Curled up under a quilt from my grandma, reading “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang for book club, drinking tea from a mug my mom gave me last winter, maybe Great British Bake Off playing in the background—nothing is better. Looking around my apartment, I see thrifted taper candles dripping over wine bottle holders. On my wall, a ceramic plate with a “give thanks” message I thrifted hangs next to an olive branch tapestry I crocheted a few years ago.
As the cozy season approaches, so does the urge to decorate for the season. I love decorating with items that were gifted, handmade, repurposed, or found thrifting. That way, I save money and reduce waste by not buying things new, and I end up surrounded by items that are meaningful to me. Here are some of my favorite low-waste, DIY garlands and quick seasonal decorating tips.
Garlands
Bows
I save ribbons that come on gifts, so I have a lot of them. I’ll tie the ribbon into bows on some twine (can usually be found at the thrift store) for a sweet garland to hang on the mantel, TV stand, doorway, etc.
Postcards
I collect postcards, and I’ll pin them on string using some mini clothespins I thrifted. For the winter, I’ll choose postcards from the mountains or other cozy destinations, and maybe mix in some photos I have from favorite wintry memories. Antique stores usually have tons of cool vintage postcards.
Orange slices
To make the classic dried orange garland, slice some oranges or other citrus fruits across the “equator,” lay them on a cloth and blot to remove any excess moisture, and then bake on a silicone baking mat at around 215 degrees for 3-5 hours or until they’re dry, flipping every hour. Then let them fully cool, poke two holes in each slice, and string twine through it to make the garland.
Popcorn
To make a popcorn chain, use day-old popcorn so it doesn't crumble. You can use a needle and thread to string it together, and compost the popcorn when you’re done.
Paper stars
One simple garland is just stars cut out of scrap paper and pinned onto string. You can use newspapers, brown paper bags, or craft paper you have, and you can paint the paper if it needs a little sprucing up.
Bonus!
If you don’t have much time to construct a garland, here are some quick decor ideas:
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Swap out your coffee table books for others you already have with colors that match the season.
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Repurpose old wine bottles to hold thrifted taper candles.
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Get creative with what you frame. I have a couple art books I thrifted that keep me stocked with impressionist pieces I can frame, and I also collect newspaper covers I like to swap out throughout the year.
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Make a simmer pot. Fill a saucepan with water, bring to a boil, add your favorite winter aromatics (find a recipe from a low-waste blogger here), and then reduce to a simmer. Add more water every 30 minutes or so, and enjoy a holiday-scented home!
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I also like tying bows onto candlesticks, vases, picture frames, etc. to add a little spirit.
These low-waste ideas don't require much shopping—just look around at what you already have in your home. We would love to see what you create. Share a photo in the comments!
