Part collage, part diary and part upcycling, a junk journal combines many crafting ideas into one sometimes-bursting book. This trending, multi-media journalling concept is all about self-expression and the freedom to create.

Photos, poems, pressed flowers — anything goes, and everything finds a place on these free-flowing pages. Here are the rules to making a junk journal (kidding — there are no rules!). Still, these guidelines will help you get started on your own journalling journey.

1. Got Junk?

What really differentiates these personalized pages from other journalling endeavours is the focus on repurposing materials. Have a pile of magazines marked for recycling? Tear out the images that call to you and stick them in! Remember those ticket stubs you couldn’t figure out what to do with? In they go!

Ribbon ends, receipts, paper scraps, stamps — anything that was on the way to the trash or recycling bin is up for grabs. Gather your bits and bobs, grab that glue and get sticking. The more layers, the merrier!

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2. Materials You Need

When gathering materials to set up your first junk journal, you will need — you guessed it — a journal. Now, this could be a repurposed sketchbook, notebook, blank journal or even recycled paper that you bind with a tapestry needle and cord.

Tip: If you are planning on buying a fresh, new journal to start your practice, consider one with a spiral binding, such as these NOTA notebooks from Indigo ($4-$15). Their pages are looser, allowing more space for those special 3D pieces so they won’t get squished.

Scissors, glue, a marker that can write on any paper surface, and a storage box or folder for filler finds are also a must. But beyond that, if something is beautiful, sentimental or simply calls to you (and adheres to paper), it’s perfect. And if you’re looking for additional inspiration, here are some ideas to help turn on that “junk to jewel” radar:

• Plane, train and tram tickets
• Handwritten cards and notes
• Rubber stamps and metallic ink
• Washi tape and stickers
• Polaroid photos
• Fabric and lace scraps
• Restaurant menus
• Theatre programs
• Discarded wrapping paper
• Old family photos
• Feathers, leaves and pressed flowers
• Favourite quotes

3. Feel the Flow

While scrapbooks and dairies usually have a linear progression, covering a certain event or timeframe; a junk journal isn’t constrained by time. Make it a daily, weekly or random practice of mindfulness, sitting down and simply letting the creative spirit fill you — and your notebook.

It’s quick, messy and sometimes sticky (glue, remember). But junk journaling is also a surprisingly satisfying way to work through thoughts or memorialize a moment. The non-conformity of materials and the laissez faire nature of the process forces you to be OK with imperfections.

4. Set the Intention

While having the freedom to create whatever comes out sounds liberating, sometimes having a theme, a colour scheme or a goal can help get things going. Start with pieces that have varying shades of a colour that’s calling to you these days. Make it all about your world travels and those place you still hope to see.

Or perhaps this particular book will become one giant manifestation manifesto, filled with images, ideas and ideals you wish to call into your life. This is just the jumping off point; once you start snipping and ripping, who knows where it’ll take you!

5. A Multi-Layered Approach

When you’re ready to begin your mindful Mod-Podge-ian process, start with larger pieces first, working your way down in size. For example, a large fashion-magazine cutout makes an ideal first paper layer. Then add on those smaller scraps of fabric, dried flowers and metallic paint. With each new addition, the page grows in depth and your final image will start to emerge.

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6. It’s Got Pockets

To add a little, surprise interactive moment to a junk journal, incorporate pockets throughout for treasured trinkets or special messages. A pasted-in envelope could hold a sparkly table topper from a friend’s wedding or a graduation note from your mom. If you’re feeling ambitious, test your hand at crafting these memento hidey-holes from decorative cardstock, velvet swatches or woven ribbons.

7. A Touching Transformation

So much of the joy gained from junk journaling comes from the tactile experience — feeling the ripple in a scrap of silk, the rip of the paper, the press of the postcard. Each action requires you to be very present in the moment, all while building something beautiful and deeply personal. Plus, what environmentally minded DIYer doesn’t like the idea of turning trash into treasure?

This holiday season, take your staircase to the next level with a lush, dramatic garland made using a surprising secret weapon — a pool noodle! This affordable DIY pool noodle garland is easy, fun and completely customizable. Here’s how to create your own showstopping masterpiece for the holidays:

@hgtvcanada

Using a pool noodle for your garland is the ultimate festive decor hack 😍 @Courtney Naray #DIY #garland #christmas #holidaydecor #hack

♬ sunet original – 🎄CHRISTMAS☃️

Materials Required:

• 1 pool noodle
• Zip ties 
• Fir branches (grab free off-cuts from your Christmas tree)
• Cedar stems
• Pruning shears
• Gold beaded garland
• Glass gold star ornaments
• Battery-operated twinkle lights
• 2” satin ribbon (for bows)
• Scissors

Step 1: Attach Your Pool Noodle

First, slice the pool noodle lengthwise. Position it snugly along the top of your banister, with the cut side facing down. Secure it in place using zip ties, spacing them about 12 inches apart. This base will anchor all of the festive greenery and decorations.

Step 2: Gather and Trim Your Greenery

If you get a real Christmas tree for your house, ask for the off-cuts from the bottom — they’re usually free and perfect for this project! Pair them with some cedar stems for added texture and draping. Otherwise, you can pick up fresh greenery from most grocery stores this time of year.

Using pruning shears, trim the branches into smaller sections, roughly 8-12 inches long. You want pieces that are easy to handle but full enough to create a fluffy look.

Step 3: Build Your Pool Noodle Garland

Start at one end of the banister and insert the cut ends of the fir branches into the slit of the pool noodle. Work in sections, alternating with cedar stems to create dimension. Layer generously until the entire pool noodle is covered.

Pro tip: Stand back occasionally to check your progress, finding bald spots to ensure an even, full look.

Step 4: Add the Gold Beaded Garland

Take your gold beaded garland and drape it loosely around the greenery. Let it swoop and sag between sections for a touch of sparkle and movement. Secure the garland in place by tucking it into the greenery or using small zip ties if needed.

Step 5: Customize Your Pool Noodle Garland

Next, tuck in a few pretty ornaments. Use more stems to help hold them in place, ensuring they’re secure and visible.

Then, weave a string of battery-operated twinkle lights through the garland. Position the lights to highlight the ornaments and greenery, leaving the battery pack discreetly tucked at the base.

Step 6: Add the Finishing Touches

For the grand finale, create two large satin bows — one for the top of the banister and one for the bottom. I did a double bow at the bottom for even more drama. Secure the bows with zip ties and adjust the ribbon tails so they cascade elegantly downwards.

Step 7: Admire Your Work

With the final touches in place, it’s time to snap a few pictures for the ‘gram and enjoy your beautifully-decorated space. The mix of lush greenery, shimmering gold accents and twinkling lights brings instant holiday magic to your home.

‘Tis the season, so we’re all digging out the tinsel, detangling the strings of lights and thinking of ways to distract the cat. All that’s still needed is the tree. So, you’re probably thinking of driving out to a tree farm: natural is always better, right? “Not necessarily,” the experts say. “Wait,” you might ask. “Are artificial Christmas trees more eco-friendly than real ones, then?” Let’s look at the lowdown to find the answer.

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The Lowdown on Real Trees

One of the biggest reasons people think of real Christmas trees as eco-friendly is that they’re biodegradable. Once the holiday season is over, you just throw out the tree, and nature will take care of it: at least, that’s what happens if you first chip it and dispose of it correctly. If it just ends up in the landfill, it produces methane gas as it decomposes: to a CO2 equivalent of 16 kg for a tree that’s 2 m tall, according to the Carbon Trust.

There’s also the matter of where the tree comes from. Intense, unsustainable farming methods can actually be bad for the environment: they can cause a loss of biodiversity as they displace the natural ecosystems that were there before. This is an even bigger problem if the farm doesn’t use natural ways to keep pests out. “Wild-harvested” trees aren’t the answer either: that’s just another word for deforestation and all the problems that come with it, like chopping down certain tree species to the verge of extinction and destroying the homes of birds, insects and other woodland critters.

Related: IKEA’s 2023 Holiday Collection Will Inspire You to Deck the Halls Early

The Lowdown on Artificial Trees

So when it comes to comparing real versus fake Christmas trees, are artificial trees the better option? Yes and no.

Artificial indoor trees are versatile enough for all the latest holiday trends because they’re usually made of plastic that will take hundreds of years to fully decompose. And then we’re not even talking about the humongous carbon footprint of producing that plastic in the first place. However, you’ll probably reuse that tree next year and the year after that. Considering the average artificial tree has a carbon footprint of about 40 kg CO2, after a little over four years of use, the carbon footprint will be the same as if you’d left a real tree in the landfill. If you buy a tree of such high quality that you can use it for many years to come, it will have been the better choice, at least in terms of carbon footprint. By the time the tree is too tatty to use anymore, new technology may have found a way to safely dispose of it.

Related: Christmas Craft Ideas That Will Get You in the Holiday Spirit

What’s the Alternative?

It’s clear that there are too many factors at play to say without a doubt whether it’s better to get an artificial Christmas tree or a real one. So why not try alternatives?

The most eco-friendly Christmas tree there is is one of the native plants you already have growing in your garden. Simply add some LED lights, and voilà!

But let’s be realistic: nobody wants to open presents outside in a Canadian winter. The solution? Get a live potted tree. You won’t be killing a tree or destroying an ecosystem to make your home smell like Christmas all year long. With wildfires and severe frost having already wreaked havoc on the supply of farmed trees – and the outlook for the future not looking much better – you won’t ever have to worry about the Great Christmas Tree Shortage. Just keep the cat distracted.

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If you’re anything like us, you’ll understand when we say our love language is gift giving and gift wrapping. It’s an art form that we get to fully express on special occasions.

With the holiday season upon us, it’s time to flex our craft and try a new, sustainable approach: furoshiki Japanese gift wrapping.

What is furoshiki wrapping? We’re so happy you asked! Furoshiki gift wrapping is a tradition that originated in Japan 1,200 years ago that utilizes fabric to wrap and protect objects. Instead of using wrapping paper that ends up in landfills, furoshiki Japanese gift wrapping is a beautiful, eco-friendly and cost-effective way to wrap presents.

Now you may be thinking, how do I furoshiki gift wrap? Well there are many ways to furoshiki gift wrap but everyone has to start somewhere so we’ll start with wrapping simple objects. In Japaneses gift wrapping tradition, this is called otsukai tsutsumi.

Related: How to Gift Wrap Like a Pro

Step 1: Gather Material for Your Furoshiki Gift Wrap

Since we’re starting with the otsukai tsutsumi method, find yourself a square furoshiki gift wrapping cloth. This can be any cotton, silk, polyester or even chiffon cloth as long as there is some stretch to afford you flexibility when it comes time to wrap. Repurposing or thrifting vintage scarves or table cloths (depending on the size of your gift) for your furoshiki gift wrapping is a great first step and you’re guaranteed to find one of a kind patterns.

Step 2: Check the Size of Your Fabric

Once you’ve found the right cloth, lay it down on a flat surface diagonally and place the item in the center. Make sure to double check the size of the cloth, by pulling up the corners to meet, to ensure it covers the item!

Related: Try This Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap For a Zero-Waste Christmas

Step 3: Cross Opposing Corners Over Your Gift

Once you’re sure the furoshiki gift wrapping cloth is the right size, position the item so the flat edges correspond to the cloth’s corners. Take the corner closest to you and lay it over the gift, tucking the extra fabric under the gift. Do the same with the corner across from you (don’t worry about tucking in the extra fabric on this side).

Step 4: Tie the Remaining Corners of Fabric Into a Decorative Knot

You’ll notice most of the gift is covered at this point, leaving two ends of fabric on either side, which is perfect — you’re in the home stretch! Take those pieces and narrow them to line up with the gift. Hold the corners and pull them over to the middle and tie them in a knot. Now tie it again in either another knot or a lovely bow.

And that’s it! It’s that simple. You can recreate this technique easily with any size square or rectangular gift. It can even be applied to tricky-to-wrap round objects.

So before you reach for paper gift wrap, look around your home for fabric or scarves to repurpose and try furoshiki Japanese gift wrap this holiday season!

Related: Make Gift Wrapping a Breeze with Tiffany Pratt’s DIY Takeout Containers

Thinking of reselling your used couch or dorm room desk? Where is the first place you turn? If it’s Facebook Marketplace, you’re not alone. While Facebook Marketplace is a convenient “one-stop shop” to buy and sell used furniture, clothes and so on — it lacks a few key features that are helpful when sourcing home goods.

Resale sites like Poshmark and eBay have a better filtering capacity (such as colour, material and size) to ensure you’re finding the best product for your budget. Often times on Facebook Marketplace, you’ll come across a heap of product that doesn’t fit the aesthetic you’re after. Don’t get us wrong, we’ve found some pretty amazing pieces off Marketplace, but there are other viable alternatives to consider as well.

eBay

The one that started it all — eBay has been a mainstay for resellers since the mid ’90s. Aside from being a reselling hub for millions of people around the world, eBay has masterfully created a system where you can get the best bang for your buck. The auction function allows users to bid on their desired item with the potential of winning said item well below their budget.

Kijiji

Whether you’ve sourced a past rental unit or used car on here, Kijiji is the one site Canadians look to without fail. While it might not be the most visually appealing, the wide selection of items and localized filtering system make it a breeze to source unconventional home goods you wouldn’t typically find on Marketplace. Some of our favourite decor pieces have come from Kijiji!

Poshmark

This is where things get a little bougee, but for the better. Although best known for reselling luxury clothing, there is opportunity to source some great high-end home goods as well. The benefit of shopping on Poshmark is the ability to discover authentic, brand-name luxury home products for less. We recommend using Poshmark sparingly for when you’re looking for that unique pricey piece with a more affordable price tag.

Amazon

A common misconception about Amazon is that you can’t resell preloved items, but this simply isn’t true. Amazon’s site offers the ability to buy new items from users as well as retailers, in addition to giving users the opportunity to resell a variety of home goods. There are some minor restrictions to reselling items on Amazon based on the brand, but for the most part, you’re in the clear.

Related: Debra Salmoni Talks Vintage Home Decor, Sustainability and Rewriting the Story of Your Home