Talking About Green

The holidays are an excellent time to get crafty.  There are plenty of recipients to cross off on your seasonal gift list and you no doubt want to decorate the house in a festive manner.  And you can do both of these things by setting up craft projects rather than buying new items.  This is not only good news for your pocketbook, which is probably used to some rough treatment around this time of year, it’s also a great way to give back to the Earth by eschewing manufactured items in lieu of those that are homemade (and from the heart).  So if you’re ready to get started with meeting all of your holiday needs but you don’t exactly know where to begin, here are a few easy items you might want to try.

1. Candles.  Whether they’re for your menorah or just for the table, candles are a wonderful way to set the homey mood of the season.  You can make your own by several methods.  While dipping will probably produce the nicest candles (and provide for the most creativity), you can make it a little easier on yourself by pouring melted wax into tins or glass jars (after mixing in essential oils…and don’t forget the wick!).
2. Cards.  You probably send out dozens of cards each year, so why not make them a bit more personal by constructing them yourself?  Start with some recycled paper as well as stamps and ink with a holiday flair.  Or make some construction-paper cutouts to glue on.  Then fold the paper and stamp away for instant greeting cards to send to friends and family.
3. Garlands and wreaths.  Instead of making these items new every year with tree trimmings, make your garlands and wreaths only once and preserve them.  You can do this by putting cut branches into a solution of glycerin, water, and citric acid (find recipes online) before you hang them to dry.  Unlike the use of aerosol hairspray to preserve plants, this will leave your branches somewhat flexible.  You can also cut flowers from your garden earlier in the year and preserve them in the same way to add to your garland (some baby’s breath, mistletoe, and white roses would probably look spectacular in your arrangement).
4. Ornaments.  You can make all kinds of ornaments for your tree rather than buying the pricey and fragile shimmery globes that dominate most households.  Instead, go with a rustic theme.  Take kids out in the woods to collect items like pine cones and winter berries that have fallen.  Bring these home, let them dry (if they’re not already), and then decorate them with glitter.  Finally, preserve them with a coat of spray lacquer (best if the parents handle this part – in a well-ventilated area).  You can also cut paper snowflakes (just adhere them to a stiff backing) and string popcorn instead of using tinsel or strings of beads.
5. Gingerbread houses.  Most baked goods are not considered too crafty, but making gingerbread houses is an all-day activity that the kids will love.  You’ll probably want to go online to find recipes and blueprints for the gingerbread pieces.  From there, you’ll need a lot of royal icing (which hardens as it dries), and several types of candy to decorate the houses once they’re built.  You can keep the houses to adorn your mantle or give them away as special gifts.  Best of all: they’re 100% edible!

Sarah Danielson is a writer for The Pickup Artist where you can find great tips and advice on dating.