To me, store bought décor just doesn’t make the cut (no pun intended). For one, it can be pricey, and this is one time of year many of us are trying to save a penny or two where we can. Secondly, purchased decor often times lacks character, hominess and warmth. Why would I want my home to look just everyone else’s – that’s pretty boring, isn’t it? Most importantly, store bought décor, be it any time of year, is often made from harmful materials that not only damage the environment, but also our health.
Going green with your Thanksgiving décor has no bounds — it can be as simple as collecting pinecones from your own yard and adorning them with paint and glitter, to a felted and whimsical autumnal wreath like you see above. Here are five simple ways to transform your home this Thanksgiving with effortless eco style…
1.Take a nature walk and gather the signs of the season from your own environment to create a simple, but beautiful nature’s harvest centerpiece. Grab a basket and the kids and gather items suc
h as pinecones, acorns, moss, colored leaves, or dried flowers. Place your harvest in a tall vase or a glass bowl and adorn with a hug of raffia for a festive, naturally green centerpiece.
2. Fall leaf coasters are nothing more than leaves and card stock. Simply put aside some leaves from your nature walk and glue them onto cardstock the size of a traditional coaster. Laminate, and you’re done!
3. Chinese Lanterns are small plants with delicate husks that resemble pumpkins, and are ideal for adorning a stairway bannister. Glue thin strips of velvet ribbon to the stems, and tie between each spindle. When the holiday is over, wrap them in tissue paper and save for the next season. They should last for a few years.
4. Make a painted wine bottle tree. Take a couple of empty, clean wine bottles and cover entirely in white paint. While the paint is still wet, wrap a piece of twine around the bottle 2/3 of the way up, twice. One piece of twine should sit on top of the other. Roll the top half of the bottle (with wet paint) in a wide bowl of glitter. Once the paint has dried, finish by placing a handful of twigs in the bottle. This is one DIY anyone can do, and it looks fancy, too!
5. Felt is in. It almost seems like felt was made for chilly weather décor for it’s texture and fibers. My favorite Thanksgiving project is to make a felt and fabric wreath. Get the kids involved, and you will have a memory that will endure seasons. Click here for a stunning DIY Thanksgiving wreath tutorial from Uncommon Designs Online.
What are your eco-friendly Thanksgiving decorating tips and tricks? Share with us in the comments below…
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About the author:
Erica Kei is a freelance online brand reputation manager and blogger based in San Francisco. She has a passion for sustainability and all things to do with living a happy and meaningful life. Learn more about Erica by following her on Twitter and Facebook.
