20 Easy Holiday Decorations to Make Using Natural Elements From Your Yard
on Nov 07, 2024
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Make your own natural Christmas decorations with 20 easy DIY projects using pinecones, twigs & natural elements. Budget-friendly & beautiful!
Looking to create beautiful, budget-friendly holiday decorations this season? Your own backyard might be full of natural materials perfect for crafting festive decor.
From pinecones and twigs to dried fruit and evergreen branches, you can create stunning holiday decorations that bring the beauty of nature indoors while keeping your decorating costs low.
I love homemade Christmas decorations made with natural items that you can collect for free outside! If you’re looking for a simple way to add beauty to your home this Christmas, check out this list of beautiful and simple Christmas Decorations, then head outside and see what you can find! Let your imagination go wild and create some simple beauty this year using any of these ideas for a handmade Christmas.
Quick Summary
Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here are the most important takesaways:
- Transform free natural materials from your yard into beautiful holiday decorations.
- These 20 DIY projects use items like pinecones, twigs, dried fruit, and evergreens to create wreaths, ornaments, centerpieces, and more.
- Most projects require minimal additional materials and are perfect for family crafting sessions.
Want more easy DIY Gift ideas? Read: 31 Easy DIY Photo Gifts for Christmas 2024: Personalized Gift Ideas
What You’ll Need to Make These Christmas Decoratoin
- Natural materials (pinecones, twigs, acorns, evergreen branches)
- Basic craft supplies (glue gun, twine, ribbon)
- Optional materials (burlap, biodegradable glitter, cinnamon sticks)
My favorite natural items to decorate with are sticks, dehydrated fruit (I still have fruit I dehydrated several years ago and it’s beautiful!), acorns, pine cones, cinnamon sticks, and cloves! Add in some simple burlap, pretty sisal rope, and a few other pretties you can buy at the craft store, and you’ve got everything you need to make homemade Christmas Decorations with natural items. Enjoy this list of beauties we found for you!
Homemade Christmas Decorations Made with Natural Items
Creating your own decorations using natural materials isn't just budget-friendlyโit's a wonderful way to bring the peaceful beauty of nature into your home during the holiday season.
These sustainable decorations reduce environmental impact by avoiding plastic and mass-produced items, while also creating meaningful family traditions as you collect materials and craft together.
Plus, natural decorations bring authentic seasonal scents into your home and can be composted after the holidays, making them a truly eco-conscious choice that connects you with nature's rhythms throughout the season.
Create lasting memories with these fragrant ornaments that double as decorations and natural air fresheners. Mix salt dough with holiday spices, cut into shapes, and string into garlands or hang as individual ornaments. Perfect for getting children involved in holiday crafting.
Transform ordinary oranges into stunning translucent decorations that catch the light beautifully. Dehydrate thin orange slices and use them in wreaths, garlands, or as standalone ornaments. These can be preserved and reused for several years.
Gather straight twigs from your yard to create charming star-shaped ornaments. Simply arrange five twigs in a star pattern and secure with twine or hot glue. Add a touch of biodegradable glitter for extra sparkle
Create a modern twist on traditional wreaths using a triangular form. Weave together evergreen branches, pinecones, and dried berries on a triangular wire frame. This contemporary design makes a striking door or wall decoration that stands out from classic circular wreaths.
If you happen to find yourself with a surplus of feathers (thank you backyard fowl!) you can turn embroidery hoops into elegant ornaments using found feathers, dried grasses, and small pinecones. Wrap the hoop with twine or ribbon, then arrange natural elements in an asymmetrical pattern for a bohemian feel.
Get children involved in collecting and decorating pinecones with child-safe, biodegradable glitter. Dip pinecone tips in glue and sprinkle with glitter, or paint them with metallic colors. Add twine loops for easy hanging.
Arrange collected twigs in descending sizes to create miniature Christmas trees. Secure horizontally on a larger vertical twig to form a tree shape. Perfect as ornaments or tabletop decorations.
Combine pressed leaves and flowers with handmade or recycled paper to create delicate ornaments. Press natural elements between paper layers and cut into holiday shapes for a unique blend of paper craft and natural elements.
Create a striking wreath by arranging twigs in a starburst pattern and accenting with natural wool pom poms. This design combines organic elements with cozy textile accents for a modern rustic look.
Transform small logs or thick branches into charming candle holders. Cut to size, drill holes for candles, and optionally decorate with pine sprigs and berries for a festive touch.
Create an elegant alternative to traditional wreaths with a cascading pinecone swag. Arrange pinecones in a graduated pattern, interspersed with evergreen sprigs and secured with natural twine.
Transform fragrant cinnamon sticks into adorable reindeer ornaments using twine, small pinecones for noses, and twigs for antlers. These scented decorations add both charm and holiday fragrance.
Create no-sew stockings using burlap and natural embellishments. Decorate with pinecones, dried orange slices, and evergreen sprigs for a rustic holiday look.
Create no-sew stockings using burlap and natural embellishments. Decorate with pinecones, dried orange slices, and evergreen sprigs for a rustic holiday look.
Combine collected pinecones with burlap ribbon to create a full, textured wreath. Add dried berries, eucalyptus, or evergreen sprigs for extra color and dimension.
Transform acorns into colorful decorations by painting them with metallic colors or natural dyes. String them together for garlands or use individually as tree ornaments.
Create aromatic garlands using dehydrated citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves. String together with natural twine and hang as fragrant holiday decorations.
Make your own holiday scent using pine needles, dried citrus, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Display in wooden bowls or create sachets with natural fiber bags.
Stack graduated sizes of pinecones to create miniature Christmas trees. Secure with hot glue and add small natural elements like dried berries or tiny twigs as decorations.
Combine various found materials like evergreen branches, pinecones, dried berries, and twigs to create a lush, full wreath. Add dried citrus slices and cinnamon sticks for extra holiday charm.
Common Questions About Natural Holiday Decorations
How long will natural decorations last?
Most natural decorations can last through the holiday season and beyond with proper care. Dried materials like pinecones, twigs, and properly dehydrated fruit can be stored and reused for several years. Fresh greenery typically lasts 2-3 weeks indoors.
How do I preserve natural materials for crafting?
Clean materials thoroughly and let them dry completely before using. For pinecones, bake at 200ยฐF for 30 minutes to kill any insects. Fruit should be dehydrated until completely dry. Store finished decorations in a cool, dry place between seasons.
Are natural decorations safe around pets and children?
While most natural materials are safe, some items like holly berries can be toxic. Avoid using toxic plants and secure all decorations properly. If using preserved materials, ensure any treatments used are pet and child-safe.
How do I prepare pinecones for crafting?
Clean pinecones outdoors to remove debris, soak briefly in warm water with vinegar, then bake at 200ยฐF for 30 minutes to open them fully and eliminate pests. Let cool completely before crafting.
What’s the best way to create long-lasting natural garlands?
Use fully dried materials and strong natural twine or wire as your base. Space items evenly and secure well with hot glue or wire. Store flat in a cool, dry place wrapped in paper (not plastic) between seasons.
Which of these natural Christmas Decorations is your favorite? Do you have a link to something you’ve made that would fit will with this list? Leave the URL in the comments!
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I love these!!
So many great things to learn about and do. Thank you