A Very DIY Christmas

For many, this holiday season is muted by the economic situation, but thankfully it allows for some innovative twists on the blitz of consumerism.  The internet is abuzz with instructions or free templates for do-it-yourself seasonal ornaments and decorations.  Some projects are simple paper constructions, but others include some more dedication like this intricate Nutcracker.  Make-a-Flake even lets you test your snowflake creations online before wasting precious paper.  The hundreds of free projects available from clearly talented designers allow motivated individuals to create rich holiday decorations by going to their cabinets and drawers instead of bank and stores.

As most retail outlets see a major drop in sales this season, craft stores are getting a big bump and many see this as a transition to handmade goods.  This could simply be an indication of the times, but it may usher in a new era of playful projects driven by the strong DIY digital community.  Our favorites include the downloadable Star Wars “Droidel” and the felt Half-eaten Gingerbread Man.

[via TreeHugger]