Did you know silent movie star Harold Lloyd had 8000 Christmas tree decorations?

These days Christmas tree decorations to rival the glass and gilt marvels on Lloyds tree can cost as a little as $5. Tinsel is cheaper still with miles of it costing a few dollars. But what is the real price of all that glitter encrusted plastic, and on the verge of a climate and sustainability crisis can we really afford it?

Like the silent movie era, the era of buying Christmas wholesale every year, and chucking it out again on Boxing Day is long gone.

But that doesn’t mean your Christmas will be a dowdy affair. You can still be merry, bright and sustainable by making your decorations.

So here are five baubles and beauties which you can make in no time, for less than $10.

READ MORE: * 20 simple Christmas craft ideas to try this festive season * Eco-friendly Christmas decorations to love * Recipe: Stained-glass cookie Christmas tree ornaments * DIY: Christmas salt dough decorations * How to make homegrown Christmas presents

You will need: A4 paper or thin card (can be coloured and patterned, but natural card looks good too), scissors, stapler, pencil and ruler

Optional: Yarn for making tassels

Method: Cut the paper into even, 4cm wide strips. You’ll need 3 strips per bauble. Keep one full length, cut one 5cms shorter, one 7cm shorter, then cut all the strips in half.

Layer the strips evenly: Long, medium, short, short, medium, long. If you want to add a tassel, slip the cord between the two shortest strips.

Staple the strips together near the even edge, then again about 2cm up. You should have a flip book of strips with the shortest strips inside.

Bend the loose ends so the longest are even with the shortest strips. Staple this end about 2cm in – slip a loop in the middle of the open end and staple again near the top. Voila: retro bauble.

Duration: 10-15 minutes prep, 1- 2 hours drying

You will need: 3-4 oranges, baking tray and baking paper, twine

Method: Slice your oranges into rounds, spread them on a baking tray, and bake them on a very low heat for about an hour till they dry out. Keep an eye on them as they can start to burn if your oven is too hot.

Remove from the oven and once cool, string the orange slices on a long a piece of twine to make a garland, or give them individual loops for hanging on the tree.

You can also check out our guide to sprucing up a wreath with dried orange slices.

You will need: Kraft paper, pencil, scissors, masking tape, a dab of paper glue, a white pen

Optional: Gold and silver pens to decorate

Method: Cut the paper into round-ended fans of various sizes – a group of about five little trees looks best, but how many you make is up to you. Roll the fans into cones. Once you’re happy with the shape, tape up with masking tape.

Dot the “tree” with little squiggles to suggest snowy branches. If you want to use a gold pen to make baubles, knock yourself out.

You can also cut a tiny star and colour it in to stick at the top of one of the trees.

This also looks great with multi-coloured paper-card.

You will need: Yarn, scissors, a piece of stiff card, a pencil, twine or ribbon, paper glue, brown paper or art card

Optional: Mini pompoms from the craft aisle

Method: Make a pompom about the size of a tennis ball: First make a template by tracing the bottom of a coffee mug onto a piece of stiff card. Cut out two rounds. Make a small hole, like a doughnut, in the middle. Cut a wedge in the rounds like you’re cutting into a cake and cut out the centre hole. You should have two pieces that look like the letter c.

Place them back to back, and start wrapping the yarn around the shape, make it snug, but not too tight (you’ll need to be able to get some scissors between the pieces of card).

Once you can’t fit more yarn, slip your scissors between the pieces of card and start to cut along the outer edge of the wrapped yarn. Cut a piece of twine or ribbon about 40cm long and tuck it between the card to keep all the loose bits of yarn in place.

Once you cut all the way around, tie the ribbon or twine end tightly, and you should have a slightly lumpy pompom you can now trim into shape.

From the brown card, cut out a little nose (or use one of the craft shop mini pompoms), some little ears, and simple antler shapes (like a curvy letter f). Glue them in place.

Alternatively, leave the white pompoms bare and use them for a summer snowball fight on Christmas morning. They are quite soft and won't hurt little heads or eyes.

Duration: 20 minutes prep, 2-3 hours baking

You will need: 2 cups flour, 1 cup table salt, 1 cup water. Christmas cookie cutters, or a sharp knife, baking tray and greaseproof paper, ribbon or twine.

Optional: Food colouring, paints and bio-glitter, cinnamon, ginger or orange essence.

Method: Put the salt and flour in a bowl together and slowly add water until it all comes together into a ball. Spread a little flour on the counter and kneed the dough for about 10 minutes and let it rest for five.

At this point, you can add food colouring to the mix, or add spices or orange essence to make scented decorations.

Heat the oven up to 120C.

Roll the dough out on a floured surface until it’s thin and even. Cut out festive shapes and place them on greaseproof paper on a baking tray – don’t forget to pierce holes at the top so you can string them up.

Bake the shapes for about 2 hours, or until they are hard.

When they are cool, you can paint and decorate – or leave them plain for a Scandi/boho look.