roses feature large showy blooms and muted seasonal colors. They can be dried in desiccant and are a great option for an elegant look.
Smoke Bush
Air-dried smoke bush boasts voluminous blooms and festive color. It’s the perfect plant to fill out an arrangement and add soft texture.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a classic pick for floral arrangements, but it’s popular for a reason! With a distinctive stony blue-green color and stalks that stand tall, it’s easy to air-dry and add to your festive arrangement.
Coral Bells
Coral bells boast striking cheery pinks and reds, making them a great holiday accent flower. Dry them in desiccant and sprinkle them throughout your dried floral creation.
Once you have your beautiful, dried flowers and foliage, the sky is the limit! Here at the Garden, our horticulturists create beautiful ornaments and accents for our Natural Holiday Trees in the Fischer Visitor’s Center. For a smaller project, try creating a dried flower arrangement or add them to DIY wreaths and swags.
Wreaths & Swags
Homemade wreaths and swags don’t take nearly as much planning ahead as dried flowers do. In fact, you probably have everything you need in your own backyard! Give your conifer trees a little trim, forage for some pinecones and twigs, and get creative!
If your projects are going outside, try to use as much organic material as possible. This helps to make sure that your seasonal décor isn’t potentially harmful to local critters. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect adornment to add to your indoor wreath or swag, try stopping at your local thrift shop. Most secondhand stores have plenty of unwanted ribbon, ornaments, and more!
Suet Ornaments
If you’re feeling extra ambitious, try making some outdoor décor that your neighborhood critters are sure to love. Suet ornaments are an easy project to make at home with just a few simple ingredients; plus, they’re a great snack for birds that stay in Wisconsin throughout the winter. There are plenty of recipes online, so it’s easy to find one that will work for you!
Whether you’re having a crafty afternoon by yourself or a full-blown festive gathering, there are plenty of ways to create holiday décor with what you have on-hand. If you’re looking for more inspiration, look no further than the Garden! Visit the Fischer Visitor and Schneider Education Centers during WPS Garden of Lights or regular Garden hours to check out our Natural Holiday Trees. They’re a stunning example of eco-friendly holiday décor!
Sources
- “Tinsel.” San Jose Recycles, July 6, 2019. https://sanjoserecycles.org/guide/tinsel/.
