There is nothing better than simple decor that is budget-friendly & looks warm and inviting! Here are a few ways you can turn common household items into easy DIY Christmas decorations that add a rustic & cozy touch to your holiday!
Pin Now for Later! – Easy DIY Christmas Decorations
The Love of Easy DIY Christmas Decorations – Upcycled Home Decor
Hi, guys! I hope today finds you well & blessed! Today, I am excited to share with you 10 easy DIY Christmas decorations! Simple ways that you can decorate for the upcoming holidays using items that you may already have on hand along with a few upcycling projects! These items may also be found at your local thrift store if you don’t already have them.
Some of these items would make a thoughtful handmade gift or could even be sold for profit.
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For the month of November, I challenged myself not to buy ANY supplies and use only what I had on hand. So I had to get a bit creative for some of these projects & look at items in a different light. I love UPCYCLING items that others would discard!
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Some of the Materials I used for easy DIY Christmas Decorations
Besides thrifted finds & home decor items I had on hand I also used the following to give a makeover or create these decor items:
- Rustoleum Chalk Paint in Linen White (in can)
- Chiffon Cream Chalk Paint
- Rustoleum Chalk Paint in Linen White (spray paint)
- DIY white wax (outer edge of the metal chalkboard tray)
- DIY dark wax (I use as a sealer & to add an aged or weathered look)
- Spray Sealer by Rustoleum (6pk) I use this to seal everything from my printed images prior to applying Mod Podge to applying as a final sealing coat on items that have alot of texture or may be difficult to use a brush on.
- Water-Based Poly Sealer (Brush on sealer)
- Waverly Chalkpaint in the color Steel – this sampler set is amazing!
- Mod Podge (liquid glue used for decophage)
Some of the Tools I used for easy DIY Christmas Decorations
- Wax & Chalkpaint Paintbrushes
- Small piece of fine-grit sandpaper
- Gorllia Glue Dual Temp Glue Gun
- Flameless Battery Operated Pillar Candles w/remote – https://amzn.to/3o4i0KG
- Battery Operated Tea Light Candles – https://amzn.to/3o4hPz0
- Battery Operated Fairy Lights – https://amzn.to/3CWMoNe
Project 1 ~ Waterless Snow Globes
This is my FAVORITE project from this decor post! I think these waterless snow globes also make the perfect gift!
Any type of clear glass jar or bottle will work! As long as the mouth will fit the size of the bottle brush you want to use. I picked my trees up at the Dollar Tree for my kid’s homeschool art projects for my kids and had a few leftovers.
Don’t worry if you find the perfect glass jar or container & it doesn’t have a lid. I took a partly stained lace doily (yard sale free bin) & cut what I needed from the “unstained” part. Applied Mod Podge over the entire fabric piece to not only glue it onto the rim but add some stiffness to the fabric. Then I glued a piece of trim around the edges to hide the seam line.
Project 2 ~ Display Groupings of Collections
Look around your home to see what items you can group together for a stunning holiday display. I placed a few brass items along with my daughter’s milk glass collection for a beautiful vintage display.
I grouped some antique transformers that reminded me of pine trees onto a silver dish & sprinkled some faux snow for a dramatic effect. An added bonus is that these displays can be left up well after the holidays are over. Adding colorful glass ornaments inside of a large clear vase makes a simple yet festive display.
Just about any style collection will work! You can place them on a vintage tray, inside of a wooden crate, or even on top of an old wooden board to add a cozy rustic feel.
Project 3 ~ Rolling Pin Upcycle
Not only was this a fun (& Nostalgic) DIY but I think this thrifted rolling pin came out really well. I used vintage gift wrap paper (yes, I hung on to a folder filled with scraps of gift wrap from my childhood – lol) & yes, it is now vintage just like me! You can also use magazine pages, calendar photos, or even make your own decoupage paper.
This technique can be applied to upcycle many different types of home decor. As long as you add a few coats of sealer to the final project they can be wiped down with a damp cloth and last for many years.
I brushed Mod Podge onto the rolling pin one small section at a time (foam brush works the best) Then smoothed the paper onto the rolling pin, slight wrinkles are okay because I am going to lightly distress with fine-grit sandpaper after the Mod Podge has dried.
After lightly distressing the paper with fine-grit sandpaper, I applied 2 coats of Poly Acrylic sealer allowing each coat to dry between coats. Sanding lightly after each coat to make sure the surface is very smooth. This piece is strictly for decorative purposes.
Project 4 ~ Decorating Kitchenware
Very simple decorative idea but this can add such coziness and a festive feel to your kitchen!
Adding greenery (faux or real), a bow, lace or ribbon, pinecones, faux or real candles to colanders, old coffee pots, crocks, graters, sifters, cast iron pans & rolling pins!
Project 5 ~ DIY Mini Wreaths
An easy way to add a FESTIVE TOUCH to your home is by adding a simple wreath to your decor. Here is made one from a wide mouth mason jar band & some lambs ear, then gluing on a piece of rope to cover the seam line. I added a metal welcome sign (I know it’s not very festive BUT it can be used year-round or just add some berries or embellishments)
The other small wreaths were made from the garland that I either recently thrifted or used as home decor.
Project 6 ~ Repurposed Frame
Using an old picture frame is a perfect way to display a wreath! I picked this one up at a yard sale for fifty cents & it had metal wire stapled to it. I decided to leave the wire on as it made it easy to tie on the wreath & gave it a farmhouse vibe.
This wreath was flimsy, I had made it from the last pieces of grapevine that I had a few years back. It was too flimsy to hold its own but made a great complement to the frame.
I dry brushed some Chiffon Cream Chalk paint on the frame and added some embellishments that I had on hand.
Project 7 ~ Repurposed Metal Trays
One of my favorite thrifted finds to upcycle is metal decor, especially when it comes to trays & platters. I also love a beautifully tarnished vintage platter with gorgeous patina & just can not bring myself to paint over it.
This makes this REPURPOSED DIY perfect because no damage is done to the original piece and can be easily decorated for the holidays or year-round OR can be upcycled for another project or used in its original manner.
I added a wreath that I made in Project #5 from a thrifted pine garland & used a few items I had on hand to embellish them.
FOR MORE ways to UPCYCLE METAL DECOR:
Metal Tray Upcycle- A New Welcomed Look
Upcycled Metal Home Decor DIY
DIY Faux Concrete on Home Decor
Project 8 ~ Updating Worn Home Decor
This guy had seen better days and needed his topcoat refreshed. Wanting to keep his aged distressed look but cleaning it up a bit. I applied two coats of white chalk paint, then dry brushed some Waverly Chalk paint in the color steel, on to create a distressed look without sanding.
I did use fine-grit sandpaper just to smooth out a few rough spots that he came with originally. Then I added a pip berry wreath that I made in Project #5 from an old garland I had.
Project 9 ~ Pocket Wall Baskets
I just love pocket wall baskets & think they look beautiful hanging on a wall, front door, or even on a peg shelf. A couple of coats of white spray paint and some DIY Dark Wax and these 2 pieces received a much-needed makeover!
I love how the dark wax adds an aged look & I even added a touch to the poinsettias and lace to tone it down and give it a softer look. The greenery can be switched out for any season!
Project 10 ~ Star Lantern Crocks
When shopping for thrifted items if you happen to see a shape or design you like, don’t be discouraged by its outward appearance. Some sandpaper & a fresh coat of paint can work wonders for any outdated piece.
This set of handmade pottery lanterns were something I would have passed up a few years back due to the color not fitting in with my decor.
With only a few coats of White Linen Chalk paint (spray can) they now can complement just about any decor & by adding some greenery or battery-operated candles they can be used not only for the holidays but year-round.
I hope you enjoyed this post about creating easy upcycled holiday decor! If you would like more Creative DIY ideas be sure to subscribe to our newsletter!
Please share with me by commenting below which of these simple decor DIY’s do you like best?
Blessings, Kim
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