10 Fun & Easy Plastic-Free Holiday Crafts to Make This Season

The holiday season is a time for creativity, warmth, and memory-making, but it can also come with a lot of plastic waste from store-bought decorations, wrapping paper, and disposable items. These simple, sustainable projects are fun for all ages, helping you bring holiday cheer to your home without the environmental impact. So grab your craft supplies and get ready to create beautiful, natural decorations that celebrate the season in a planet-positive way!

1. Orange Slice Ornaments

What You’ll Need: Oranges, twine, a knife, and an oven
How-To: Slice oranges about 1/4-inch thick and bake at a low temperature (around 200°F) for 2–3 hours, flipping halfway through. Thread twine through the dried slices for a rustic, fragrant decoration. These citrusy ornaments look stunning on the tree or strung together as a garland.

2. Salt Dough Ornaments

What You’ll Need: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup water, cookie cutters, and paint
How-To: Mix flour, salt, and water to form a dough. Roll it out, use holiday-themed cookie cutters, and bake at 200°F for 2–3 hours until dry. Once cooled, paint the ornaments and add a ribbon to hang. These are perfect for kids to decorate and make charming, personal holiday decorations!

3. Pinecone Bird Feeders

What You’ll Need: Pinecones, peanut butter, birdseed, and twine
How-To: Spread peanut butter on a pinecone and roll it in birdseed. Attach a loop of twine, and hang these feeders outside as a treat for local birds. This simple, zero-waste project adds holiday spirit to your outdoor space while supporting wildlife.

4. Cinnamon Stick Bundles

What You’ll Need: Cinnamon sticks, twine, dried flowers, or small pine branches
How-To: Bundle three or four cinnamon sticks together with twine, adding a sprig of pine or dried flower for a touch of greenery. These natural decorations can be hung on your tree, used as gift toppers, or arranged on tables for a lovely scent and festive look.

5. Fabric Gift Wrap (Furoshiki)

What You’ll Need: Reusable fabric squares or scarves
How-To: Using fabric instead of traditional wrapping paper is a beautiful, waste-free alternative inspired by the Japanese art of furoshiki. Choose festive cloth, wrap gifts with creative folds and knots, and reuse the fabric each year. It’s easy, unique, and totally plastic-free!

6. Twig Stars

What You’ll Need: Small twigs, natural jute twine, and hot glue
How-To: Arrange and glue five twigs in a star shape, securing them with twine. These rustic stars can be hung on your tree or turned into a beautiful wall garland. Add sprigs of greenery for a touch of holiday color!

7. Dried Herb Sachets

What You’ll Need: Muslin bags, dried lavender, rosemary, or other herbs
How-To: Fill small cloth bags with dried herbs for a lovely, natural fragrance. These sachets are perfect stocking stuffers and add a cozy scent to drawers or closets. Decorate the bags with holiday stamps for a festive look.

8. Paper Snowflakes

What You’ll Need: Scrap paper, scissors
How-To: Turn old magazines, newspapers, or printer paper into classic paper snowflakes! Fold and cut intricate patterns for a beautiful, vintage-inspired decoration. Hang them on windows or string them into garlands for an easy, eco-friendly craft.

9. Beeswax Candle Holders

What You’ll Need: Beeswax sheets, wick, and small glass jars (like baby food jars)
How-To: Melt small amounts of beeswax in glass jars and place a wick inside for simple, homemade candles. Beeswax burns cleanly and has a natural honey scent, making it a perfect, eco-friendly alternative to paraffin candles.

10. Pressed Leaf & Flower Cards

What You’ll Need: Dried leaves and flowers, cardstock, glue
How-To: Press flowers and leaves between heavy books for a few days until they’re completely dry. Arrange and glue them onto cardstock to make unique, nature-inspired holiday cards. This craft is a thoughtful, plastic-free way to add a personal touch to holiday greetings!

Tips for a Plastic-Free Holiday Craft Session

• Use Natural Decorations: Pinecones, twigs, leaves, and flowers make beautiful, biodegradable decor.
• Opt for Reusable Tools: Replace plastic tools with metal, glass, or wooden options wherever possible.
• Choose Biodegradable Glue: Eco-friendly glues are often made from natural ingredients and leave less impact on the planet.

Wrapping Up the Season

This holiday season, skip the plastic and create meaningful memories with these eco-friendly crafts. Each project brings a personal touch and a love for the environment, inspiring creativity and care. So gather the family, put on some festive music, and enjoy a plastic-free holiday craft day! Not only will you create beautiful decorations, but you’ll also give the planet a little gift, too.