Makar Sankranti is a festival of colour, harvest, and creativity, celebrated with kites, traditional sweets, and festive decorations. In many places today, people are choosing to celebrate sustainably by using natural materials, reusable items, and DIY decor.
Fresh flowers, eco-friendly rangoli, clay diyas, and recycled paper crafts are replacing plastic and synthetic options, allowing homes to stay festive while keeping waste to a minimum.
Why choose sustainable decor?
Since many people are already embracing eco-friendly ways to celebrate, sustainable decor has become a natural extension of these efforts. However, we still find many houses rely on plastic, synthetic colours, and non-biodegradable materials, which create unnecessary waste.
Choosing sustainable options reduces environmental impact, encourages creativity, and adds a personal touch to celebrations, proving that a festive home can also be mindful and responsible.
Since many people are already embracing eco-friendly ways to celebrate, sustainable decor has become a natural extension of these efforts. Photograph: (Shutterstock)
Tips for sustainable Makar Sankranti decor
1. Use natural materials
Natural elements bring warmth, texture, and authenticity to festive decor. Flowers, leaves, and natural fibres not only look vibrant but are biodegradable, reducing waste. Traditional clay and terracotta items are long-lasting, reusable, and bring a rustic charm that plastic cannot replicate.
How to do it:
- Collect flowers, leaves, or petals from local markets to support vendors.
- String flowers or leaves together to make garlands for doors, windows, or altars. Garlands add a festive aroma and visual appeal.
- Scatter petals along tables, window sills, or pathways for an organic, colourful effect.
- Use jute or cotton fabric as table runners, wall hangings, or buntings. These fabrics are durable, reusable, and compostable.
- Wrap clay pots or diyas in colourful fabrics or place them on shelves/windowsills, they double as decor and can be reused each year.
- Hang lights or ornaments using natural twine or fibre ropes to avoid plastic strings, giving a rustic and eco-conscious look.
2. Get creative with DIY projects
DIY decor allows you to personalise your space while reducing consumption of manufactured, plastic-heavy items. Handmade projects also encourage family participation and provide a sense of accomplishment, making the festival more meaningful.
How to do it:
- Sketch rangoli designs lightly with chalk before filling, as this prevents mistakes and guarantees patterns are precise.
- Fill in the design using rice flour, pulses, or crushed flower petals instead of synthetic powders, making it safe for children and pets and biodegradable.
- Fold recycled paper into kites, lanterns, or buntings using simple origami or cutting techniques. This changes waste paper into decorative pieces.
- Paint or decorate paper crafts with leftover paints or natural dyes to add colour without extra packaging or plastic.
- Involve family members in creating decor because it doubles as a creative activity and helps teach children about sustainable living.
Choosing sustainable options reduces environmental impact, encourages creativity, and adds a personal touch to celebrations. Photograph: (Shutterstock)
3. Repurpose what you already have
Repurposing reduces waste and cuts down on unnecessary purchases. Everyday items can be revamped into beautiful decor, giving them a second life while adding uniqueness to your celebrations.
How to do it:
- Wash old glass jars and decorate them with paint, ribbons, or fairy lights to make lanterns; these can be reused for future occasions.
- Sew or tie leftover fabrics into buntings, mats, or cushion covers, turning scraps into vibrant decor items.
- Clean and lightly paint old clay diyas. They last for years and retain traditional charm.
- Arrange diyas and lanterns along windowsills, staircases, or entrances. They provide warmth and a festive glow without electricity-heavy alternatives.
- Turn cardboard boxes into decorative trays or display stands using paint or fabric wraps, reusing what would otherwise be discarded.
4. Eco-friendly rangoli and floor decor
Rangoli is a signature part of the festival and can be made fully eco-conscious. Using natural powders and grains not only reduces chemical exposure but also connects the decor to the harvest theme, celebrating nature’s bounty.
How to do it:
- Add seeds, grains, or pulses along outlines for texture and dimension, symbolising abundance and harvest.
- Place small diyas around the rangoli to highlight the design and reduce the need for artificial lights.
- These materials are safe for children and pets and decompose naturally, leaving no harmful residue behind.
5. Sustainable gift displays
Gifts and treats can become part of your decor while reducing packaging waste. Using edible or reusable items adds a functional element to your displays and promotes mindful gifting.
Natural elements bring warmth, texture, and authenticity to festive decor. Photograph: (Shutterstock)
How to do it:
- Wrap gifts in cloth, reusable boxes, or handmade paper bags instead of plastic, giving them a unique and eco-friendly appearance.
- Arrange sugarcane sticks, sesame seeds, jaggery, or dried fruits in trays or baskets; these natural elements add colour, texture, and a harvest-theme touch.
- Tie twine, ribbons, or string instead of plastic tape for finishing touches.
- Add leaves, flowers, or spices to embellish trays or packages. These are biodegradable and visually appealing.
- Place arrangements on tables, shelves, or entrances for a decorative effect that also encourages sustainable gifting practices.
Sustainable decor for Makar Sankranti combines creativity, mindfulness, and practicality. With a little planning and creativity, your home can shine with colour, texture, and warmth, without leaving a footprint on the environment. Celebrating sustainably turns traditions into thoughtful expressions, showing that small, conscious changes can make a big difference while keeping celebrations meaningful.
