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The holiday season is here, and with it comes the twinkling lights, giant and small Christmas trees, beautiful decorations and ornaments, and a dash of creativity. Decorating for Christmas can be a financial drain. The good news is that you do not need to break the bank. There are plenty of budget-friendly ways to deck the halls and spread some Christmas cheer.
With some DIY spirit and a sprinkle of imagination, you can brighten your holiday without spending so much. For Black families in the diaspora, Christmas is also an opportunity to honor cultural heritage and infuse a bit of “home” into festive decorations.
It’s time to ditch the expensive store-bought stuff and embrace the joy of DIY holiday decor. Ready to create a gorgeous and inviting Christmas home? We’ve got you covered with these budget-friendly ideas for a festive holiday season.
Festive Garlands
Want to personalize your Christmas decor? Garlands are the perfect solution as they offer endless possibilities. You can mix and match them, change the colors, or even create your unique designs. The good news is that you probably have everything you need at home. Here are some you can try this festive season.
Beaded garland: Beadwork is a beautiful and traditional craft in many African cultures. You can make a unique garland with beads. Stringing vintage glass beads onto wire makes for an intriguing garland display.
Photo source: Instagram / sweethomehomeware
Paper chains: Cut colorful paper into strips and glue or tape them into loops.
Popcorn & cranberry garland: Thread popcorn and cranberries onto a string for a rustic touch.
Scrap fabric tassels: Cut old fabrics into strips and tie them along a twine for a shabby-chic vibe.
Gum drop garland: Kids can join in for this simple Christmas decorating idea. For a fun and easy craft, choose soft candies like gumdrops or jelly beans. Thread them onto a piece of string using a needle. Alternate colors, like red and green give your house that festive look.
Easy Christmas Wreaths
Your front door is the first impression, so give it the star treatment it deserves with a show-stopping wreath. Here are some easy DIY Christmas wreath ideas to deck the halls with African flair!
Natural materials: You can create charming miniature wreaths with colorful leaves, dried flowers, feathers, and twigs gathered from your backyard to mimic the look of savanna landscapes. Wrap or glue the sprigs around an embroidery hoop and secure them with wire or twine. Finish by tying a vibrant red ribbon around the hoop for a festive touch.
Ankara fabric wreaths: Transform Ankara fabric into stunning wreaths. You can use a wire wreath form as a base and wrap it with the fabric. Add ribbons, bells, or other decorations to personalize your wreath. You can also attach cut-out letters spelling “Joy,” “Unity,” or “Family” in your language of choice for a meaningful touch.
Photo source: Instagram / evelyncreation
Gift bow wreath: Save your gift wrap bows for a fun DIY project. Transform them into a stunning wreath that will add a touch of holiday cheer to your home.
When it comes to crafts popsicle sticks are always great to have on hand. Get popsicle sticks in various shades of green or paint them yourself. Glue them together into a wreath form. Use a red ribbon to tie them together for a festive look.
African-Inspired Christmas Ornaments
Instead of store-bought decorations, you can create your unique ornaments that celebrate African culture.
Fabric Scraps/balls: Use Ankara, kente, or dashiki fabric to cover foam balls, tying them with twine or ribbon. You can also cut out circles of Dashiki fabric and sew them together to form a ball shape.
Photo source: NubianOrnaments
Cut out shapes: Use Kente, dashiki, or other African fabrics to cut out shapes like stars, hearts, or triangles and decorate them with beads or sequins.
Cowrie shells and beads: Glue these onto small wooden shapes for a natural and cultural look.
Mini drums and masks: Craft mini versions of African drums and masks from cardboard or clay for a unique touch.
Light-Up Wine Bottles
Turn empty wine bottles into glowing holiday centerpieces. This is an easy craft to make. You will need empty wine bottles and battery-operated string lights. Insert the lights into the bottle, and let the cord hang out the top. Place it on your mantel or table for a magical glow. You can also use stencils to paint African tribal designs onto the bottles for a unique touch.
Photo Source: Facebook / Needle craft
Snow Globes
You can make these easy DIY snow globes with jars, glitter, glue, and water in under 10 minutes.
Attach mini figurines to the inside of the mason jar lid and let the glue dry. Fill the jar with water and add a generous amount of glitter. Add a drop of glycerin to slow the glitter’s descent for a more mesmerizing effect. Place your figurine pieces inside the snow globe. Screw the lid on tightly, flip the jar, and there you have it – instant winter magic!
Paper Snowflakes
If you are dreaming of a white Christmas and want to turn your home into a winter wonderland this season, simple snowflake DIY decorations are the way to go. You can bring the spirit of winter and African creativity together. All you need is a square piece of paper and sharp scissors.
Instead of traditional snowflake patterns, you can opt for geometric shapes inspired by African art and create a flurry of snowflakes that will turn your home into a makeshift winter wonderland.
Christmas Trees with a Cultural Twist
When it comes to decorating for the holidays, the Christmas tree is a cherished tradition, and for Blacks in the diaspora, it can also be an opportunity to blend cultural heritage with festive cheer. Instead of sticking to traditional trees, why not try unique DIY options that can be fun for the whole family and also reflect your roots and tell your story?
Pallet tree with African Art: For a modern and minimalist vibe, build a tree using wooden pallets and decorate it with African-themed accents. Hang mini masks, woven ornaments, or handmade African jewelry as decorations.
Photo source: Facebook / Happy Garden/ Gail Devine
Beaded calabash tree: Arrange small calabashes in a pyramid shape, securing them with glue or string. Decorate the calabashes with African beads, paint, or carvings. Enhance the festive atmosphere with twinkling fairy lights.
Photo Christmas tree: Celebrate your family’s history with a photo Christmas tree. It’s a beautiful and sentimental way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor.
Woven basket tree: Craft a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree using woven African baskets. All you have to do is stack baskets of varying sizes in a tree formation. Get creative with your baskets by filling them with ornaments, lights, and greenery to create a stunning holiday display. Use a large basket as the base to give it height and stability.
Whether you’re crafting ornaments, decorating your table, or lighting up your yard, remember that the most important thing is to have fun and express your creativity this festive season.
