Holi, a vibrant festival of colours, is celebrated with immense joy and enthusiasm across the length and breadth of India and in various parts of the world. As beautiful as they may seem, the festivities affect the environment in ways we might not be aware of, having adverse effects on the environment around us and our health too. It’s never too late to bring about changes in how we celebrate these festivals. It’s equally important to be mindful of the environment around you and promote sustainable means of celebrating these festivals. In this article, we’ll delve into ten innovative Holi decor ideas that utilise recycled materials. These ideas will not only infuse a festive aura into your home but also contribute towards reducing waste, making your celebration doubly joyous.
See also: DIY Holi decoration ideas
15 eco-friendly holi decor ideas using recycled materials
Eco friendly colours
Colours made from flour dyed with beetroot, spinach and turmeric are known to be not just safe for skin but a great alternative to the highly chemical infused colours that are sold in the market, these are not only environment friendly but pet, children and pocket friendly too.
Bottle lanterns
Unleash the charm of old glass bottles by converting them into lanterns. Paint them with bright, vibrant colours to mirror the essence of Holi. Fill them up with twinkling fairy lights to create an alluring glow, transforming your space into a festive spectacle.
DIY rangoli stencils
Instead of spending money on new rangoli stencils, you can create your own customised ones at home. Utilise old cardboard boxes to make these stencils, adding a personalised touch to your Holi decorations.
Paper garlands
Use old newspapers or magazines to make eco-friendly garlands. Cut the papers into different shapes, colour them if you desire and string them together to form beautiful garlands. Drape them around your home for a festive look.
Fabric bunting
Don’t let leftover fabric scraps go to waste. Use these pieces to create a festive bunting. You can cut them into triangles or other shapes, attach them to a string and your colourful bunting is ready to adorn your walls or windows.
Recycled wall art
Turn your old CDs into stunning pieces of wall art. Paint them with Holi colours, arrange them creatively on your wall and behold your very own recycled mural that adds a pop of colour to your space.
Repurposed flower pots
Give your old terracotta pots a colourful makeover. Paint them with Holi colours and use them to display your favourite flowers or to hold sweets during the festival.
Cardboard cut-outs
Use cardboard to create cut-outs of Holi-related images like ‘pichkaris’ or ‘gulal’. Paint these cut-outs and hang them on your walls or doors for a festive feel.
Pallet wood signage
Repurpose your old wooden pallets by painting them and using them as festive signage. You can write Holi wishes or quotes on them to spread positivity and festive cheer.
Paper mache bowls
Old newspapers can be transformed into useful paper mache bowls. These bowls can be used to hold ‘gulal’ or snacks, adding a traditional touch to your Holi celebrations.
Tin can lanterns
Transform your old tin cans into unique lanterns. Punch holes into the cans to create beautiful patterns, place a candle inside and watch as the light dances through the holes, creating a magical effect.
Cereal box organisers
Instead of discarding your old cereal boxes, wrap them in leftover wrapping paper and transform them into handy organisers or snack holders for your Holi party. Add a festive flair by decorating them with colourful ribbons or stickers.
Egg carton flower lights
Egg cartons can be given a second life as beautiful flower lights. Cut and paint the egg cartons to resemble flowers, attach them to a string of lights and create an enchanting light decoration that’s perfect for a night-time Holi celebration.
Recycled paper streamers
If you have old paper bags or newspapers lying around, use them to make eco-friendly streamers. Cut the paper into strips, curl them using a pair of scissors and hang them around your home or garden to add a festive touch.
Mason jar candle holders
Mason jars can be used to create charming candle holders. Fill them with sand or pebbles for stability, place a candle inside and decorate the outside of the jar with paint or ribbons to match your Holi theme.
FAQs
Yes, absolutely! Most of these decor items are designed to be durable and can indeed be stored and reused for other festivals, thereby extending their life and utility.
Absolutely! Involving children in creating these decor items is a wonderful way to engage them in the Holi preparations. Participating can be an enjoyable and educational opportunity for them. However, adult supervision is advised for certain activities such as cutting or painting to ensure their safety.
Yes, by all means! Feel free to use any recycled materials you have at hand. The key is to unleash your creativity and find new, innovative uses for items that would otherwise be discarded. Every small step counts in our journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle.
Yes, most of these decor ideas can be used both indoors and outdoors. However, for outdoor decor, ensure they are secure and resistant to wind or light rain if weather might be a factor.
The time it takes will depend on the specific decor item and your crafting speed. However, most of these ideas can be completed within a couple of hours.
Most of these decor items can be created using common household tools such as scissors, glue and paint. For certain items, like the tin can lanterns, you may need a hammer and nails to create the holes.
Absolutely! Feel free to add your own personal touches to these decor items. You can choose different colours, add glitter, or even incorporate other materials. The possibilities are endless! Can these decor items be stored and reused for other festivals?
Can children participate in creating these decor items?
Can I use other recycled materials not mentioned in the article?
Are these decor ideas suitable for both indoor and outdoor use?
How long will it take to create these decor items?
Do I need special tools to create these decor items?
Can these decor items be customised?
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
