Have Yourself a Merry Little (Women) Christmas: 3 Cheap and Easy Ways to Decorate Sustainably

Julia Wheeler
Nov 22, 2025
5 min read

Photo from Unsplash: Taken by Priscilla De Preez

If you doom scroll into weird internet rabbit holes, you have probably seen the "Little Women" Christmas decor trend going around. While I am all for decorating and getting into the holiday spirit, the true nature of actually having a "Little Women" Christmas is embracing what we have and sharing it with others. This article is going to give you 3 simple and low cost ways to decorate your place without the underlying marketing push to sell your soul to the Overconsumption Corporate Gods. As a recovering shopaholic myself it is always a challenge come holiday season, but in my opinion, the best way you can show your loved ones that you care is by making them a gift from the heart.

Whether it be a recipe, origami, or an abstract painting, let your creative side shine and your family is guaranteed to love that you thought of them.

Salt Dough Ornaments

Simmer Pot-Pourri

Origami Paper Stars

(1) Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments (Total Time: 3 hours)

Salt
Flour
Water
Cinnamon (Optional)

Step 1: Gathering your ingredients

The whole point of being more cautious of consumption is using what you already have around you. Start in your pantry and work with what you have first. If you are missing an ingredient, ask a neighbor or substitute with something else. The way I make the dough is very simple. All equal parts.

Once you find your ingredients, mix the dry parts in a large mixing bowl. Slowly add your water until it reaches the dough consistency. Basically you want it to look like cookies. If you do decide to add cinnamon or glitter, you want to add it in the first step before rolling out your dough.

Step 2: Roll the Dough.

Using a Rolling Pin or a glass bottle, roll out your dough until it is uniformly flat and thin. You want it to be about 1/4 inches thick. Now that it is rolled out, it is time to cut them into whatever shapes you want.

Step 3: Cut into Shapes

In the spirit of transparency, I did go to the store and bought some metal holiday cookie cutters. My plan is to make my husband's office Christmas cookies and candles. I knew I would continue to use these in follow on years so the purchase felt justified.

That is not required, so if you don't have cutters, you can still make whatever shapes you want.

Before drying, make sure to prick a small hole in the top of the ornament for twine or ribbon to go through for hanging. If you forget this step, you can always hot glue the twine to the back of the ornament after drying.

Step 4: Bake or Dry Ornaments

Place ornaments on a parchment paper lined tray.

Timely: Lowest Setting on Oven (200F) for 2-3 hours (check an hour in)

Without Equipment: Let air dry for 24-72 hours (humidity dependent) and flip for even hardening.

Step 5: Decorate and Seal

Once the ornaments are completely dry, now is the time to let your creativity shine. My plan this year is to make some salt dough snowflakes and cinnamon salt dough gingerbread men and trees.

(Optional) Paint. To liven up my ornaments just a little more I am going to paint them with the acrylic paints I already have and seal with Mod Podge.

(2) Origami Paper Stars (Total Time: 30 minutes)

Computer Paper or Paper from an Old Book (1 star is about 2 1/2 book paper pieces)
Scissors
Hot Glue
Twine
Paint (optional)

Step 1: Gathering your Paper and Cutting to size

Oddly enough I chose a random book on my shelf that I had already read (years ago) and one of the characters in this book is also named Julia. It was meant to be showcased all over I suppose.

If you don't feel like cutting into a book that you own (i.e. you only own books you like) you can always go to a thrift store and give an old old book a new life. Please don't go buy a new book just to cut it. That feels wrong and wasteful and the opposite of what Jo March would want.

Step 2: Fold the Paper

This part is broken down into multiple steps since you are doing a few folds to get the star shape you want. below pictures are in order of folding.

Repeat this process 5 times.

Step 3: Hot Glue Paper Together

Now that you have all the folds to make the shape, follow the pictures to see where to hot glue (or stick glue) your paper together to form the star.

The next step is to combine each piece. It is easier to show you in a video form so if you want to try it yourself watch below:

Step 4: (Optional) Paint

Personally I used a gold acrylic paint and mod podge mixture to create a more rustic look for the stars. It didn't cover up the words which I liked.

Step 5: Hot Glue Twine to the Star and Hang up

et voila! You have the coolest stars that will make your space feel even cozier this holiday season!

(3) Simmer Pot-Pourri (Prep Time: 1-3 days)

The great thing about this decoration is that you really can customize it to your liking. This aspect of "decoration" really appeals to your sense of smell. Nothing completes the holiday spirit quite like your home smelling like cinnamon and apples (my fav). Below is a super easy way to make your home smell nice without harsh chemicals.

Citrus (Orange or Lemon)
Cinnamon Sticks
Cranberries (Dried or Fresh)
3 cups water
1 small Crockpot or regular (stovetop) Pot
(Optional Add-ins) Anise Stars, Ground Nutmeg, Rosemary Sprigs, Apple Slices
(Additional Note) Instructions on Drying Ingredients for Gift Bags Below

Step 1: Deciding on Ingredients

You can change it up but for today, I am simmering leftover Orange slices, Apple Slices, Cinnamon, Anise, and Ground nutmeg, and prepping my own potpourri gift bags.

Step 2: Prepare and Slice Fruits

If you are simmering citrus or apples cut them in rounds. Cut carefully and use precaution.

Step 3: Bring your pot to a simmer or set your crockpot to low. Enjoy.

Add all your ingredients and add 3 cups of water and enjoy.

OR

Step 3: (Gift Option) Dry fruit.

Line your sliced fruit in a dehydrator or oven at (200F/98C) and bake for 6-8 hours. Cranberries should be at least 8 hours on a baking sheet. Once the oranges and apples dry, put on a cooling rack and continue to air dry for 1-3 more days.

Step 4: (Gift Option) Package dried ingredients and gift within 10-14 days.

If you want to gift your friends the fresh option you just have to make sure to do so within 3 days.

If you have made it this far, the March sisters would be proud. Remember that the holidays are what you make of it. If this part of the year is difficult for you, maybe these three tips can help you to slow down and enjoy this new season. I believe in you. I am glad you are here, and most of all. I love youuuu ok byeeeeee.