Sustainable Christmas Day 4 - Sustainable Decoration Ideas

Vlogmas with a twist - looking at some sustainable ways to use sewing over the festive season. Looking as some sustainable alternatives to decorations & the problem with candles!
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[@sarahrieth9042]

Thank you for leading us to reflect on the materials we use and enjoy, and their impact on the environment.

[@Frugalisama]

You're welcome Sarah, thanks for watching 🤗

[@myrtlecatchpole8089]

I spent a small fortune on my tree decorations back in 1984 shortly after I first left home and I still have most of them, including the original star. Since 1984, I've had four sets of lights for the tree, two of which are still in use. Each year, I will buy the odd thing to replace a breakage. This year, I bought the cutest pom pom Christmas pudding to hang on the tree. I got it from a stall that was raising money for a small local charity. I also left them a donation and bought some raffle tickets. Far better than overdoing the bling. x 😁

[@Frugalisama]

That was money well spent - hard to believe 1984 is almost 40 years ago too 😳

[@myrtlecatchpole8089]

@@Frugalisama Thanks, Sam. Now I feel really old. x 😂

[@Frugalisama]

@@myrtlecatchpole8089 🤣

[@nicolejacques2563]

I did rag wreaths one year with the Girl Scout troop I lead, and they had a blast. They were pretty young at the time, but it was still an easy enough activity that they could do it themselves, have a conversation, and occasionally break into Christmas carols from their holiday concert. One of my favorite decorations wasn’t handmade but could easily be handmade by someone. It is a set of two garlands. One has Mrs. Claus’s clothes on it and the other has Santa’s. They are on a jute cord and are hung up with clothes pins as if they had been left out to dry. They are so adorable and simple.

[@Frugalisama]

Yes it's a fab activity to do with any age or level of craftiness. The clothes garland is such a lovely idea 👍

[@jennifermaddock4382]

I get simpler every year with decorations, Christmas and otherwise. I've reused my decorations forever but I've never thought of it as sustainable, just cheap and sentimental. My oldest one is my grandmothers tiny tinsel tree.

[@kristymcmillan7481]

You can put the glass candle that’s still got wax in it, into the freezer. The wax is quite easy to get out once it’s frozen.

[@Frugalisama]

Great tip, thank you 👍

[@mairead5891]

I've really enjoyed your vlogmas ideas Sam, it's putting a whole new spin on Christmas! I can never understand why people change their Christmas decorations each year. For me part of the joy of decorating the house and tree is to bring out the decorations my husband and I have been collecting over the years. Many of them are made of wood so eventually will decompose like any other wooden object - if they were to be thrown away that is!

[@Frugalisama]

Glad you're enjoying it Mairead, yes it's the memories attached to the decorations & the stories that they remind you of that makes them special isn't it. 🤗

[@carolainsworth8673]

Thank you Sam. I enjoy making my own Christmas decorations, I have used old card to cut out birds, angels, stars etc particularly the parts where people have written their Christmas greetings. Thread and hung individually or made into a garland…lots of sewn decorations too. I enjoy creating something unique each year.

[@Frugalisama]

They sound lovely Carol - yes I love to create something unique too 🤗

[@AtHomeWithMercedes]

I haven't bought Xmas decorations since before me and my husband got married. Love them and they are here to stay.

[@Frugalisama]

Good on you 👍

[@sandrachamberlain5760]

Hi Sam, been reusing decades old decorations older than our children! Great vlog, reminded me being at infants school and making decorations nice memories when you make your own.

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks Sandra, yes it's the memories & stories that make Christmas special isn't it 🤗

[@cecilehoare3053]

Our city over the last few years has been doing a Christmas decoration swap. You take what you don't want to the location and 'shop' for items you might like. It's all FREE!! This year (due to Covid) it had the most participants! When our children were born we started buying an ornament every year. My daughter asked that I stop when they reached 30! lol My son's are now packed in a box for when he gets his own tree and my daughter has hers at her house but we still add to her collection (next year is her last!). For our tree, since the kids are no longer living with us, I thrifted decorations in the colours I wanted and bought the few new ones during the Boxing sales afterwards. I agree, you don't need new decorations every year if anything have a couple different themes and swap them out every other year! I use my jars from candles (the short chubby ones) for starting bulbs, specifically amaryllis bulbs. They are also great for succulents. If they have lids they make great containers for cotton wipes, and other items you keep in the bathroom.

[@Frugalisama]

All great ideas Cecile, love that the city has instigated the decoration swap 👍

[@Moll0510]

Our tree and oldest decorations are 34 years old, some are still lovely, some a bit naff but all tell a story of our family life.

[@Frugalisama]

I love that they tell a story, that's what it's all about 👍

[@kathyhill8419]

I have an ornament on my tree that my Dad made as a wee boy - he's 74 now! Thank you for all the frugal Christmas tips and facts - I'm just catching up with your vlogmas series now

[@Frugalisama]

You are so welcome Kathy

[@lisahalmshaw1275]

Hi Sam. I enjoy making pom-poms for baubles and garlands. Also left over wrapping paper can be turned it into paper chains. My friend has a metal chain bought from a DIY shop, she stuffs lots of greenery from the garden through all the links, simple but effective.

[@Frugalisama]

Love these ideas Lisa, thanks - you can't beat a pom-pom 👍

[@ShirleyJarrett]

Some great ideas, Sam. Like the candle tip for using as a sachet for the linen cupboard & the undies. 👍

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks Shirley

[@sewchilled22]

The candle disc is a great idea... I will give it a go 😀🎅

[@Frugalisama]

Hope it keeps your undies smelling lovely as much as mine does 😉

[@janellelenhardt9337]

Thanks Sam, I did not think about removing the candle wax & using the disc. ❤

[@Frugalisama]

It's an easy thing to do too 👍

[@nataliestanchevski4628]

Our oldest decoration is an angel topper and it turns 47 years old this year. My mum bought it the year my sister was born but she should have bought a little devil lol.

[@Frugalisama]

Wow, that's amazing, made me laugh when you said she should have bought a devil 🤣

[@VariationsOnASeam]

We reuse the same decorations year after year and only add ornaments we make together at home. I thought that's what everyone did tbh. My oldest decorations are from when my older brother was a baby. The most significant though has to be our artificial Christmas tree. My mother bought it when I was a kid and gave it to me when she was going to toss it. It must be at least 35 years old. It is ratty now but once it's full of decorations it looks beautiful. I can't justify throwing it out.

[@Frugalisama]

Yes I love it when the decs have a story - I have my mums tree too when she was getting rid 👍

[@InAgatasCottage]

We love making our own decorations. Every year we try do something. This year Alice has a lot of decorations to do in her activities advent calendar I have prepared so I don't think we will be doing any additional I have on my tree decorations I have brought with me from Poland when I moved to Ireland in 2006. We do love candles but we mainly buy in big glass jars that Kris and Alice are reusing for little self-sustaining mini gardens. They haven't made one in a while but they are collecting all glass jars with clear leads in anticipation of spring.

[@Frugalisama]

Oh what a lovely idea for the mini gardens 👍

[@jennetthamilton7942]

There are so many lovely Christmas decorations available at thrift stores. I have even found lovely Christmas fabric this year at the thrift stores. A rag wreath is something I'm hoping to make this year.n

[@Frugalisama]

They're really simple to make Jennett & I bet you have all the scraps 🤗

[@annettecowburn1096]

Hi Sam, thats a great idea with the glass candle. I wouldnt have thought of using the wax as a drawer freshener. Thanks again for all your research info.

[@Frugalisama]

You're welcome Annette 🤗

[@cathmckeever2728]

Your rag wreaths are beautiful. Our decorations are family memories and come out year after year. We love chatting about when & how they were made or where we bought them. Thanks for suggesting to stop and think about all the waste & providing practical solutions. ❤

[@Frugalisama]

Thank you Cath, shared memories are precious aren't they 🤗

[@robynlaszlo6128]

Thank for all the great tips

[@Frugalisama]

You're welcome 🤗

[@margaretmillar7866]

I’ve never been into candles as they are not cat friendly but some good tips for reusing the holders. It’s not surprising at the amount of Christmas decorations that go into landfill. It’s all too commercial these days.

[@Frugalisama]

I agree Margaret, we've lost the meaning somewhere haven't we 🤗

[@diannessewingroom7]

They were great tips thank you so much and you have really opened my eyes about the candles! I do recycle all my bits but had not really thought about while they were burning, quite a few do set me off coughing though. I have just made a Christmas wreath completely from recycled bits of fabric I have a video over on my channel if you would like a look. Thanks again looking forward to your next video.

[@Frugalisama]

It's worrying what they put in the candles to make you cough isn't 😳 Just watched your wreath video, it's a lovely idea, just subscribed 🤗

[@diannessewingroom7]

@@Frugalisama oh thank you glad you like it. 😊

[@lynneprentice4278]

Thanks for another great vlog Sam! I’ve been building my decorations up, getting on for 30 years. I’ve bought a new one every now and then if I’m travelling, to replace those that have fallen or gotten pulled apart, also brings memories of where I’ve been, although the last few years I’ve not bought any. I love the ones I have and they are special! ❤️

[@Frugalisama]

Oh yes it's lovely to pick them up on your travels isn't it 🤗

[@elizabethsawyer5906]

Great tips Sam! I make my Christmas decorations and also have a fabric Christmas tree that pins onto the wall as I live in a flat which is a bit small for a real tree. I also make Christmas decorations for my grandchildren and store them away until they leave home and have their own tree and I will gift them some. I have 7 grandchildren so as you can imagine I am fairly busy!! Thank you💕

[@Frugalisama]

The fabric tree sounds like a great solution for a small space Elizabeth - yes that's a lot of decorations for the grandchildren, they will be cherished 🤗

[@angelastratton9851]

Hi Sam loving your vlogs. It’s def making me think how I can lessen wastage and start to make my decorations. Love the rag wreaths they are beautiful. Merry Xmas when it comes and thanks for the thoughtful tips. 🎄

[@Frugalisama]

You're welcome Angela, so glad that you're enjoying them 🤗

[@rachellynncreates2703]

Wait…. People buy all new ones every year?! We collect them. And while we may get a new one we only throw them away if they shatter. My oldest one is 23 years old. I got it the first year I moved out. My mom still has some from when we were children.

[@Frugalisama]

I know, it's hard to believe isn't it 😳

[@rachellynncreates2703]

@@Frugalisama completely strange. I love all the stories that comes with each piece. I can’t imagine taking that away.