Crafting Eco-Friendly Tree Decorations with Garden Finds: A Permaculture Perspective
The holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate the abundance of nature while embracing sustainable practices. By turning to your own garden, you can craft unique and eco-friendly decorations for your tree that reflect the principles of permaculture.
Twigs, pinecones and even branches can transform into stunning displays and ornaments that not only reduce waste but also inspire creativity and connection with nature. All your seed collecting this year can make wonderful gifts too.
Why Choose Garden Finds for Holiday Decorations?
Incorporating elements from your garden into your holiday décor aligns perfectly with permaculture’s ethos of working with nature rather than against it.
Unique Aesthetic: Each ornament tells a story and brings a rustic, natural charm to your tree.
Sustainability: Utilising natural materials reduces the need for store bought decorations, often made of plastic and non-biodegradable materials and the need for storage as they can be composted or used in the kitchen afterwards.
Connection with Nature: Collecting and crafting with garden finds deepens your appreciation for the natural world.
Cost-Effective: The materials are free and readily available, making it an economical option for decorating.
1. Use Twigs From The Garden As A Tree
Gathering Materials from Your Garden
Walk through your garden and keep an eye out for
Twigs and Branches that look interesting shapes and textures. Thicker branches can be cut into small discs, while thinner twigs can be bundled or woven and used for hanging decorations from in a vase.
Pinecones: These are classic decoration staples, perfect for hanging ornaments or center piece displays (also ideal to make bird feeders from too)
Seeds and Pods: Sunflower seeds, dried bean pods, and ornamental grasses provide variety and texture and collecting seeds for gifting too.
Evergreens and Berries: Sprigs of pine, holly, or rosemary add a festive touch and pleasant aroma.
Dried Flowers: Lavender, marigolds, or hydrangeas can be used to add colour.
Using Twigs For Displays Video Reel
2. Use Rosemary As A Fragrant Decoration
Using Herbs To Create An Aroma
Rosemary Wreaths
What You Need: Stems of Rosemary, natural string, twine or ribbon
How to Make: Cut some Rosemary from your garden, loop it round to form a circle be careful not to push too hard or it’ll snap and tie with ribbon or string. Add a loop of string or twine to hang them on your tree.
When finished: They’ll be dried out so you can add them to your kitchen to use throughout the year.
Making Rosemary Wreaths Video Reel
3. Use Some Twigs To Make Tree Decorations
Crafting Natural Ornaments
With your materials ready, it’s time to unleash your creativity.
Twig Stars
What You Need: Twigs, natural string, twine or ribbon
How to Make: Cut twigs into equal lengths and assemble them into star shapes. Secure the joints with string or twine for a rustic look. Add a loop of twine to hang them on your tree.
Twig Trees
What You Need: Twigs, natural string, twine or ribbon
How to Make: Cut twigs into progressively smaller sized lengths to assemble them into tree shapes. Wrap the ribbon or twine around as you go to secure it to place, tie a bow and use string to hand.
How To Make Tree Twig Decorations Video Reel
4. Use Your Seeds To Gift
Gift-Giving with a Green Twist
Handmade ornaments from garden finds make thoughtful gifts that carry a personal touch. Pair them with:
Seed packets with planting instructions.
Miniature potted plants or cuttings.
Small jars of homemade herbal teas or preserves.
These gifts not only delight recipients but also promote sustainable practices.
Seed Packet Gifting Video Reel
Eco-Friendly Finishing Touches
To maintain the sustainability of your decorations, pay attention to the finishing touches:
Natural Adhesives: Try to avoid glue so they can be composted afterwards, natural strings or twines or ribbons you’ll remove for assembly.
Eco Paints: Opt for water-based, non-toxic paints if you choose to colour your ornaments.
Reusable Ribbons: Choose fabric ribbons that can be used year after year.
Composting After Use: At the end of the holiday season, compost any decorations that have run their course.
The Joy of Sustainable Celebrations
Crafting holiday decorations from your garden is a joyful and meaningful way to celebrate the season. It’s an opportunity to:
Spend quality time with family and friends.
Reflect on the beauty and abundance of nature.
Inspire others to make sustainable choices.
By embracing permaculture principles, you create a holiday experience that’s as kind to the planet as it is festive.
The next time you gaze at your tree adorned with handmade ornaments, you’ll be reminded of the beauty of simplicity, the rewards of sustainability, and the magic of turning humble garden finds into cherished treasures.
Happy crafting and happy holidays!
Katrina & Clayton and family live in East Ayrshire and share their daily life in the garden on instagram. They practice permaculture principles in the garden, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed The 2 Grow and Learn Courses with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society This Year. Clayton has just turned 17, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 7yrs. Katrina & Peter both hold their PDC Permaculture Design Course from Oregon State University
They featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens Ep23 2022 and returned in 2023 for an update,Katrina & Clayton are also columnists for ScotlandGrows Magazine, Guest Blog for Caledonian Horticulture as well as working with Gardeners’ World Magazine and many other brands. They are also Authors of the new children’s book: Clayton’s New Garden Journey: A Story of Autism and Growing available on Amazon
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Author of the new children’s book series: Clayton’s Garden Journey: A Story of Autism and Gardening and Sowing, Growing, Weather and Seasons Weekly Gardening Record Book available on Amazon
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