In San Esteban de Valdueza, a tiny village in the province of León, winter began with an unusual transformation. Here, among stone houses and slate roofs, a five-meter-tall Christmas tree made from thousands of used plastic bottles appeared as the village’s new holiday symbol. Instead of traditional garlands and tinsel, the streets are adorned with homemade trees, stars, gift boxes, and even snowflakes—all crafted from what would normally be thrown away.
This year, residents decided not to spend a single euro on traditional decorations. The village budget is modest, but the desire to make the holidays special is immense. From spring through autumn, locals collected empty bottles and, by winter, turned them into festive décor. Not just bottles but also old buckets, pallets, pieces of piping, and even unwanted clothing were put to use. Every item found its place in the community effort.
A unifying idea
It all began with an initiative by Diana García, the village head, who suggested giving up store-bought decorations. Last year, locals built their first giant Christmas tree out of plastic bottles, and the idea was such a hit that this year the project grew many times over. Not only did villagers get involved in collecting materials—bar owners from nearby towns also joined in, where bottles are always plentiful.
This time, the focus was on bottles from a single brand — Cabreiroá. Not because of any special qualities, but simply because these were the ones most often brought from nearby establishments. By day, the bottles appear blue, but at night they turn almost transparent, adding a magical touch to the street lights. Over several months, more than 15,000 bottles were collected, though not all of them were used.
A DIY Celebration
Work got underway back in September. During the summer, ideas were discussed and flyers were posted asking people to donate materials. In the fall, everyone gathered every Saturday at the local administration hall. By November, enthusiasm peaked — residents were taking materials home to finish in time for the festivities. Even the village’s four children happily pitched in: they crafted decorations, helped hang them on the streets, and even wrote a holiday greeting for the opening.
This year, the streets featured not only the main five-meter-high centerpiece, but also ten small Christmas trees, fence decorations, large-bottle stars, small-bottle ornaments, and dozens of gift-wrapped boxes with ribbons. All of this was made possible by a collective effort involving adults, children, and even those who only visit the village during the holidays.
The Power of Community
Local resident Ana Belén Barba notes that it was the collaborative effort that truly brought everyone together, from children to the elderly. Such unity is rare in cities. Everyone contributed: some brought materials, others helped with the construction, and some simply offered words of encouragement. Even the local bar, which is still open, became a hub for gathering bottles and sharing ideas.
The festive decorations became not only a way to save money, but also an opportunity for creativity and connection. Villagers are confident the tradition will continue next year. They don’t expect expensive ornaments—the main thing is for everyone to share a part of themselves. And though San Esteban de Valdueza counts just 30 residents in winter, their enthusiasm can light up any winter.
