Instead of splurging on lots of cheap Christmas decorations, be kind to your pocket (and the planet) this year, and make your own.  Here are some ideas:

1. Gingerbread decorations:  All you need for this are a gingerbread recipe, the ingredients and a set of Christmas cookie cutters (that you’ll be able to use year in and year out).

2. Popcorn and cranberries: String popcorn and cranberries onto strong cotton thread with a needle for festive strings to wrap around the tree.

3. Natural finds: Pine cones, oranges, holly and ivy, mistletoe, even sea shells, can be incorporated into your Christmas decorations.  Attach some glittery thread to the pine cones to hang them in the tree, or spray them gold and put them in your fireplace (if you’re not using it).  Oranges smell great drying in the oven (cut them about 1cm thick and dry them in the oven with the door open at a very low temperature) and look great hanging from the tree.  Holly and ivy can be fashioned into wreathes, or simply draped over picture frames and mantelpieces.  Sea shells can be sprayed gold and used in table centre-pieces.

Making Christmas decorations is a great craft project for children.

Photo credit: chellinsky