Old ornaments, whether broken or outdated, deserve a second chance to shine. With a touch of creativity, these holiday treasures can transform into charming decor, from dazzling centerpieces to whimsical wreaths.
Why toss them when they can bring fresh festive flair and cherished memories to your home? Here are six inspired ways to repurpose your old ornaments this holiday season.
1. Remaking Ornaments into Centerpieces
One of the simplest ways to breathe new life into old ornaments is by using them as eye-catching centerpieces. Gather a mix of vintage or colorful ornaments and place them in a decorative bowl or a glass vase.
This arrangement not only serves as a beautiful focal point for your dining table but also sparks conversations about family traditions and memories associated with those ornaments.
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You can also create a holiday centerpiece by arranging ornaments on a cake stand or within a three-tiered tray. Mixing different sizes, shapes, and colors will add depth and interest to your display, making it perfect for holiday gatherings.
2. Crafting Unique Wreaths
Old ornaments can also be transformed into stunning wreaths that bring festive cheer to your front door. Start with a basic wreath form and attach your ornaments in a colorful array with a hot glue gun.
Vintage ornaments work particularly well for this project, as their unique designs can create a one-of-a-kind look that stands out. For an added touch, consider embellishing the wreath with fresh greenery or ribbons that match your home’s color scheme.
3. Creating Whimsical Wall Art
If you have old or broken ornaments that you can’t bear to part with, consider turning them into wall art. Arrange the ornaments in fun shapes—like Christmas trees or stars—on a canvas and secure them with glue.
This project showcases your creativity and allows you to display cherished pieces in a new way.
Alternatively, you can frame individual ornaments or clusters of them within shadow boxes. This approach adds depth and dimension to your decor while preserving the memories associated with each ornament.
4. Festive Table Settings
Elevate your holiday table settings by incorporating old ornaments into napkin rings or place card holders. Simply tie small ornaments onto ribbon and wrap them around napkins for an elegant touch.
For place cards, attach an ornament to each guest’s seating assignment, allowing them to take home a little piece of your holiday celebration. You can also use larger ornaments as decorative accents on each plate, creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages conversation and connection among guests.
5. Outdoor Decor Ideas
Don’t forget about the outdoors! Hang old ornaments from trees or bushes in your yard to create a whimsical winter wonderland. You can also incorporate them into garlands or wreaths for your outdoor spaces.
This festive touch enhances your home’s curb appeal and spreads holiday cheer throughout the neighborhood.
For those who love DIY projects, consider filling clear glass lanterns with colorful ornaments and placing them along walkways or on porches. The glow from the candles inside will illuminate the decorations beautifully during evening gatherings.
6. Upcycling Broken Ornaments
Even broken ornaments can be salvaged and repurposed creatively. For instance, shattered pieces can be used to create mosaic art or decorative stepping stones.
Alternatively, you can fill clear glass balls with fine shards of broken ornaments to create unique decor pieces that sparkle in the light.
Another fun idea is to cover cracked ornaments with colorful ribbons or fabric scraps, giving them a fresh look while concealing imperfections. This simple technique allows you to keep beloved pieces in rotation without drawing attention to their flaws.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.