Simple eco-friendly Christmas tree decorations you can make at the last minute

Do you like natural, minimalist Christmas decorations? String, a stick, a pine cone, a button, wire, cork—just a few things you can find on hand at home, a little paint, and you're good to go. Check out our ideas for eco-friendly Christmas tree decorations you can make with your kids, even at the last minute.

• pine cones
• egg carton
• pompoms or wooden beads
• a stick or a cinnamon stick
• paints
• floral wire

1. How to make eco-friendly Christmas tree decorations - gnomes made of pine cones and cardboard

To make Christmas gnomes, you'll need any pine cones. In our case, we used long spruce cones that we painted white. These will be the gnomes' long, white beards. Next, we move on to the gnome's hat, which we'll make from an egg carton. We cut out the pointiest pyramids from the carton, then paint them red and wait for them to dry. Before attaching them to the pine cone, we need to poke a wire through the top of the hat and shape it into a pendant shape. You can also use wire or small scissors to make a hole, and then thread regular string or ribbon through. Finally, use glue or hot glue to attach the hat to the pine cone, along with a red pompom or bead for the nose. It's best to attach the nose as close to the hat as possible. And you're done!

1. Eco decoration - toadstool made of pomace and cinnamon

Another suggestion is a charming toadstool made from an egg carton. To make it, all you need is a carton and a cinnamon stick or small stick. As before, cut out a pointed pyramid from the carton. This time, it will serve as the toadstool's hat. Paint the cut-out carton red and then add white dots. Then, as with the gnomes, add a wire or other pendant.Now it's time for the toadstool's leg. We can make it from a thicker stick or, for example, a birch branch; then no painting is necessary. We had cinnamon sticks on hand, which also work great and are the right length. Simply paint them white. Finally, glue the leg to the hat or secure it with modeling clay or mounting compound. And our charming toadstool is ready to hang on the Christmas tree.

3. Eco-friendly Christmas tree decorations - Christmas tree made from egg cartons

The final suggestion for a simple eco-friendly ornament is a Christmas tree, which is made very similarly to a toadstool. This time, you'll need two pieces of die-cut molding and a stick or cinnamon stick. Paint the die-cut molding green, add some white snowflake or yellow stars. Once everything is dry, glue them together. Place one die-cut cap on top of the other. To create a little more space between them, it's a good idea to put some modeling clay inside. Add a cinnamon stick, and you're done. Time to decorate your Christmas tree!