Every year, the magazines are full of snapshots of beautifully set Christmas tables. And the shops are full of everything you need to set the most beautiful table according to the latest trends. Massive amounts are bought, often all disposable items that end up back in the attic - or worse: in the dustbin - after the holidays. And next year we do it all over again, because there will be a new ‘trend’. And that is such a shame, because we don't need all that stuff at all. In this DIY, we show you how to make a zero waste sustainable Christmas table.
The sustainable Christmas table: the trend of 2024?
That cosily set table, along with the Christmas tree, the movie Home Alone and presents, is surely inseparable from the festive season. At least that is the picture that is painted. Although many people also increasingly opt for a alternative Christmas tree and thankfully many more good Christmas films have come along since Home Alone, that cosy Christmas table or holiday table is a tradition that remains. If you don't celebrate it so extensively at home, you will come across it at the children's school or at work. Not surprisingly, because the rest is just stuff. And it is at that cosy dining table that what counts and will always remain: being together.
Since lots of tables are dressed up with lots of disposable stuff every year, we want to give you some ideas and show you that it can be done differently. And guess what? You don't have to buy anything new to still make a nice table. Most things you probably already have around the house or You can find them at a thrift store for next to nothing. That way, you save a lot of money as well as the environment, always a nice bonus around the holidays, right? And perhaps the best part: by making some things yourself, you can create a whole. Nowhere in the world will there be a holiday table like yours this year!
Zero waste napkin made from an old piece of fabric.
Ideas for a zero waste Christmas table
Zero waste tablecloth
Decorating the Christmas table starts with the tablecloth, of course. You can buy it new or find an original one that will last for years. To do this, go to a thrift store to find a nice large fabric that you can use as a tablecloth. Tip: don't forget to look at the curtain fabrics. Through this action, I found a nice lace curtain there that I now use to cover the table. But even a pretty velvet curtain would not look out of place as a tablecloth during Christmas! Maybe you don't need to go out at all and you still have a nice sheet in the cupboard that you can use. Is your cloth not big enough? Then use several fabrics that match in colour. You can also make table runners from strips of fabric. Find your nearest thrift shop via the recycling app.
Zero waste placemats and coasters
A nice coaster can give that little bit extra. If you do find yourself in that thrift store: look for an old music book there. Remove the staple and you have nice big coasters. If you want to give the music paper a bit of a weathered ‘look’, you can do so by soaking the paper in coffee or strong black tea. Let it dry, iron the paper on a low setting and your music paper will look old and weathered.
An example of a set table without using anything new. We especially like the sheet music from the thrift store as a placement.
Also for the sustainable Christmas table: zero waste name tags and menu holders
A nice handwritten menu or name card looks very nice with the plate. You can easily make these from wine corks. Make a notch in the wine cork with a sharp knife. Here you can insert your menu and/or name card.
Zero waste napkin ring
A nice cloth napkin (you can also find excellent ones at the thrift store, by the way) looks instantly chic by using a napkin ring. You can easily make one from a toilet roll. Cut a toilet roll into three pieces and stick string around them. Use plain white craft glue for this. Attach a sprig of greenery and your napkin ring is ready!
Zero waste table decorations
Of course, it is also cool to have some pretty decorations on the table. You can make cute little pots with lights from empty glass jars. Cut a strip from music paper that fits exactly around a jar. Cut out a star or a heart from the centre. Stick the strip onto the jar. Tie a string around the top of the jar, add a sprig of greenery. Add a candle and your decoration is done! You can also tie a music paper around a stub candle with a piece of string (be careful not to let the candle burn beyond the paper). Put some jars together, add some green twigs and pine cones from the forest and it looks cosy right away.
Zero waste candle holders
Did you know that you can often find candles at the charity shop too? Use empty wine bottles to put your candles in, it looks romantic. Decorate with twigs of greenery, string and pine cones. You can also put the twigs inside the bottle for a nice effect.
Zero waste decorations for the sustainable Christmas table
Do you have leftover music paper? Then make flags out of the music paper! Also the cardboard houses, the fabric flowers or lanterns made from an old milk carton that we tipped earlier are super fun to get your room in the Christmas spirit. So you see that with a few simple things, you can create a very cosy Christmas table. We wish you a very cosy and sustainable Christmas!
Zero waste windlight made from a glass jar with sheet music from the thrift store.
More green holiday tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Looking for zero waste packing ideas? Then be sure to check out this article.
- Green Christmas? This is how to tackle party days sustainably!
- Team dessert? Check out this recipe for a quick vegan Christmas trifle.
- Are there durable fireworks? You can read it here.
Photo credits: Melanie De Oliveira.
