Go Green This Holiday Season With These Decorating Tips

Deck the halls — naturally! Minimize spending and reduce waste by using organic and found items to give your rental seasonal flair. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Go green. Just because it’s chilly outside doesn’t mean all greenery goes into hibernation until spring. Use a clear glass vase to highlight your favorite wintry greens, like boughs of holly or small branches of an evergreen tree. You can also fill a mason jar with water and cranberries to create a simple, vibrant centerpiece.
DIY ornaments. If your tree looks a little sparse, use items you already have on hand to craft your own holiday ornaments. Do you have a beloved piece of costume jewelry from a grandparent that’s not quite your style? Affix it to a piece of stiff wire, embellish the wire with small beads, and hang it from the tree. Want to breathe new life into worn cookie cutters? Glue colorful scrapbooking paper to the back and hang them from the tree.
Upcycle favorite pieces. Making your own ornaments isn’t the only way to upcycle things you already have. Instead of buying wrapping paper, swathe gifts in brown paper bags—but first, stamp them with a paint-covered doily to add fun and festive patterns. You could even upcycle recyclables into gifts. For instance, transform a tin can into a planter by stripping it of its label and replacing it with a festively printed fabric.

Nature-Inspired Christmas Decorations [Midwest Living]
20 Easy Handmade Holiday Ornaments and Decorations [HGTV]
19 Rustic Christmas Decorations Made Inexpensively From Upcycled Items [DIY Network]