book that’s all about using less, spend- ing less and enjoying family time more. She details a whole new perspective: how to turn recycled chandelier gems into Christmas tree icicles; eggshells and teabags into vintage-style ornaments; and old sweaters into festive wreaths.
Waste Not, Want Not Such simple pleasures can make a major environmental impact. During the holidays, household waste gener- ally increases by 25 percent—an extra 1 million tons of garbage across the country—according to the U.S. Envi- ronmental Protection Agency. Holiday craft projects can trans-
form much of this “waste” by making the most of its decorative potential. Shellie Wilson, the founder of Craftbits. com, a site that provides thousands of free, do-it-yourself craft ideas, says she and her mother Rita are craft hoard- ers. “We never throw anything out that we think can be turned into something wonderful,” comments Wilson. Her favorites include a T-shirt pillow that maintains the shirt’s shape and a no- sew baby overalls purse, using glue in place of thread.
Instructables.com is the kind of
user-submitted, DIY, bake it, fix it and tweak it website that invites hours of surfing. Developed at the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology, it has become a massive platform for idea sharing, including a page called “Have a DIY Christmas!” that organizes ideas by category. Options range from origami ball decorations and a home- made book clock to gift boxes and tags made from cereal boxes and junk mail. “With the state of the economy lately, people are looking for more ways to stretch their budgets and repurpose used objects,” remarks Sarah James, editor of Instructables’ Living and Food website sections.
Along with the benefits of mini-
mizing waste, spending less money and reclaiming quality time with loved ones, making our own gifts and decora- tions is also fun. The process of discov- ering, attempting and creating can help unlock our inner artist at any age.
Brita Belli is the editor of E – The Environmental Magazine.
December 2010 17
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