Lovely Etc.

Creating home for less

  • DIY Decor
  • Furniture Flips
  • Upcycled
  • Printables
  • Shop
You are here: Home / Christmas / Trash to Treasure: 25 Fun Christmas Upcycles

Christmas Upcycled

Trash to Treasure: 25 Fun Christmas Upcycles

  • Share
  • Tweet

These 25 trash to treasure Christmas projects are packed with budget-friendly ideas for upcycling everyday items into amazing Christmas decor.

I love a good trash to treasure project any time of year and Christmas is no exception.

In fact Christmas may actually be my favorite time of year to come up with fun upcycled projects. It’s just so incredibly satisfying turning old scrap wood and castoffs from the donate pile into beautiful, festive Christmas decor.

And it definitely beats fighting the crowds in the Christmas decor aisles on a busy weekend!

Each of these trash to treasure Christmas projects is inexpensive, environmentally-friendly, and incredibly creative. And most can be made from items you already have in your home.

Plus they’re just fun to make!

trash to treasure Christmas projects pin collage with text

25 Trash to Treasure Christmas Projects

These trash to trash Christmas projects use a variety of cheap or free materials including scrap wood, glass jars, picture frames, old Christmas cards and more. With these creative ideas, get ready to turn your old cast-offs into amazing Christmas decor!

Photo Credit: greenwithdecor.com

DIY Wood Burned Christmas Trees

Use scrap wood to make rustic wood burned Christmas trees. If you already own a wood-burning tool, this is basically a FREE project!

Beautiful Christmas Centerpiece made with Thrifted Trees

This sweet Christmas centerpiece that I made for our home is one of my favorite trash to treasure Christmas projects. It was so inexpensive to create using common thrift store finds.

Photo Credit: www.pillarboxblue.com

Unique DIY Wooden Christmas Tree

This DIY wooden Christmas tree is so creative and unique. It uses old knobs and hooks and is made from architectural salvage. What a conversation piece!

Photo Credit: heatherednest.com

Plastic Spoons DIY Christmas Tree

Check out the tutorial for this super cool DIY Christmas tree made from plastic spoons.

How to make a Beautiful Buffalo Plaid Christmas Wreath

This DIY buffalo plaid Christmas wreath is the perfect blend of traditional and modern. Even better, it was made from a plaid shirt that was ready to be donated!

Photo Credit: www.chatfieldcourt.com

Easy DIY Christmas Banner with Lighbulbs

Save those burnt out lightbulbs! You are going to want to turn them into a DIY Christmas banner.

Photo Credit: www.martysmusings.net

Scrap Wood Christmas Tree

Repurpose old wood into a festive Christmas tree that you can hang indoors or outside. Look how pretty it is on this front door!

Photo Credit: sustainmycrafthabit.com

Pickle Jar Christmas Terrarium

Learn how to make a DIY Christmas terrarium from an empty glass pickle jar. Add a family photo for a personalized gift idea.

Christmas Music Wreath Ornament

Make a pretty Christmas music wreath with Christmas carols from old hymnals, or you can use this free download.

Photo Credit: www.zucchinisisters.com

Upcycled Wooden Christmas Tree

Learn how to make a super cool wooden Christmas tree using an old furniture leg. Isn't this just adorable?

Photo Credit: repurposeandupcycle.com

Rustic Christmas Countdown Clock with an Upcycled Tree Charger

Make a festive DIY Christmas countdown clock with an upcycled tree charger.

Photo Credit: www.houseofhawthornes.com

Silverware Tray Repurposed For The Holidays

Upcycle an old silverware tray for the holidays by turning it into a festive shadowbox with bottle brush trees.

Inexpensive reusable advent calendar

Make a reusable DIY advent calendar from an old frame that you can use year after year.

Photo Credit: girlinthegarage.net

Christmas Wreath from a Repurposed Metal Tray

Keep an eye open at thrift stores for an old metal tray, or even a wood tray. See how Jen from Girl in the Garage repurposed a metal tray into a fabulous farmhouse-style wall hanging.

Photo Credit: designeddecor.com

Repurposed Pallet Snowflakes

Get the step-by-step tutorial for repurposed pallet snowflakes. You can sometimes find pallets for free making this a budget-friendly project.

Photo Credit: www.2thesunnyside.com

How to Make Personalized Christmas Ornaments with Nostalgic Memories

Do you have any leftover tiles? Turn them into personalized Christmas ornaments for a thoughtful gift idea.

DIY Mini Mason Jar Christmas Ornament

These tiny aqua mason jar ornaments are the perfect addition to any farmhouse style Christmas tree. This simple tutorial shows you exactly how to make them.

Photo Credit: www.makingmanzanita.com

DIY Framed Yarn Christmas Tassel Tree

Learn how to use leftover yarn to make a pretty Christmas tassel tree that you can frame for instant wall art.

Photo Credit: artscrackers.com

Upcycled Christmas Wrapping Paper Tree Centerpiece

Instead of throwing out those scraps of wrapping paper, upcycle them into a Christmas wrapping paper tree. This is such a cute idea.

Photo Credit: artsyprettyplants.com

Wine Cork Planter Ornament For Your Christmas Tree

These wine cork Christmas planters make the sweetest tree ornaments. If you are not a wine drinker, you can always ask a friend to save theirs.

Photo Credit: swoodsonsays.com

Vintage Ornament Makeover

 A few dated wreath ornaments found in a thrift store were given new life with color! Don't you love the aqua deer in the center?

Photo Credit: www.creativegreenliving.com

JOY Faux Barn Wood Christmas Wreath Sign

We all love a good upcycled wood project! This scrap wood Christmas wreath sign will make a beautiful addition to your holiday decor.

Photo Credit: www.songbirdblog.com

Vintage Style Christmas Ornaments

These vintage-style ornaments are fun to make and a great way to use old Christmas cards.

Photo Credit: stacyling.com

DIY Wood Pallet Star Tree Topper

Use scrap pallet wood to make a really pretty star tree topper. Whether you leave it natural or paint it, you can easily customize it for your own tree.

Photo Credit: www.4theloveoffoodblog.com

DIY Recycled Christmas Card Gift Bags

Turn old Christmas cards into the cutest holiday gift bags. What a great way to upcycle!

Seriously, I love seeing how creative people can be.

And now I’m pretty sure I’m going to spend the afternoon diving into my own junk stash and scrap wood pile and making a few new festive projects for my own house!

More Christmas Decorating Ideas I think you’ll like:

  • DIY Flocked Christmas Tree: How to Flock Any Tree
  • 21 Easy and Creative DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas
  • Cheery, Cozy Christmas home tour – filled with lots of ideas for making everyday items Christmasy
  • 21 Creative Gift Ideas for Crafters and Makers

I’d love for you to pin this post on Pinterest!

carrie signature in blue
  • Share
  • Tweet


4 Comments

« How to Make a Christmas Photo Book: A Sentimental Gift Idea
23 Creative DIY Wood Christmas Ornaments »

Comments

  1. Michelle says

    November 24, 2021 at 9:52 am

    There are so many great ideas in this post. I will definitely pin for later. I really like the advent calendar from the old frame. Thanks for including our ornaments in your post. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      December 2, 2021 at 4:44 pm

      Thank you! I love the ornaments – such a smart idea!

      Reply
  2. Rebecca Payne says

    November 24, 2021 at 1:30 pm

    I love this post. Thank you! Have a great Thanksgiving.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      December 2, 2021 at 4:44 pm

      Thank you! You too!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Looking for Something?

  • About Lovely Etc.
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shop

Thanks for stopping by Lovely Etc! While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of the information displayed on this website, Lovely Etc. makes no guarantees as to the procedures and information contained here. The publisher will not be liable for direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with the information displayed on lovelyetc.com. This website is not intended to substitute for advice from a professional.

Lovely Etc is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316