This holiday season, glitter-heavy décor and mass-produced ornaments are quietly stepping aside. In their place? Felt ornaments, paper stars, hand-cut garlands, and DIY decorations are all lovingly handmade. Across social media and real homes alike, Gen Z and Millennials are embracing DIY holiday décor as a way to celebrate more intentionally.
So what’s driving this shift from store-bought sparkle to handcrafted charm?
Younger generations are increasingly aware of the environmental cost of fast décor items bought for one season and discarded the next. DIY decorations offer an alternative that feels thoughtful, reusable, and low-waste.
Using paper, felt, fabric scraps, or recycled materials turns decorating into an act of conscious consumption rather than excess.
Paper stars, handmade garlands, and simple felt ornaments tap into a sense of nostalgia, childhood crafts, school holidays, and slower moments. But today’s versions are styled with a modern eye: neutral palettes, clean shapes, and minimalist forms that align perfectly with contemporary interiors.
It’s sentimental without being dated.
Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok have played a major role in reviving DIY décor. Short craft videos, aesthetic flat-lays, and cozy “slow living” content have turned handmade holiday pieces into a visual trend.
DIY isn’t just practical, it’s shareable, personal, and expressive.
With rising costs everywhere, DIY decorations offer an affordable way to celebrate without compromising on style. Felt ornaments, paper chains, and handmade stars require minimal supplies and often things already at home.
For many, crafting has also become a calming ritual, a pause from the rush of the season.
At its core, this trend reflects a broader cultural shift. Gen Z and Millennials are redefining what the holidays mean, focusing less on perfection and more on presence, creativity, and connection.
Handmade decorations carry stories. They slow us down. They remind us that celebration doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful.
DIY holiday décor isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing less, better.
This season, felt ornaments and paper stars aren’t just decorations. They’re symbols of a quieter, more intentional way to celebrate.
