UPDATED: Tuesday Dec. 13th, 2011
Last year we featured a post with over 100 DIY Handcrafted Holiday Decoration and Gift Ideas, which was posted by Linda Lucille. We have taken that wonderful post and have added on to the great list with all the wonderful holiday gift, food and decorating ideas and posts from this season and the list is now compilation of over 250+ simple, fun, affordable tips and ideas!
Please scroll through the post to see ALL the great holidays ideas!
It's somewhat sad that people moan and groan about the holiday season because it is supposed to be a joyous (rather than dreaded) time of year, filled with festive decorations, delicious one-time-a-year edibles and acts of kindness and generosity extended toward our fellow man. Instead, everyone seems to get a serious case of the crankies as they bemoan the traffic that they must face as well as the long lines at the mall and the expectation that they must reach deep into their pockets to foot the bill for all of the holiday festivities and trimmings. People, people...this is not how it should be...we've all strayed well beyond the path and lost sight of the spirit as it was intended.
Too many bodies all in one place creates the perfect recipe for heartburn which is guaranteed to yield a Scrooge mentality. This year, I offer everyone a respectful reality check: with nothing more than a minor financial investment for basic supplies, a major investment of our own personal time, and a liberal dose of resourcefulness, every single one of us has the power to create a phenomenally memorable celebration that will remain in the memory banks of our loved ones far longer than the pre-purchased holidays of years past. Battling excessive crowds and scrutinizing the resulting eyeball-popping credit card bills will become but a distant memory when we think back upon the folly of our consumer youth.
It all begins with taking inventory of what we already have. Call it what you will -- frugal, green, clever, crafty, eco-friendly, or just plain cheap -- but the fact remains that our grandparents and their grandparents were absolutely right all along. They may have been compelled to handcraft the majority of their holiday needs out of financial necessity more than concern for their personal environmental impact, but do any of us really need to succumb to the call of the stores for shiny new ornaments that reflect the latest trends? Whatever happened to proudly marching to the beat of our own drummer? Conveniently, this one simple act of consumer rebellion kills a bunch of different birds with one stone -- we can effectively save serious money, force ourselves to reinvent the resources already collecting dust under our roof, reduce or in many cases eliminate the production of unnecessary waste and enable Mother Nature to catch a break in what is one of the most notoriously wasteful times of year.
Yes, it will require getting back to basics. Creating things with our own two hands. Putting real thought into our gift-giving process. Channeling our personal free time into the creation of holiday trimmings, edibles and heart-felt tokens that we can tuck away into reusable fabric wrap or recycled newsprint. Some of us might find that this proposal is especially appealing (this year in particular) due to financial constraints, or because we are inclined toward the arts and working with our hands, or maybe...just maybe we long to be reminded of what it's like to live more simply. The extensive list of holiday do-it-yourself ideas below demonstrates that we all have the power to create a dynamic, wonderous, twinkley season, resplendent with all of the hallmarks of a true celebration with none of the fake, commercialized packaging. Green never smelled, tasted or felt so good!
ORNAMENTS:
All I Want For Christmas Is Lead-Free Decorations
Eco Geektastic DIY Christmas Ornaments
Simple Handmade Christmas Decorations
How to Make Christmas Ornaments From Pine Cones
How To Make Recycled DIY Porcelain Ornaments For Your Holiday Decor
How To Make Really Simple, Really Cool Recycled Lightbulb Holiday Ornaments
How To Create A 3-D Origami Star -- The Perfect Holiday Decoration
GENERAL GIFT IDEAS (Fashion):
Green Gift: Fashionable, Philanthropic & Beautiful Scarves From Mekong Blue
Give Perfume For The Holidays?
Make Flip Flops Out Of An Old Yoga Mat
Turn Plastic Bags Into A Homemade Messenger Bag
How To Make Your Own Natural Fabric/Yarn Dye
Turn An Old T-Shirt Into A String Bikini
Make Men's Shorts Out Of An Old T-Shirt
How To Fuse & Sew Old Grocery Bag Plastic Into New, Cool Handbags
Gift Idea: How To Make A DIY Felt Beret
How To Make A Fabric Scrap Collage Necklace
Make a Duffel Bag Out Of Old Umbrellas!
Easy DIY T-Shirt Bag For Sewing Novices
DIY T-Shirt Bag For Sewing Experts
How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard
Holiday Gift Idea: Make A DIY Tape Wallet
How To Make A Hoodie Out Of A Recycled Rock Band Shirt
Transform An Old Sweater Into Three Coordinating DIY Holiday Gifts
Convert An Old Sweater Into A Matching Shrug & Skirt Set
How To Make A Recycled Magazine Bead Necklace (Or Garland) For The Holidays
How To Refashion Tired Old Chuck Taylors
GENERAL GIFT IDEAS:
Did You Know That Your Christmas Is Made in China?
How To Buy Fair Trade, Socially Responsible & Green Gifts
How To Keep Your Gift Giving As Low Carbon As Possible
Green Gift Ideas on a Budget
Throw A Gift Card Party & Donate Everything You Collect To Non-Profits
Clever Handmade "Green" Gift Ideas from Danny Seo!
DIY Holiday Gift Idea: How To Make Your Own Bath Bombs
Holiday Gift Idea: How To Make DIY Stuffed Animals
Holiday Gift Idea: Custom Print Sheets Using Fabric Paints With Todd Oldham & Susan Sarandon
How to Make a Picture Frame from a Recycled Circuit Board
Unusual Eco-Gifts -- Thinking Outside Of The Box Is A Lot More Common These Days!!
DIY Recycled Wine Cork Mud Mat
DIY Solar Art Project
Holiday Gift Idea: Make Tiny DIY Decoupage Tables With Todd Oldham & Amy Sedaris
How To Make A Solar Herb Dryer
Turn Old Lightbulbs Into A Cool New Flower Vase
How To Make Recycled T-Shirt "Yarn"
8 Cool Ways To Recycle Plastic Soda Bottles
How To Turn A Large Sock Into A Tiny Dog Sweater
Make Your Own Natural Gelatin Air Freshener
How To Fuse Plastic Bags (and Recycle Them For Craft Projects)
DIY Reclaimed Wood Cutting Board
How To Make A Seed Bomb
Learn How To Make Compost "Tea" -- A Great Garden Fertilizer
Gift Idea: Make A DIY Hammock For Relaxation
Gift Idea: Make DIY Felted Mouse Baby Booties
Make Homemade Paper
Create Handmade Recycled Seed Embedded Paper
FOOD GIFT IDEAS:
Eco-Friendly Wines for the Holidays
Give the Gift of Food: 5 DIY Ideas
Leafy Green DIY Gift Idea That Will Serve Up A Guaranteed Smile!
Holiday Treat Idea: How To Make Chocolate Covered Corn Flake Clusters
How To Make White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Bark
DIY Holiday Idea: How to Make Lollipops
How To Bake A Homemade Fruitcake For The Holidays
DIY Holiday Gift Idea: How To Make Cake in a Jar
How To Make Homemade Fruit Preserves Via Alton Brown
How To Make Pickled Vegetables
How To Brew Homemade Beer
How To Make Hard Apple Cider
Gift Idea: DIY Spiced Fruit Chips
DIY Holiday Gift Idea: Make Red Wine Vinegar From Scratch
How To Make Homemade Farmer's Cheese
Homemade Holiday Baking and Gift Ideas
Making Homemade Goat Cheese
DIY Homemade Sourdough Starter For Deliciously Fresh Bread
How To Make Scrumptious Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
How To Whip Up Homemade Raw Chocolates In Your Kitchen
Home-Made Candy: Chocolate-Covered Pumpkin Seed Brittle & "Grown Up" Candy Apples
How To Make Homemade Marshmallows
GIFT WRAPPING TIPS:
The How-To's Of Reducing Waste And Wrapping It Green
Great Holiday Idea: How To Recycle Old Clothes Into New Reusable Fabric Gift Bags
Convert An Empty CD Case Into A Holiday Card
Creative Recycled Gift Wrapping Ideas
Creative and Very Green Gift Wrapping Ideas
How To Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper
How To Make A Gift Box Out Of Recycled Scrap Paper
How To Create An Eco-Friendly Furoshiki Gift Basket With Materials You Probably Already Have!
Gift Wrapping with An Eco-Friendly Flair
HEALTHY FOOD TIPS AND YUMMY RECIPES:
Dark Chocolate Santas And Other Necessities
Chestnuts: A Tasty Winter Food Often Overlooked
Life on the Road Home for the Holidays
DIY Gluten Free Playdough Recipe That Makes a Great Gift
Holiday Etiquette: Do’s & Don’ts Around Your Holiday Table
Wheat-free: Recipes for the Holiday Season & Chilly Weather
Meatless Monday: 5 Healthy Sweet (and Kind) Winter Delights
Enjoy Healthy Food On Holiday Budget
5 Ways To Enjoy Healthy Holiday Food On A Budget
Three Ways To Make Nuts A Healthy Holiday Staple
Meatless Monday: Healthy, Earth-Friendly Holiday Meal Ideas
16 Simple Solutions For A Healthy And Eco Hanukkah
Amazing Christmas Cake Pops
Holiday Chow Time = Good Food Down The Drain
Festive and Budget Friendly Holiday Appetizers
Holiday Weight Gain And The Metabolism To Stop It!
Homemade Pie Crusts Five Different Ways
How To Recycle Leftover Candy Canes
How To Make an Easy Gingerbread House
Holiday Meal Leftover Solutions
Holiday Recipes From "Working Class Foodies" (Part 1)
How To Cut the Post-Holiday Dinner Cleanup in Half
Bacon-Wrapped Turkey with Pear Cider Gravy
Paula Deen's Pecan Bourbon Glazed Turkey
How To Make Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Smoky Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus Dip
How To Make A Root Vegetable Au Gratin
Food Safety Tips To Consider When You Prepare Your Holiday Meal
Pumpkin Seed Flatbread with Feta and Sweet Onions
Easy No-Knead Holiday Pumpkin Bread
How To Make A Healthy & Easy Baked Sweet Potato Casserole
Vegan Holiday Meal Ideas With Recipes
Festive and Budget Friendly Holiday Appetizers
How To Make Eggnog For The Holidays
Organic African Ginger Beer Cocktail
Wild Mushroom Strudel With Braised Root Vegetables
Fail-proof Recipe For Harvest Apple Cake
Pomegranate Cornbread Stuffing
Making Sweet Potato Pie With Martha Stewart
The Right Way To Make A Fantastic, Fresh Pumpkin Pie
Traditional Holiday Blackberry Pie
Easy Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
How To Make Red Velvet Cake (Great For The Holidays!)
How To Make Potato Latkes The Right Way
Homemade Cranberry Sauce With Port Wine
How To Make A Pumpkin Pecan Braid
How To Make Easy Mascarpone-Filled Cranberry Walnut Rolls
DECORATING:
5 Easy Steps To Green Your Holiday
10 Free and Simple Eco-Friendly Holiday Tips
Real Trees Greener Than Fake Trees?
I'm Dreaming Of A . . . Green Christmas
Want To Wrap It Up Green For The Holidays?
Do-It-Yourself Easy, Beautiful & Festive Table Centerpiece
Four Natural And Simple DIY Holiday Decorations
How To Make A Wool Felt Garland For Eco-Friendly Holiday Decorating
How To Create A DIY Fabric Scrap Garland & Fabric Gift Wrapping Techniques
Great Green Ideas For Holiday Decorating & Entertaining
Understanding Why You Should Use LED Holiday Lights
DIY Holiday Decorating Idea: Transform Empty Milk Cartons Into Tabletop Lanterns
Eco-Friendly Cranberry & Popcorn Garland 101
Martha Stewart's Napkin Folding Ideas For Your Holiday Table
How To Turn Pine Tree Cuttings Into A Mini Christmas Tree
Turn Your Trash to Into Treasure For An Eco Christmas
Green Holiday Table Decorations
How To Make a Holiday Wreath Out Of Old CDs
Sustainable & Festive Holiday Decor Ideas
Eco Friendly Christmas Ideas With The Garden Girl (Part One)
Eco Friendly Christmas Ideas With The Garden Girl (Part Two)
How to Make an Old-Fashioned Christmas Wreath With Pretzels
Etsy How-To: Make Your Own Christmas Stocking (Part One)
Etsy How-To: Make Your Own Christmas Stocking (Part Two)
Etsy How-To: Make Your Own Christmas Stocking (Part Three)
How To Plant Your Sustainable "Living" Christmas Tree When The Holidays Are Over
How to Make a Candy Christmas Wreath
If after scanning all the wonderful ideas and tips above and you are still looking to buy that special eco gift, here are several helpful holiday shopping guides and ideas:
Top Natural Holiday Gifts for Pets by PETCO
Digital Media Makes Great Green Gifts
Top 10 Lists For Those Last Minute Green Gift Ideas
Charge Keyboard With Sun & Lights
Green Buying Tips For The Holiday Season And Beyond
Green Gift Idea: Fashionable, Philanthropic & Beautiful Scarves
Charitable Giving All Year Long
Junky Gift Syndrome (A.K.A. The Plastic Disaster)
Plastic Gift Cards -- Multiple Ways To Get 'Em Outta Our Landfills!
Gift Bags Gift Bags Everywhere
Eco Mama's Holiday Green Gift Guide: 14 Simple Stocking Stuffers
Holiday Savings To Smile About From SmilingGreenMom.com
Turning Black Friday Green, Part 2
Black Friday Turns Glittery Green With Amazing Discounts: Part I
Black Friday Turns Glittery Green With Amazing Discounts: Part II
Green Gift Guide: Sustainable and Stylish Gifts For The Host
Miscellaneous and Fun Holiday Related Posts:
10 Toxic Items For Pets To Avoid for the Holidays
Send Out Holiday Cards That Grow
Electric Eel Lights Up Christmas Tree at Aquarium in Japan
Wait just a second...before you move onto greener pastures, please take a gander at Greenwala's holiday-themed community video section for even more ideas on how to get your DIY green on. Everyone continues to submit new how-tos on a daily basis, so you can always count on finding something fresh and inspiring every single time you check back!
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