Natural Christmas Decorations You Can Make at Home
HOW TO USE NATURAL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON FOR A WARM AND TIMELESS FEEL.
If you’ve ever looked around your home during the holidays and thought, “There has to be a way to make this look magical without spending half my paycheck at the craft store,” then you’re in exactly the right place.
Natural Christmas decorations have become wildly popular, not just because they’re budget-friendly and eco-conscious, but because they create that warm, old-fashioned, cozy vibe we all crave this time of year. Think: citrus garlands, foraged greenery, handmade ornaments, pinecones, warm spices… basically, if it’s something you’d find in nature, you can’t go wrong.
Today, I’m sharing simple, beautiful, natural Christmas decorations you can make at home, mostly with things you already have or can find outdoors for free. These are easy, timeless, and perfect for anyone who wants a more understated, natural holiday look.
What makes natural Christmas decor so charming?
There’s something peaceful about using materials that feel, well… natural: no plastic, neon, or complicated DIY tools required.
Natural Christmas decor brings a homey warmth that makes your home feel cozy and lived-in. It’s the perfect seasonal decoration that makes a huge impact without being over the top.
With nature, the options are virtually limitless; there are so many ways to use foraged greenery for decorating and handmade holiday decor. And it’s budget-friendly or free!
Some of my favorite natural greenery and winter blooms to use in my holiday decor are:
- Balsam Fir
- Pine
- Magnolia
- Juniper
- Holly
- Boxwood
- Eucalyptus
- Amaryllis
- Paperwhite
- Pointsettia
For these reasons, today I wanted to share natural Christmas decorations you can make at home to give you (and me) some beautiful ideas for this year’s holiday decor.
decorating with greenery
The beauty of decorating with natural greenery is that you can use what you already have. Whatever natural evergreens you have growing on your property (or have access to) is what I would start with.
For example, in our last house, there was a big, beautiful pine tree in the development that I would walk to and get clippings from for my holiday decor. Searching for foraged greenery is half the fun.
In our new house, we have a couple of fir trees as well as holly trees, which is what I will likely use this year.
Just remember many of these branches, such as pine branches, contain sap – they can be sticky. Be sure to check for bugs before bringing them indoors as well. I’ve heard you can spray plants with a mix of water and dish detergent to rid any critters before bringing them in.
easy natural garland ideas
Buying fresh, premade garland from the store can get expensive, especially if you’re covering a large area. Before you spend a ton of money on store-bought, consider these beautiful DIY natural Christmas garland ideas.
Dried orange slice garland
Dried orange slices are a fun way to add a little natural color to your evergreens. Making dried orange slices is simple. You literally slice them and bake them (low and slow). Try lemons, grapefruits, or blood oranges for color variety.
You can string the dried slices together to use for tree decorating, mantel decor, or even window garlands. Combine the oranges with other natural elements for more interest.
cranberry garlands
Cranberry garlands are bright, festive, and wonderfully old-fashioned. Use a needle and thread and slide through the cranberry where the skin is firmest.
Another option would be to make a garland from popcorn in the same way you would string the cranberries. I also love the look of mixing the two on one garland. It gives an old-fashioned, nostalgic look.
pinecone garland
Pinecones go a long way in natural decorating for the holidays. They are a perfect complement to greenery. I often use my DIY pinecone picks for seasonal decoration, but I also love the look of pinecone garland, like the one above.
Here is another pretty pinecone garland that you can buy, but if you look at the photo, you can see how easy that would be to make yourself.
mixed natural garland
Lastly, combine a few different natural elements to make a mixed natural garland. For example, combine any of the ideas above with fresh evergreens, eucalyptus, cinnamon sticks, etc. You’ve got the idea!
homemade natural ornaments
You can also make your own natural Christmas ornaments, DIY style. There are tons of ways to do so; your imagination is the limit! Here are a few that caught my eye so far this year.
cinnamon salt dough ornaments
Similar to making your own gingerbread ornaments, did you know you can make salt dough ornaments? What’s fun about this is you can create any shape or style you desire!
You can use cookie cutters or cookie molds to make different shapes. Chocolate molds would work for this as well!
twig or branch starts
If you like rustic ornament ideas, this twig star is for you. It’s simple and rustic. In addition to using this on your Christmas tree, you could also make these to attach to wreaths or make a large-sized star to decorate windows.
To make them, break small twigs to size, hot glue them into star shapes, and tie with jute string. These look like something straight out of a Scandinavian Christmas book.
pinecone ornaments
Pinecone ornaments are another easy idea. I like how the one shown above is tipped with white paint and glitter and has a pretty satin ribbon hanger.
mixed greenery bundles
You can create greenery bunches tied with twine to hang on your tree. Even herbs, such as Rosemary, would work.
rustic natural centerpieces and table decor
Creating a stunning natural Christmas centerpiece is also a relatively easy do-it-yourself project!
everygreen arrangements
The evergreen arrangement above is really beautiful! The trick to making an all-evergreen arrangement work is to use different shapes and textures for interest.
foraged branch centerpiece
For a more rustic holiday table, you can simply use branches. When it comes to branches, I like them as tall as possible to really make a statement! You could also spray paint them white or silver for a more winter wonderland look.
Or keep it natural with a few sprigs of greens similar to above.
cranberry Centerpiece
A few years back, I made a cranberry centerpiece for Christmas. I filled a bowl with water and added cranberries with floating candles. It was so simple and still so beautiful.
Another elegant way to make a cranberry centerpiece is to fill a pretty bowl (I really like pedestal-style bowls like this one) and tuck in some small greens, such as Rosemary.
Side tables and shelves
Shelves and side tables are the perfect areas to tuck in little bits of greenery. And just a little goes a long way.
fruit and greenery bowl display
Another natural idea for holiday decor is to use fruit. Think oranges, pears, and pomegranates, for starters. Tuck a few sprigs of natural eucalyptus leaves in with the fruit for even more impact.
For small side tables and coffee tables, you can place tiny bits of evergreens into any container you have. Above, I used a vintage trophy-style cup to display a small clipping.
diy natural wreaths (beginner friendly)
I love all styles of wreaths for Christmas, but none ever seem to make it into my house that aren’t natural. Shown above is a beautiful wreath made from fresh eucalyptus and embellished with bells and ribbon.
For that look, you can look through your own Christmas decorations for embellishment ideas.
The wreath above is sold on Etsy, and it’s a favorite of mine. You could try recreating that look yourself with foraged greenery, ribbon, and small bells. Layering greens such as eucalyptus, cedar, and pine would help to create a similar look.
natural gift wrapping ideas
When you dress your presents in nature-inspired details, even the wrapping becomes a part of the decor. Natural gift wrapping is an easy way to carry that cozy, handmade charm right under the Christmas tree.
This is holiday simplicity at its best.
I always buy solid colored wrapping paper or kraft paper so I can use it for any holiday or occasion. For Christmas, adding a pretty ribbon and natural elements such as small pinecones and greenery is a favorite look. Or tie a gift with twine and dried orange slices.
Another eco-friendly idea is to use fabric scraps as your gift wrap. Sometimes I will use new dish towels as my wrap, and that becomes part of the gift. That is especially effective for wrapping up wine or liquor bottles.
You could also use any paper you have around the house, such as newspaper, book pages, or even old maps. It’s a natural way to recycle.
natural Christmas scents and homemade potpourri
Nothing says “cozy Christmas” quite like the smell of citrus, pine, and spices simmering away. Natural scents and homemade potpourri let you fill your home with them, no synthetic candles needed.
If you do an internet search for simmer pots, the options are never-ending. Apples and cinnamon are a classic option. Or try mixing it up with lemons, limes, or mint leaves.
Much like my side table idea of adding greenery to a pretty vessel, using balsam fir and cinnamon sticks in a pretty bowl will also fill the house with fragrance.
Or try beeswax ornaments infused with essential oils; they’re beautiful, fragrant, and easy to customize in countless ways.
how to style a natural christmas home (pulling it all together)
You’ve got the greenery, the textures, the scents, now let’s weave them into a beautifully natural Christmas home. This is where all those simple touches come together to feel effortless, warm, and wonderfully lived-in.
A beautiful tree really doesn’t need a ton of decor! Let the tree itself be the star with minimal ornaments, like the one above that uses natural elements like dried flowers and magnolia leaves.
Add garlands to mirrors or on top of cabinets for a festive look. For my hutch last year, you can see I used small bits of greenery and pomegranates on the shelves.
I also love amaryllis bulbs for Christmas blooms. Start them now; they take about 6 weeks to bloom. The prices online were shockingly high this year, but I found a 3-pack of waxed amaryllis bulbs at Costco for $21.
And don’t forget the cozy candlelight moments to complement all your beautiful, natural decor this year!
supplies checklist for natural Christmas Decorations
To make natural decorating feel simple (and not like a scavenger hunt), gather a few staple supplies first. This quick checklist keeps everything organized so you can jump straight into the fun part.
- Twine
- Floral Wire
- Evergreens (Pine, Fir, Boxwood)
- Herbs (Rosemary, Mint)
- Oranges, Pears, Pomegranates
- Ribbon
- Pinecones
- Mini bells or ornaments
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Whole Spices
- Gathered Branches
- Pretty Display Bowls/Vessels
The key to a naturally decorated home is restraint. A few thoughtful touches go further than an overload of DIYs. Choose one fruit (or color) to repeat through the house. Mix greenery types for texture.
Don’t be afraid of simplicity; natural decor feels its best when it’s relaxed.
wrapping up with warmth
Natural Christmas decorations are one of those rare things that make your home feel both festive and peaceful. You don’t need expensive decor or trendy color schemes, just a few simple, beautiful materials and a touch of creativity.
If you try any of these ideas, let me know! Or pin this post so you can come back when you’re ready for a cozy day of decorating.
Happy holiday decorating, may your oranges dry quickly and your pine needles stay where they belong… at least for a week!
