Get creative in the run up to Christmas and turn some excess into stylish decorative pieces.
TV presenter and upcycling supremo Max McMurdo shares his top 5 upcycling tips for Christmas.
If your Christmas tree has seen better days or you're simply in need of an additional one, use an old folding wooden ladder instead. Mount a star (or preferred tree topper) at the top and hang baubles from the centre to create a great feature piece your guests are sure to comment on.
Spray bean cans gold, copper and brass to welcome Christmassy metallics into the home. These can be used to house wild winter flowers or houseplants which will create a gorgeous centrepiece for the table. Scatter sprayed and natural pine cones to complement the industrial tin surface.
Don't throw away your lightbulbs. You can use bulbs as baubles and create festive characters using Sugru mouldable glue.
Use old newspaper and magazine letter cutouts to stick onto brown luggage tags to create name labels for the table. This avoids those awkward family pairings and can be attached to wine glasses. They also make great personalised gift tags.
Keep hold of your wine bottle corks - these can be used to fit into an upcycled frame to create a quirky notice board. Alternatively, collect lots to cover a tabletop or wall area. Cork is both on trend and a great sustainable material.
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