The most festive time of year is upon us, which means it’s time to set out colorful trimmings that embrace the holiday spirit.

For many people, though, decorating involves either investing money in new seasonal products (during an already expensive season) or unboxing well-worn holiday staples that may not have aged so gracefully.

Why not take a leap this year instead and throw your festive spirit into some unexpected and creative DIY decor? When you make your own crafts, you can save a good chunk of money while minimizing the amount of wasteful packaging you throw away. In addition, DIY decor stimulates your creativity and encourages you to step outside the box with your seasonal style. Check out these fun and rewarding holiday crafts you can easily make with loved ones.

Creative Christmas “trees”

Save a tree—and the energy required to produce an artificial one. The Christmas tree silhouette is so recognizable that you can stack just about anything into its shape to create the same festive vibe. For example, paint egg cartons, bottle corks, or cereal boxes in holiday colors like red, green, and gold, and stack them into a pyramid. Apply some glue for extra stability, then tack on decor like cotton “snowballs” and ribbons made of strips of fabric cut from old clothing or linens.

You can also arrange the books on your shelves in a tree-like, cascading triangle shape, hanging ornaments off the spines and topping it all off with a star. For a rustic tree silhouette, scour your yard for craft materials. Arrange long twigs into a triangular shape, attach them with a strip of twine, and glue on natural debris like acorns, nuts, and leaves. To finish, simply tie the twine to a hook at the top and hang it on a wall.

Ribbon garland

Instead of using the typical green or tinsel garland, craft a chain of surprising and whimsical shapes into original pieces to drape on your walls, banisters, or tree.

Materials:

• Unwanted paper, plastic, Styrofoam, and other lightweight materials
• Acrylic paint in holiday colors
• A hammer and nail
• Thin, sturdy rope
• A large paintbrush

Directions:

1. Collect recyclables about the size of your hand, or cut other materials like cardboard to the appropriate size. Cut the edges or smooth out the materials so they lie flat.
2.  Arrange them on some newspaper or a tablecloth.
3. Dispense the paint onto a palette or plate. Dip the paintbrush in water, shaking off the excess, and then in the paint. Apply to one side of the materials in whatever design you’d like.
4. Let the pieces dry. (This can take up to two hours.) Flip them over, and paint the other sides, being sure to also cover any thick edges.
5. Once dry, puncture the center of each piece with the nail.
6. Tie one end of the rope with a stopper knot. Slip the materials onto the rope, alternating colors however you’d like.
7. Once you’ve filled up the garland, cut off any excess rope, leaving a few inches of slack. Tie off the free end with another stopper knot.
8. Find a spot to show off your new garland.

Seasonal planters

Display winter beauties like poinsettias and Norfolk pines in festive DIY planters. Start by cleaning out objects like tin cans and paper cups. With a hammer and nail, carefully puncture a few drain holes in the bottom of each, then decorate them using materials like paint, stencils, scrapbook paper, or papier-mâché. Once they’re dry, fill the bottom of each “pot” with a layer of pebbles, add some potting soil, and drop in your holiday plant of choice.

Sleeve stockings

Who says stockings have to be shaped like a giant foot? Cut off the sleeve of an unwanted shirt, jacket, or sweater, then sew the smaller end shut. Decorate the top end with a cuff of patterned fabric using a needle and thread or a hot-glue gun. You can even make “stockings” from the pockets of unwanted jeans and pants. Sites like Pinterest have plenty of images to inspire your project.

Decorating shouldn’t have to break the bank. This year, save money and other resources with DIY holiday decor. Try some of these quick crafts with your family and friends for fun bonding events—and some impressive decor to show for it.