12 Affordable Christmas Decor DIYs Using Toilet Paper Rolls

As soon as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, signs of Christmas activities, decorations, and holiday cheer begin popping up all around. With chilly weather keeping most people indoors, it's the perfect time of year to get crafty and try out fun and adorable Christmas DIYs. Whether you're planning a fun craft day with kids or friends, or just browsing ideas for DIYs to fill your long winter nights, decor isn't necessarily the part of the holidays that you want to break the bank for. So, if you're looking for affordable Christmas decor DIYs, it's time to stop tossing your toilet paper rolls and start turning them into stylish home decor instead.

Toilet paper rolls can be useful in countless DIY crafts — from miniature Christmas trees to advent calendars to candles. These DIY ideas are both more affordable and more sustainable than buying seasonal decor. By reusing a common household item, you can contribute to recycling efforts; plus, you're already paying for toilet paper, so this part of the craft won't cost you anything extra. Most toilet paper roll crafts only require a few other materials, such as hot glue, scissors, paint, construction paper, yarn, or ribbon. Some crafters will already have many of these items on hand, but if you don't, don't worry: These are some of the most affordable crafting items.

Get your Christmas planning started with a fun toilet paper advent calendar DIY. Start with a cardboard frame and fill it with 24 (or 25 if you want to count Christmas day) toilet paper rolls. You can cover each roll in whatever decorated paper you like with a number to represent the days left until Christmas. The only extra materials you may need are a hot glue gun, such as this Hot Glue Gun Kit with 30 Glue Sticks that costs around $10, and cardboard for the frame, which you can recycle or purchase from Dollar Tree for $1.25.

Create adorable Christmas characters to fit any theme you like, using empty toilet paper rolls, glue, and construction paper, which usually costs under $5. Or, you can use paint if you want to show off your art skills. Simply cut the shapes for the character's face and outfit out of construction paper and glue them onto the toilet paper roll. Some common characters include The Three Wise Men, Santa, Rudolf, angels, and snowmen. You can leave them on a shelf as figurines or add strings to make them into ornaments.

These DIY Christmas crackers can be used as decor elements that add a bit more excitement to stocking stuffers. All you need are some cracker snaps, which you can purchase for under $10 online, wrapping paper, tape, and toilet paper rolls. Cut one roll in half and place each half on the end of the wrapping paper. Place a full roll in the center between the two halves. Add the snap and roll it all up. Pinch one side and tie it off, then fill the center and tie off the other end.

Design your own crafty Christmas tree forest using toilet paper rolls. This is one of the most affordable DIYs on the list, especially if you have any art supplies on hand. To make your Christmas tree forest, all you need are the toilet paper rolls, some scissors, and some kind of green color or covering. You can use paint, construction paper, or crayons and coloring supplies to get the green color. Or, you can leave them uncolored. Flatten the toilet paper roll and cut triangles out of the edges to get the tree shape.

Making fake candles is an idea that is sure to be a hit with the kids. Plus, the elegant lights blend in with the holiday decor in a way that you know is affordable, but doesn't feel cheap. For this DIY, you need toilet paper rolls, tea lights, hot glue, and paint. Stand the toilet paper roll up and drizzle hot glue along the rim so it drips down like hot wax. Let the glue dry and paint it the desired color (try red and gold for Christmas colors). Place the tea light in the roll and turn it on.

Need tiny boxes for stocking stuffers, jewelry, or other tiny Christmas treasures? Don't waste the money on buying individual boxes. Turn your toilet paper rolls into folded gift boxes. Technically, you could do this with nothing more than the toilet paper roll and some tape, but you'll probably want to dress it up a little. Add wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, or any other adornments as you please. To make the boxes, place the gift in the center of the toilet paper roll. Pinch the edges together so they fold in to form a point and tape them shut.

Brighten up your Christmas decor with a golden tree that no one will know is made of toilet paper rolls. Start with some cardstock, which you can buy for around $5, and glue it into a cone shape. Cut the bottom so it sits flat. Then, cut toilet paper rolls into thin rings and flatten them. Add a ring of glue just above the base of the cone, and add your rings. Continue this process until the entire cone is covered. Spray paint the tree with metallic gold spray paint. Adorn with ornaments, beads, ribbon, or a star.

This affordable DIY uses toilet paper rolls to make adorable Christmas decor. Add a bit of coziness to your tree, dress up some miniature snowmen, or warm up your elves with these miniature winter hats made of yarn and toilet paper rolls. Cut the toilet paper rolls into strips and loop the yarn around the cuff you made. Then tie the ends of all the yarn together and cut the tip until it looks like a pom pom. If you don't have yarn on hand, you can purchase it for as little as $1 at some craft stores.

This one is a DIY best suited for ambitious crafters because it involves a bit more tedious work than some of the other options on the list. However, if done right, you'll never know this beautiful Christmas ornament was a DIY made from a toilet paper roll. Plus, in terms of affordable Christmas decor DIYs, this one takes the cake. All you need are toilet paper rolls and hot glue. You will start by cutting and gluing strips into a cone shape. Then, attach six cones together in a star shape and attach a string.

Not only can you save money, but you can elevate your holiday tablescape with a toilet paper roll DIY. With some fabric, yarn, a button, and hot glue, you can make these adorable Santa napkin holders for Christmas decor that brings the holiday cheer to your table. You can use felt and yarn for a more kid-themed decor option for those big family diners. Or, opt for silk and faux fur for a sophisticated look for entertaining a more mature crowd. Cut the toilet paper roll to size and glue your Santa stylings on in any fashion you like.

The concept behind the toilet paper roll snowflake DIY is relatively simple, but you can get as creative as you want with the project. The same goes for the added decoration. You can use paint, ribbon, glitter, or whatever else you have on hand to make the snowflake stand out even more when you are done assembling it. To make the snowflake, flatten the toilet paper roll and cut it into uniform rings. Glue the rings together at the tips in a snowflake pattern. You can fold the rings in half for a smaller, fractal-like pattern.

For a craft that you can simplify with kids or craft complex designs for adults, turn your toilet paper rolls into stunning DIY holiday wreaths. The concept is very similar to creating toilet paper roll snowflakes, only you are going to shape it into a wreath instead. You can keep it simple by arranging strips of cut toilet paper rolls in a simple leaf-like pattern, or you can fold the strips into smaller, intricate patterns. You can complete this craft with toilet paper rolls and hot glue, but you can also add any adornments you have on hand, like ribbons, holly, beads, and more.