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Don’t toss those cards: Easy ways to upcycle Christmas cards
Every year after the holidays, I find myself with a small stack of Christmas cards that feel way too nice to throw away. If you’ve ever felt the same, learning how to upcycle Christmas cards is such a simple (and satisfying) solution. With their thick paper, beautiful artwork, and thoughtful messages, Christmas cards are perfect for turning into handmade decorations, gift tags, and keepsakes—allowing for them to be enjoyed long after the tree comes down! Why upcycle Christmas cards? Reusing Christmas cards makes sense on multiple levels. From a sustainability standpoint, paper waste is common over during the holidays. While recycling helps, reuse is even better—it conserves resources and keeps…
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DIY Ugly Christmas sweater: Upcycle an old sweater into a holiday classic
Ugly Christmas sweaters have become a holiday staple — bright, goofy, quirky, and proudly over-the-top. But as fun as they are, most people wear them only once or twice before tossing them in the back of the closet… or worse, into the trash. That’s where things get a little less festive. Textile waste is a huge worldwide problem, and novelty garments like holiday sweaters quietly contribute to it every year. Instead of buying another fast-fashion sweater destined for a landfill, the eco-friendly solution is surprisingly fun: make your own. Last year, feeling frugal, my daughter and I created a DIY sweater for her ‘Red, Green, and Bling’ spirit day at…
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5 Eco-friendly Christmas crafts: Upcycled decorations using cardboard
Eco-friendly Christmas crafts make this season of consumption feel more less wasteful and more meaningful. By using materials like cardboard, paper bags, and paper tubes, we can create handmade decorations that are both sustainable and full of charm! Making your own decorations from discarded items around the house is an easy, affordable way to celebrate the holidays while reducing waste and adding something uniquely personal to your home. Whether you’re decorating your home, crafting with kids, or looking to reduce your holiday footprint, these projects bring creativity and sustainability together. Looking for more fun activities to do with kids? Check out past posts here! Why craft with cardboard, paper bags,…
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COP30: Why the climate summit matters for our future
I was a bit taken aback this week when I started seeing headlines about COP30 suggesting that global consensus on climate action may have failed. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the world may not stay within the 1.5°C limit scientists say is essential to avoid the worst effects of climate change. That realization is disheartening. When major nations may not be aligned on how move forward and we’re seeing the effects in our planet’s natural systems, it’s easy to wonder: what can the rest of us do? And is there still hope that we’ll leave behind a livable planet for our children and grandchildren? As part of understanding the commentary…
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3 ways a sustainable Halloween can inspire eco-habits
Something wicked (and wasteful) this way comes! From single-use costumes that vanish faster than a ghost at dawn to plastic decorations that linger like a bad haunting, Halloween’s environmental impact can be downright terrifying. But what if this year’s spooky season became the start of something magical instead? Imagine turning your Halloween choices — from costumes to candy — into lasting, sustainable habits that outlive October 31st. As we creep closer to the most haunting night of the year, this post will conjure up simple, eco-friendly tricks to help you celebrate a sustainable Halloween — and maybe even inspire a greener lifestyle all year long. 1. Sustainable Halloween costumes Fast…
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Project DIY: Macramé Plant Hanger
We love a good DIY project! It’s not just fun — it’s a meaningful way to create something beautiful without breaking the bank or hurting the planet. This macramé plant hanger is perfect for gifting: made from simple yarn or macramé twine and an upcycled container, it’s budget-friendly, eco-friendly, and a great gift for the plant lovers in your life! I had intended this project as a follow up to the beautiful glass container I shared about in this post, but unfortunately, the container fell and broke as I was trying to tie the bottom of the plant hanger. Lesson learned: use a less breakable item for this step in…
