Make-it-yourself this Christmas
Want to have a more sustainable Christmas? Then step away from the shops and embrace the handmade this year.
With Yodomo's easy and free courses, you can learn how to make your own upcycled tree decorations, weave a decorative willow star to decorate your door, or intricately carving fruit to adorn your Christmas dinner table. All with eco-friendly, upcycled or biodegradable materials.
Our round up of free seasonal courses is also brimming with great handmade gift ideas. You won't want to miss out on our ultimate guide to present wrapping - guaranteed to make you gift-wrap star of the season!
Ready to be inspired? Then take a browse of ways to have yourself a very merry handmade Christmas, keep little ones busy and fill your home with festive cheer with Yodomo courses.
Make Your Own Holiday Decorations
Add a personal touch to your Christmas decor with these free creative courses and deck the halls, tree and dinner table with these festive ideas.
Make a Willow Wreath with Jenny Crisp
Sustainable and elegant, this willow wreath can be adorned with sprigs of holly or flowers, making a botanical addition to your holiday decor. Professional basket maker and willow grower, Jenny Crisp shows you how to make this simple willow wreath.
Make a leafy copper garland with Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell
A plastic-free alternative to store-bought garlands, this course teaches you the skills you need to make Christmas decorations using copper foil, introducing you to tools and techniques that will be useful for endless more projects.
Create hanging decorations with leather off-cuts or paper with Kate Rochester
Photographed at Wyvern Bindery, this course with book artist Kate Rochester shows you creative ways to use leather off-cuts so as to not waste any material. You can also use decorative paper or old books for truly unique window decor. Choose colours to reflect a holiday theme, or choose something that will complement your home all year round.
Become a gift-wrapping genius
This year, don't let odd-shaped presents get the best of you - learn how to elegantly present small presents, gift voucher and more with these fun gift-wrapping ideas.
Make a Gift Envelope with Jane Mean
The beautifully crafted gift envelope will elevate any present you give. Learn folding techniques from gift-wrapping guru Jane Mean that will make any small gift stand out from under the tree.
Make a self-closing wrapper with Hedi Kyle and Ulla Warchol
Perfect for gifting books and customisable to the shape of many other objects, this self-closing wrapper by experts in structure and conservation Hedi Kyle and Ulla Warchol not only functions as gift wrapping but is also great for using to keep fragile books from fraying. Thinking of getting your favourite bookworm a rare edition of an old classic? This project is the perfect accompaniment and wrapping.
Christmas Dinner Table Adornments
No Christmas feast is complete without a little holiday pizzazz in the form of warm, festive decor. Try out these courses and make your dinner table picture-perfect.
Make clove-spiked pomanders with Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell
Oranges and cloves are the quintessential Christmas combination, and they make everything cosier and more festive (not to mention wonderfully fragrant!) In this easy-to-follow course, Deborah shows you clever techniques to carve oranges and decorate them with cloves for the perfect clove-spiked pomander. Make several and arrange them in a bowl for a delicious-smelling and intricate centrepiece for your table.
Make a Rolled Beeswax Candle with Emma Hardy
Satisfying and easy to make, these beeswax candles are what every Christmas dinner table needs in order to bring in some soft, warm light and gentle scent. Make several in your favourite colours and give some away as party favours!
Handmade Gifts
Nothing says unique as a specially crafted gift adorned with personal touches, and nothing says care like a present that took time to construct. These handmade gifts are fun to make and even more fun to give (and receive!)
Crochet a cactus with Emma Varnam
We all know someone who can't keep plants alive no matter how hard they try. This 'Holiday cactus' (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is the perfect gift for that person, or for anyone who appreciates a splash of colour in their household. While live cacti require care and maintenance, this wonderful crocheted version provides a vibrant addition to any home without the commitment.
Make an Antler Coat Rack with Max McMurdo
Upcycling genius Max McMurdo shows you how to use old, unwanted furniture to create a charming antler coat rack (without actual antlers from an animal!) Follow the steps to create a professional, useful coat rack and gift it to the loved one who adores eclectic home furnishings.
Crochet a robin
Through easy to follow step-by-step instructions, photographs, illustrations and charts, Vanessa Mooncie will show you how to crochet a cheerful little robin - guaranteed to make a delightful surprise when unwrapped by someone special.
Make a willow star with Julia Clarke
Great as Christmas decor but just as impressive as a gift, this willow star uses only sustainable materials for an ornament that suits any wall. Learn the best techniques for using natural materials with sculptor and artist Julia Clarke and gift a woven star for the stars of your life.