Decorating at Christmas time is always a joy and finding natural Christmas decor is even more of a joy! Here are some ways I use natural items to make a festive statement.
I love decorating for Christmas with the natural elements I find around me. Not only does it bring the outdoors inside, but it also means less to store in the off-season because what I pull from nature can be composted later!
Natural Christmas Decor from the Outdoors
I start by taking a walk in the forest to gather branches. I typically choose trees and bushes that are overgrown (I can prune as I go!)
I love spruce, pine and cedar clippings. Not just for the smell but the added greenery and rustic look.
And with plenty of pine trees around we also have pine cones, another great Christmas decor item.
If you are out looking for pine cones it’s good to note that in the cold they will close up but will reopen when warmed. Simply pop them in the oven for a few minutes once you are home and they'll be decorating ready!
Once you have collected all your greenery you can use the tree clippings to start decorating. Try adding them to urns that you can place by your door, use them as table runners down the middle of your holiday feasts, on the mantel of a fireplace or as a garland in any archway or staircase.
Make It Smell Like Christmas Naturally!
I love it when my home smells like Christmas. I don’t want to bake cookies every day or have overly powerful candles burning so I do a simmer pot of wonderful spices and oranges for that added Christmas feel. Grab the recipe here to make your own!
Another great natural Christmas decor item is dried oranges. I love drying orange slices to add to the greenery I put around the house.
All you have to do is slice some large oranges thinly and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet or on an oven-safe cooling rack. Preheat oven to 175 and place the trays of oranges on the middle rack. After 2 hours flip the oranges and continue cooking for around 4 more hours until they have turned almost brown and have dried.
For an easy festive arrangement, lay the tree cuttings throughout the house, add a pine cone or two and some dried oranges and voila, an easy but decorative space ready for Christmas! If you want to get fancy, add some battery-operated lights for that cozy Christmas aesthetic.
Jar Decor
I also put together jars with pine needles and lemon slices, another double-duty decor item because once it has sat as a centerpiece item for a few weeks it can be used as a natural cleaner. At the end of the season, when I put away my Christmas decor I have a new natural cleaner ready for the new year!
Recycle
I also love going to thrift stores and perusing the shelves. You never know what you will find. I typically search out Christmas novels to decorate with but then also enjoy reading through the winter.
Try It For yourself!
Get creative and use some natural items around your home this holiday season. Take your kids on a walk to collect pine cones or get some branches from a tree in your yard to add to a bookshelf or mantel. Bring the outdoors inside and find natural ways to decorate this holiday season!
Don’t forget to stop in and see what greenery we have available at Generations Marketplace. Or take a look at what we’ve done for inspiration. Grab some Christmas scones or cookies while you're here to share with friends and family!
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