Simple Ideas for a Homemade Christmas

Our favourite simple ideas for a homemade Christmas, featuring nostalgic decorations, edible gifts, cozy eats and much more.

“Craft makes our homes more human.” ~ Ilse Crawford, designer.

Dear Readers. Here at the most wonderful time of the year, I invite you to join me for a handmade holiday season.

I can’t be the only one aware of the glaring consumerism that surrounds this time of year. In an attempt to paddle upstream, I’m sharing a few simple ideas for a homemade Christmas that we love to bring back each year.

A few small disclaimers: this is not an exhaustive list of all holiday crafts, that’s what Pinterest is for. Also these ideas lean heavily towards the culinary. No surprise there.

Less Consumerism; More Creativity

Has anyone else watched Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy on Netflix? While the format of the film was a little strange, the overall message is sobering and enlightening.

In short, brands use hidden tactics to keep consumers in a cycle of buying, which has Extremely Negative Consequences for the environment and people. Buy Now is a MUST watch because it’s vital to be informed about the impact that our shopping habits have on the environment.

Much like my approach to a zero waste kitchen, my simple ideas for a homemade Christmas in this post have the goal of progress not perfection. Yes, I’m going to buy a few gifts, like my favourite cookbooks of 2024, and I’ll support local artisans, but I plan to eliminate impulse buys.

The goal is a little less packaging and a lot more handmade. Less big box shopping, more thrifting or vintage gifts, local craft markets and homemade decorations.

Read on for the many benefits of a homemade Christmas, homemade holiday decor, simple table decor, DIY gifts and my suggestions for festive food and drink.

Benefits of a Homemade Christmas

Making Memories

My 9-year old nephew is spending some time in the kitchen with me this weekend. We’re going to put on Christmas music and get crafty making salt dough ornaments for our tree. Carving out time for loved ones, where we connect over a craft or baking project, makes for special memories that last a lifetime.

Slowing Down

Let’s face it, baking shortbread, painting ornaments, making a wreath…this all takes more time than a single click Amazon purchase. But in doing so, you are slowing down, unplugging and engaging in something literal. There’s a lot to be said for using your hands to create something meaningful in this digital age.

Saving Money

“Sis, can you bring me some hemlock boughs and some of those huge pinecones ?” My sister lives on a hundred-acre farm now and foraging decorating supplies from nature just got easier for me! Simple, all-natural decor is my favourite; Scandinavian style: very hygge, and very frugal.

Upcyling

Thrifted or vintage items can have a second life with a little creativity. Linen, tins, jars, doilys, teacups – this is just a sample of items that can be upcycled into gifts, crafts, ornaments or decorations.

I’m obsessed with this Vintage Bobbin Christmas Garland from the brilliant Michael at Inspired by Charm. Using vintage spools and colourful beads he designed a holiday decoration that blends nostalgic charm with personal style and can last for years to come.

Ideas for Homemade Holiday Decor

Have you seen the social media trend of folks poking fun the ridiculous wacky items for sale in their local home goods stores? There’s a really good point being made here, amidst all the laughs. Sadly, this (mostly plastic) crap is just going to end up washed up on a beach halfway around the world.

Here are some ideas for homemade holiday decor that’s more eco-friendly.

Homemade Ornaments & Garlands

I keep things quite simple with dried clementine garlands and decorated gingerbread ornaments, plus a small collection of vintage decorations that, yep, are mostly thrifted.

Pinterest is your friend when it comes to inspiration for more elaborate homemade ornaments and garlands. The creativity and talent out there is mind blowing.

Gingerbread Ornaments

Use my recipe for Rolled Gingerbread, and use a straw to press a little hole in the top for the string. Bake as usual. Cool completely. Decorate if desired and hang with string. Really simple, cute and they smell delicious!

Dried Citrus Garlands

An easy DIY decoration that is fun to make with kids. Use any citrus you have; I like small clementines. Slice thinly with a serrated knife and place closely on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Dry in a 200F oven for several hours until dehydrated.

Sometimes I’ll alternate the oranges with cinnamon sticks, whole star anise or dried cranberries for a whole new look. Make the garland your own and have fun.

More Ornaments: I’m loving the fairy-core Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments from Lauren of Must Love Herbs. And for many more ideas, visit Lemon Thistle for 13 DIY Christmas Ornaments; the beaded tassel ornaments are my favourite.

Ideas for Simple Table Decor

In our home, much of the joyous holiday season is spent around the family table. There are brunches and Christmas tea, casual game nights and fancy dinner parties. And I love to set a pretty table.

A dark tablecloth, a simple runner and fresh boughs down the center is a visual win every time. Add in tea lights or string lights, a few festive fruits and neutral plates and you’ve set a gorgeous holiday tablescape.

Spiced Orange Pomanders

I’ve been making these old fashioned air fresheners since I was a kid. They’re an easy DIY craft that you can make with the kids. He’re my step-by-step tutorial for Spiced Orange Pomanders.

I turn them into a centrepiece for the table or hang them from a wreath. They smell incredible and keep for ages. I once discovered a stray pomander lost in a box of ornaments a whole year later, and it was perfectly dried and intact. I hung it on the tree. (pictured below)

Frugal Tip: buy whole cloves at Bulk Barn or your local bulk foods store.

An All-Natural Dinner Tablescape

My Christmas Tablescape: natural and neutral – From the Simple Bites archives comes my all-natural, upcyled holiday tablescape. I raided the pantry for jam jars, the piano bench for sheet music, and the forest behind the house for natural decorations. I still love how it turned out, charming and mismatched, but very memorable.

For the Outdoors

DIY Pinecone Wreath – Who knew it was so simple to make a festive pinecone wreath? Not me. Love this YouTube tutorial from Nik at Weekend at the Cottage.

Homemade Christmas with the Kids

Gingerbread House

Nothing brings the magic of Christmas alive like a REAL, from scratch, gingerbread house. Fortunately, I’ve got the tutorial you need, broken down into simple steps!

We kept young kids in mind when we created The After School Gingerbread Project. Five simple steps; years of precious memories. Come for the gingerbread tutorial; stay for the outtakes.

Homemade Wrapping Paper

I like to use old sheet music or just simple brown paper. You can make potato prints or fruit prints with kids for a fun DIY project, or paint directly on the brown paper.

Homemade Christmas Cards

This is an annual tradition for my daughter Clara and I. We love using watercolours, and generally freestyle it, like this festive beet I painted for my local farmer.

A Christmas Tea Party

In the post I share hospitality tips and special recipes for hosting a festive Christmas tea party and creating a cozy memory with friends. >> Christmas Tea Party Ideas

Homemade Edible Gifts

As a family, we’re leaning into experience gifts or vintage/thrifted (vinyl, jewelry, books) presents, as well as handmade gifts. This shows thought and care, as well as an eco-conscious awareness that our Gen Z children hold us accountable for.

In this post I’m covering edible gifts, which is my area of expertise! For anything outside of that, I defer to local crafters at local craft shows for small gifts of candles, pottery, jewelry, woodwork and much more.

Homemade Cookies

If you don’t know where to start but want to gift something from the kitchen, I suggest cookies. They are loved by all, not a huge time investment, and would brighten anyones day.

Get the recipes: A Holiday Cookie Recipe Round-Up

The Edible Gifts Round-Up

This post is for once you’re ready to move on from cookies. From savoury to sweet, there’s a recipe in this line-up for every home cook, plus tips for eco-friendly packaging, too.

Read the post: Simple Homemade Edible Gift Ideas

Shortbread Four Ways

Simple Bites readers have been making these shortbread for 15 years. Tuck them into a thrifted cookie tin and give them away to make someones day.

Get the Recipe: Simple Shortbread: One Recipe, Four Cookies

Best Homemade Eats and Drinks for the Holidays

This is a whole post unto itself; however, I’m highlighting a few special favourites that I love to bring back every December.

The 12 Days of Holiday Baking Projects

Let’s go! I’ve got ideas here for the dedicated baker who wants a challenge to the busy parent who just needs a quick recipe for the school bake sale. Family favourites, tried and true, these recipes are the heart of Christmas.

Get all the recipes! The 12 Days of Holiday Baking Projects

Softest Cinnamon Rolls

I’ve recently shared the ULTIMATE recipe for Christmas morning. My kids would stage a walkout if these were not on the table on the 25th. I make mine ahead and freezer them, and you should too. Recipe can easily be doubled and trippled.

Get the recipe: Softest Cinnamon Rolls

Winter Sangria

I have two recipes for festive winter sangria and both are fabulous. It’s an excellent beverage to serve guest over the holidays because it uses what you have on hand, is endlessly customizable, and can be made in advance. Cheers to zero waste!

• Blushing Cranberry White Wine Sangria
• Winter Sangria with Citrus and Pomegranate

Host a Cookie Swap

Special memories, an assortment of cookies and time with friends – a cookie swap is the best event of the season! I’ve got Tips for Hosting a Holiday Cookie Swap.

DIY Edible Garnishes for Desserts

Pretty garnishes presented on desserts are more than just the finishing touch. They show that love and care has gone into a baking creation, and they entice us to reach for them on the sweet table.

Read the post: How to make pretty garnishes for holiday dessert

Happy Holidays!

If you’re still here, thanks for reading. I hope you found an idea you love and have a beautiful, homemade Christmas. Share what you made in the comments or tag me on Instagram.