20 Genius DIY Recycled and Repurposed Christmas Crafts

Plastic Bottle Penguins

Cute little penguins have become a Christmas staple, so here's an easy way to incorporate them into your festivities using empty plastic 2l bottles. Some glue and a bit of paint is all you need to add.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Viladoartesao

Cardboard Owls

What's cuter than a few owls sitting in your Christmas tree? These are so easy to make with a bit of leftover cardboard and little black beads for the eyes.

Available on – Cardboard Owl Duo / Nursery Decor

Tin Can Lanterns

When you're done with that soup or dog food tin, don't through it away! You can make beautiful lanterns to light up your home, dining table or garden. This tutorial shows how to make a star, heart and snowflake, but use your imagination to create whichever patterns you want – and feel free to paint the cans for added effect.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Nostalgiecat

Paper Snowflakes

Here's a little something to drum up the nostalgia – paper snowflakes like you used to make in school! You can hang each one on the tree individually, or even connect a few to make a garland to hang up elsewhere. If you're one for a bit of sparkle, add a bit of glitter or silver paint.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MakeItDo

Plastic Bottle Tree

With a 2l green plastic bottle (like 7Up for example) you can make a really cool, modern Christmas tree for your home in no time. It's pretty and a great way to keep your waste down. If you're not a fan of anything that comes in a green bottle, simply spray paint a clear one.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Krokotak

Bottle Cap Snowmen

When hubby is done with beer, collect his bottle caps to make these adorable snowmen. I like the idea of customizing them slightly to suit each of your children and hanging them on their doors – you can even get them to help with the crafting. If you don't have any metal bottle caps, use plastic caps instead.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – OneArtsyMama

Wine Cork Trees

For some reason I like to save up my wine corks as if I know one day I'll have a great use them. Today is that day! You can make adorable tree ornaments to hang on your actual tree, and if you really have a lot saved up like I do, make one massive tree as a home decoration. I actually love the rustic look you get from the cork's original color, but of course, you can paint them to suit your own style.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – PinkWhen

Clothespin Snowflake

I hate wooden clothespins because they seem to break a lot quicker than their plastic counterparts. Thanks to my hoarding tendencies, though, I never actually throw them away. Here's a quick and easy way to transform those unused pins into cute snowflakes to further Christmas-ify your home.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – LoeLaLoep

Christmas Card Garland

Have a ton of old Christmas cards that you've received over the years stacked in a drawer? Give them a new lease on life by making this beautiful multicolored garland that can drape around your tree or hang across the mantelpiece.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – PartyPlanningCenter

Christmas Card Star

If you're not keen on the garland but still want to do something with all those cards, print out the easy template to make this stunning themed star. It'll look incredible on top of your tree, or wherever else you decide to put it.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – JennyHarada