Turn your trash into festive decor with these 30+ DIY recycled Christmas decorations. You will be amazed at what you can make on a budget!

What do a tire, junk mail, cereal box, and paper bag have in common? They can all be used to make Christmas decorations!
No, this is not a joke – all of these items would probably end up in the trash or recycling when you are finished with them; but instead, you can repurpose them into some amazing decorations.
You may look at some empty soda cans and see trash, but someone else looks at them and sees that they could be made into faux vintage bells for a Christmas wreath. Some people just have an eye for this sort of thing.
If you don’t, I’ve gathered a list of 30+ amazing recycled Christmas decorations (including those faux bells) that you can make yourself, or use as inspiration.
I bet if you were to go through your recycling bin or donation box right now, you would have some of the items used in this list. Go grab them and start making some festive holiday decor!
DIY Recycled Christmas Decorations
You're going to love these 30+ Christmas decorations from recycled materials. You will be amazed at what you can make with items that usually get thrown out.
Santa Mailbox
You are never going to believe what this Santa mailbox is made from . . . two cereal boxes! Doesn't it look amazing? Perfect place for your kids to put their letters to Santa!
Christmas Tree Candle Holders
Recycle glass soda bottles into these fun and modern Christmas candle holders made to look like trees! SO easy to make and customize.
Outdoor Christmas Decorations
I am in love with this DIY! Don't throw away your old tires, just repurpose them into outdoor Christmas decorations.
Magazine Trees
Use magazine pages or junk mail to create these cute Christmas trees! The bigger the magazine, the taller the tree.
Christmas Apothecary Jars
Learn how to turn glass bottles with lids into these Christmas apothecary jars (they hold candy!.) Perfect for your holiday mantel or decor.
Giant Christmas Candles
I love these candles! They would look so cute as part of a holiday porch display. Can you believe they are made from mailing tubes?
Photo or Card Display
Use cardboard and ribbon to make these cute trees that display your photos or maybe your Christmas cards?
Vintage Bells
I never would have guessed that the "vintage bells" in this DIY wreath are made from soda cans. Amazing!
Paper Bag Stars
Turn your grocery store paper bags into beautiful stars for Christmas decorations! Leave some of them up after Christmas and call them snowflakes.
Wine Cork Wreath
Saving your wine corks? You should! Learn how to make a wine cork wreath the easiest way possible! This simple DIY wreath takes about 100 wine corks to make and is so pretty.
DIY Christmas Village Using Scrap Wood
Do you have small bits of wood leftover from a woodworking project? Even the small scraps can be used in this cute Christmas village.
Upcycled Santa Coffee Can
Here’s another idea that costs nothing to make and keeps a few items out of the landfill! All you'll need is an empty coffee can, an old belt, and some paint and glitter to make this upcycled holiday centerpiece!
Salt Shaker Snow Globe Ornaments
These salt shaker snow globe ornaments are a uniquely beautiful handmade Christmas ornament and holiday keepsake. They look great on the tree, but are also fun to display on the table without the wire hoop.
Wine Cork Reindeer
Make a wine cork reindeer using this simple tutorial - perfect for turning into a Christmas ornament, decor, or place settings.
DIY Nativity Scene
This DIY wooden nativity set with wood peg dolls is budget friendly and not too kitschy. The barn? Made out of recycled cardboard!
Felt Christmas Wreath on Scrap Wood
This felt Christmas decor is perfect for using up those small scraps! Add to a piece of wood for a cute addition to a mantel or side table.
Santa Napkin Rings to Decorate the Table
These Santa napkin rings will look so cute on your Christmas dinner table! Make them with inexpensive supplies including toilet paper rolls.
Succulent Christmas Tree
Michelle learned the hard way that Christmas trees and cats do not mix! She set out to make her own (cat-proof) tree and came up with this succulent tree made using tin cans.
Metallic Holiday Sign
This 3D metallic holiday sign only cost $10 — because it is actually made using cardboard, spray paint, and gold leaf!
Boho Christmas Tree
See how Sarah turned a bamboo wine rack into a cute tabletop Christmas tree! Such a cute repurposing project.
Upcycled Vintage Tea Towel Christmas Curtains
Kitchen windows can be an odd size, so tea towels make for great curtains! These Christmas themed curtains are very easy to make and perfect for a beginning sewer.
Wreath Photo Frame
Learn how to make a Christmas photo frame using puzzle pieces – such a fun kids’ craft for the holidays, and it looks like a wreath when finished.
Gingerbread Garland
Turn a cardboard box into fun 'gingerbread' houses! Then string them up with lights for a Christmas garland.
Christmas Centerpiece
Learn how to make this unique Christmas centerpiece using recycled bottles and Christmas ornaments! So cute and whimsical – like something out of Whoville!
Star Garland
Similar to the gingerbread garland earlier, this star garland is made from cardboard. It looks great on the tree!
Chalkboard Christmas Trees
The trees in this centerpiece are actually made with cardboard, chalkboard paint, and chalk. Your kids could help make these with you!
Baby Food Jar Christmas Tree
Turn all of those baby food jars you have piling up into a festive glass Christmas tree!
Wine Cork Snowman
Make the cutest cork snowman for your Christmas or winter decor! It's an easy craft for beginners.
CD Wreath
Still have CDs laying around but don't know what to do with them? This wreath is a fun repurposing idea!
Snow Globe
Instead of recycling your next plastic soda or water bottle, upcycle it into a snow globe! There's no water, but when you shake it! The snow pellets fly. Kids will love it.
Christmas Card Tree
After the holidays, create this tree with cards you received for Christmas. It makes a cute decoration for next year!
Painted Jar Advent Calendar
Save 24 jars with lids and you can make this cool advent calendar! I love all of the shades of green.
Plastic Spoon & Fork Christmas Trees
How many times do you get extra spoons and forks for takeout? Don't throw them away. Use them in some cute tree decor.
Easy Upcycled Christmas Canisters
Once the cookies are done, that doesn't mean you have to toss the containers. You can cover them in paper and display them out on the counter.
Was I right? Were you amazed by these Christmas decorations from recycled materials? Then you will definitely enjoy these other Christmas ideas for your home:
- The Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas You’ll HAVE to Try!
- A DIY Tree Skirt Makes Memorable Christmas Decor
- Paper Christmas Decorations for a Holiday Home
- DIY Snow Globes You’ll Love to Make for Christmas
- DIY Christmas Stockings to Hang on the Mantel