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DIY Burlap Bow + Thrifted Christmas Decorations

eco-friendly Christmas decor tips

I been thrifting, I been thrifting! *Beyoncé voice* I found so many perfect decorations for my “rustic + gold Christmas” in my quest to create an Alternative Christmas Tree (i.e. not spending money/resources on a live or manufactured tree & getting über creative with my take on it – let me be a rebel haha). Check out this easy way to make your own holiday bows using fabric or a wide width ribbon. I used burlap fabric cut at about 6″-8″ wide here.

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Eco-Friendly Holiday - DIY Burlap Bow - Christmas Decor

Materials:

– 4 yards of ribbon or fabric

– pipe cleaners

Burlap Bow 1
To create the body of the bow, use 2 yards of the fabric or ribbon. Fold it back and forth, leaving about 2″ of fabric more on each side as you go. Pinch in the center and secure. I used shiny pipe cleaners to secure this. Obviously the best way, right?

 

peep this visual. Make it look like this snake.
peep this visual. Fold it to look like this snake in profile.

 

Burlap Bow 2
cut a 20″ long strip of your fabric to make the tail ends of the bow. Cinch in the center by tying a few inches of pipe cleaner around it.

 

next tutorial. Fold your tail in half (along blue dotted lines), cut along the angled line (in the red area) on both ends, and voila! Fancy tail.
next tutorial. Fold your tail in half (along blue dotted lines), cut along the angled line (in the red area) on both ends, and voila! Fancy tail.

 

Burlap Bow 3
secure the tail to the body of the bow with a pipe cleaner

 

it is done. You can leave the pipe cleaner exposed like this one
it is done. You can leave the pipe cleaner exposed like this one…

 

Burlap Bow 5
… or you can cover the center with a small piece of burlap around the center. I secured mine with needle and thread (the hot glue gun didn’t work well for me). You can even go as easy as using a safety pin. Get crafty!  I frayed the edges to go along with my “rustic” look

Thrifted Christmas Decorations & The Alternative Tree

All of the supplies I used to decorate for Christmas were purchased at thrift and antique stores, Home Depot, JoAnn’s and Dollar Tree.

When you go thrifting and thrifting and thrifting and find all of the great things you need to decorate for Christmas!
When you go thrifting and thrifting and thrifting and find all of the great things you need to decorate for Christmas!  Cards, and tree skirts, and garlands, OH MY!  Everything pictured here was found at thrift and antique stores.

 

Thrifted Christmas Decorations
The lights are more sustainable than traditional string lights – Martha Stewart Living LED lights last longer and use less energy

 

I created my own garland by bunching up hand-painted burlap and using garland with wire from the Dollar Tree
I created my own garland by bunching up hand-painted burlap and using garland with wire from the Dollar Tree

 

Christmas Cards!! =)
Christmas Cards!! =)

 

The Alternative Christmas Tree 2014 - This one is made from an old 2x4 and a piece that served as support for a table leaf, both found at Uncommon Goods in Dallas.
The Alternative Christmas Tree 2014 – This one is made from an old 2×4 and a piece that served as support for a table leaf, both found at Uncommon Goods in Dallas.  Trees and sleigh thrifted, battery operated candles from the Dollar Tree.  Angels hanging from ceiling are repurposed napkin rings.  For “gift wrapping” I purchased bags that can be used after the gift is out, and reused gift bags that I’d received at different events I’ve attended. This is a great alternative to wrapping paper if you are only gifting a few items.

 

Christmas 7
thrifted spiral metal ornaments and angel napkin ring – turned ornament. Flowers from a JoAnn’s sale on Christmas things (40% or 50% off woot woot)

 

Just look at those
Just look at those beautiful LED lights =)  Makes my heart happy and the atmosphere cleaner!

 

Another Uncommon Goods piece.
Another Uncommon Goods piece.  They have a lot of architectural pieces that are beautifully in-tact that can be used to create new things.

 

Christmas Christmas 6
Show stopper, Tree topper. Burlap bow and a thrifty little angel.

 

There was also some Beyoncé 7/11 birthday behavior on my IG featuring the Alternative Christmas Tree. But that's neither here nor there (it's a must see hahaha - follow me! @oldworldnewgirl)
There was also some Beyoncé 7/11 birthday behavior on my IG featuring the Alternative Christmas Tree. But that’s neither here nor there (it’s a must see hahaha – follow me! @oldworldnewgirl)

Did y’all get crafty or keep it traditional with your Christmas decorations?  Leave a link showing me yours, I’d love to see them!

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  7. Ive been thrifting, Ive been thrifting-FUNNY! I love your creativity and the green with the gold looks beautiful! Not to mention your 2016 pic-awesome!

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  8. How cute is your tree?! I love it!!! All of your decorations are nice! You can always find cute, decorative items for the holidays from the thrift store. Oh, I love how you had your own 7/11 “shoot” for your birthday! That’s the way you do it!!!

    Reply