18 Simple Natural Christmas Decor Ideas You Can Do Yourself
Whenever I think about Christmas, I think about the Charles Dickens era Christmases, the Colonial Williamburg Christmases, and the Little Women Christmases.
None of them were plastic or store-bought. They were foraged, crafted, made with careful hands while loved ones gathered around to spend quality time together.
Gosh that’s the good stuff! And to me, those natural Christmas decorations from the bygone days feel like a big hug from the moment I see them.
The best part? Despite being more beautiful than any store-bought Christmas decor, they can cost next to nothing! (Especially if you have access to places you can forage.)
How to Make Natural Christmas Decorations
As a starting point, see how to How to Dry Fruit and Preserve Leaves for Natural Christmas Decor here.
My family and I have woven plenty of natural elements into our holiday decor over the years, so I pulled together lots of details you can make yourself.
The end result is stunning and, as a bonus, so many of these natural Christmas decorating ideas make the house smell delicious. And since they’re all biodegradable, they cause zero waste in landfills. Win/win/win!
1. String Dried Orange Garland
Making dried orange garland has sort of become a tradition at our house over the years. (If you don’t want to dry orange slices yourself, you can be readymade dried orange slices ready to hang.)
String them up with cotton twine or simply attach them to your store-bought artificial greenery using wire ornament hooks.
Related: Vintage Christmas Decor Favorites That Never Go Out of Style
2. Make Pomanders
If you’ve never made pomanders, they smell like quintessential Christmas.
Using a pin or the end of a paper clip, poke holes all over a whole orange, making a pattern, if you choose. Then, force whole cloves into the holes.
They make your whole house smell sweet and spicy, and you can display them anywhere.
3. Put Pine Cones in a Bowl
Pine cones are so simple but it’s the best little natural element you can forage.
Bake them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes to display them in bowls or nestle them into a wreath.
4. Force Paperwhite Bulbs
You can enjoy paperwhite narcissus flowers all winter long. Here is how to force paperwhite bulbs to grow indoors. Grab a pretty bowl, add rocks, water, and bulbs, then watch the magic happen.
5. Weave Real Leaves Into Fake Garland
This is my favorite trick to make fake cheap garland look real!
- Cut some fresh leafy stems (like eucalyptus or magnolia)
- Preserve the leaves in glycerin or spray them with Wilt Stop for longevity, if desired.
- Attach stems to the fake garland using florist wire.
You can also add fresh berry clusters, pine cones, dried fruit, etc.
Related: How to Make Beautiful DIY Mantel Garland for Christmas
6. Add Cinnamon Sticks
It’s so easy to get cinnamon sticks in bulk to nestle inside of wreaths, garlands, and Christmas trees.
You can even tie cinnamon sticks around pillar candles with twine to activate their smell even more when warmed up.
7. Set Up a Sangria Bar
I guess this is more like decor and drink all-in-one, but a Christmas sangria bar is a good idea for any gathering. Fill bowls with cranberries, orange slices, pomegranate seeds, and cinnamon sticks so guests can craft their cocktails.
8. Make an Evergreen Runner
Budget Tip: Sometimes Christmas tree lots will give away their tree clippings for free! You just have to ask. You bought a Christmas tree anyway, so you might as well take home the extra greenery when they trim the trunk.
Spread out the evergreen trimmings on the middle of your dining table, add some candlesticks, and you’re done.
9. Display Pomegranates
Pomegranates are like nature’s ball ornaments. They’re so pretty everywhere! I love displaying some in a bowl on a tabletop.
Related: How to Mix Old Sentimental and New Decor & Our Swedish Christmas
10. Cut Juniper
I totally cut these juniper berries from a tree in a parking lot (but I had permission, I swear). If you want a pop of blue in your Christmas decor, juniper is beautiful sprinkled anywhere.
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11. Hang Fresh Garland
Spray fresh garland with Wilt Stop to make it last longer and enjoy. They don’t need anything extra to be beautiful.
Related: How to Hang Garland on Stairs + Entryway Christmas Decor
12. Add Pine Cones to Gift Wrap
Sprinkle pine cones everywhere! But especially on wrapped presents with a strand of cotton ribbon because it’s just too adorable.
13. Embellish an Advent Candle Holder
This candleholder was my grandmother’s, and I love wrapping fresh evergreen branches around it every year.
You can find all kinds of vintage Advent candleholders in antique shops or on Etsy, and they make beautiful centerpieces on round dining tables especially.
Related: Advent Bible Verse Christmas Story Countdown Printable
14. Mix In Blooms
Next time you’re at the grocery store, grab a bundle of roses to mix in with some fresh cedar in a vase. The combination is divine!
15. Use Rosemary on Place Settings
Tie a stem or two or rosemary into a circle or heart shape for the sweetest little mini wreath to put at each place setting on your dining table for Christmas Eve dinner.
(Side note: jingle bells make great place card holders, if you want to be extra fancy about it.)
16. Hang Evergreens From Chandeliers
Loop a strand of evergreen garland or some branches around the arms of your chandelier. If you need to, you can secure it with a little florist wire, but mine did just fine placed on top.
17. Display Fresh Garland Around Doorways
Frame your doorways with evergreen garland using Command hooks. If you want to add some twinkle, weave a strand of battery operated fairy lights throughout.
18. Make Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough is so fun to make, and adding cinnamon smells amazing. Add some white puffy paint to make cinnamon salt dough ornaments look like gingerbread cookies.
Do you use any natural Christmas decor in your house? We’re always looking for more.
I’m not usually a crafty person, but when it comes to Christmas and nostalgic nature details, I’m willing to make an exception.
More Cheap Christmas Ideas
- DIY Christmas Decorations You Can Make Inexpensively
- 115 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
- 18 Christmas Wall Decor Ideas and Holiday Art Printables
- 100 Best Cheap Gift Ideas for Christmas Under $25
- Quick DIY Mason Jar Gift Ideas
