15 DIY Christmas Ornaments Using Recycled Materials

You can make a meaningful, stylish holiday display without buying new supplies by repurposing items you already have. These 15 DIY ornaments turn newspapers, bottle caps, corks, CDs, tin lids and more into charming, low‑waste decorations that save money and cut landfill. Practical instructions and simple tools keep projects fast and accessible, and a few clever tips will help you get consistent, lasting results—so keep going to see which projects fit your skill level and stash.

Recycled Paper Snowflake Ornaments

Turn old newspapers, junk mail, or leftover scrap paper into delicate snowflake ornaments that cut waste and add handmade charm to your tree. You’ll use simple paper folding to create varied snowflake patterns, trimming edges for crisp designs. You’ll choose prints or plain sheets, add string, and hang them proudly. It’s a freeing, low-cost craft that champions reuse and creativity.

Bottle Cap Santa and Snowman Faces

After making snowflakes from paper scraps, give bottle caps a new life by turning them into tiny Santa and snowman faces. You’ll paint, glue felt hats, and add button eyes for an instant bottle cap decoration. These small, rugged ornaments let you reclaim waste, enjoy festive crafting, and keep designs simple. Hang them with twine or magnet them for versatile, freedom-focused holiday flair.

Tin Can Lid Star Ornaments

When you pop open a can, save the lid — it becomes a sturdy base for a rustic star ornament you can make with minimal tools.

You’ll punch, fold, and sand edges, then paint or patina for bold tin can lid designs.

Learn compact star ornament techniques: punch center holes, bend points, add twine.

It’s freeing, thrifty, and planet-friendly.

CD Mosaic Baubles

If you’ve got old CDs sitting in a drawer, use their shiny surfaces to make striking mosaic baubles that cut waste and add sparkle to your tree. You’ll break discs safely, glue fragments onto plain baubles, and seal them. Learn simple cd mosaic techniques to create colorful designs that reflect light. You’ll free your creativity and reduce landfill clutter.

Cork Reindeer Decorations

Switching from shiny CD mosaics to cozy, rustic cork reindeer keeps your upcycling streak going while giving your tree a warm, natural touch. You’ll repurpose wine corks, twine, and small scraps to glue antlers, paint eyes, and attach hooks. These cork reindeer crafts are quick, portable, and cheap. Make a set of festive cork decorations that celebrate simplicity and creative freedom.

Denim Pocket Mini Stockings

Denim pocket mini stockings give your tree a durable, upcycled twist by turning old jeans pockets into tiny, handy holders for treats and notes. You’ll cut, stitch, and mix denim color combinations to match your vibe, then add simple stocking embellishments like buttons or leather tags. You’ll hang them easily, save waste, and enjoy a liberated, practical holiday craft.

Plastic Spoon Snowflakes

Often overlooked, plastic spoons make excellent, zero-cost snowflake decorations when you cut, arrange, and glue them into starry patterns.

You’ll reclaim waste, crafting crisp plastic spoon designs that mimic icy geometry. Mix lengths and tips for varied textures, then paint or dust with glitter.

These snowflake variations let you decorate freely, save resources, and express individual style without buying new materials.

Wine Cork Wreath Ornaments

Wine cork wreaths turn leftover corks into compact, charming ornaments you can hang on a tree or tuck into gift packages.

You gather corks, slice or leave whole, glue them in a circle on a small ring, and add twine for hanging.

These wine cork crafts save waste, suit minimalist holiday decor, and let you craft freely with low cost and sustainable flair.

Broken Jewelry Upcycled Baubles

You can carry that same upcycling spirit from cork wreaths into broken jewelry upcycled baubles, turning single earring studs, snapped chains, and missing-latch bracelets into shiny new decorations.

You’ll craft broken necklace ornaments by threading beads and pendants onto wire hoops, repurpose charms into tassels, and pin vintage brooch decorations to reclaimed fabric circles for bold, sustainable, freedom-forward holiday flair.

Mason Jar Lid Snow Globes

When you flip a mason jar lid into a tiny scene, it becomes an instant snow globe that’s light on materials and big on charm. You glue tiny figures, sprinkle salt or glitter, seal with clear epoxy, and attach a loop. These mason jar crafts make portable, low-waste holiday decorations you’ll proudly gift or hang—simple, durable, and freedom-friendly.

Cardboard Rolled Paper Trees

If you’re looking for a zero-waste centerpiece, roll strips of recycled cardboard and paper into tiered tree shapes that use almost nothing but glue and imagination. You’ll craft a minimalist cardboard tree from rolled paper coils, stacking sizes for silhouette. Paint sparingly or leave natural; add twine or a scrap star. It’s portable, low-cost, and frees you to celebrate sustainably.

Felt Scraps Patchwork Hearts

Moving from cardboard silhouettes, try turning leftover felt into patchwork hearts that celebrate scraps and simplicity. You’ll choose felt heart designs, cut irregular pieces, and use basic patchwork techniques to sew or glue them into sturdy ornaments. You’ll add a loop from twine, embrace mismatched color, and hang them proudly—eco-friendly, freeing, and handmade from materials you’d otherwise discard.

Lightbulb Santa and Elves

Turn old incandescent bulbs into charming Santa and elf ornaments by cleaning them, painting faces and hats, and adding felt or paper accessories—no fancy tools required. You’ll enjoy simple lightbulb painting that saves waste and sparks imagination. Choose bold colors, glue tiny beards, and loop twine for hanging. These holiday character ideas let you craft freely, resourcefully, and sustainably.

Map and Book Page Baubles

When you repurpose old maps and book pages into baubles, you give forgotten paper a second season of beauty and purpose.

You’ll cut circles, glue strips, and layer for texture, turning map art and book crafts into lightweight, travel-ready ornaments.

You’ll seal with eco-friendly varnish, add twine, and hang them proudly, conserving resources while expressing your independent, creative spirit.

Egg Carton Angel Ornaments

If you loved repurposing paper, you’ll appreciate how easily egg cartons become charming angel ornaments. You’ll cut cups, shape wings, and glue recycled sections using egg carton materials and simple angel decoration techniques. Paint sparingly, add twine halos, and personalize with leftover beads. You’ll free your creativity, reduce waste, and craft lightweight, rustic angels that celebrate sustainability and seasonal joy.