Nature is beautiful, especially at Christmastime. Harness that beauty by using nature for your Christmas decorating ideas. Take a look around you – this time of year is perfect for generating fabulous Christmas decorating ideas! Snow-topped evergreens and pinecones, beautifully fresh citrus fruits, and amazing scented herbs and spices harbor the feeling of the holidays for so many of us. Use that homey feeling when creating natural Christmas decorations. Here are some Christmas decorating ideas for you to consider.
Decorate your Fireplace Mantle with Greenery
Make a quick stop to a live Christmas tree lot and ask if they have discarded greenery that you can take with you. Select lots of different size sprigs and twigs and generously begin to place it on your fireplace mantle. Drop the greenery down a few inches past your mantle but not too close to the fireplace box. Weave in some lights of your choice and repeat this color above the mantle on a simple wreath. Add a text graphic sign to the center of the wreath and you will have a delightful and wonderful scented fireplace mantle that practically costs nothing!
Decorate with Pine Cones
Pinecones look great on trees (nature’s Christmas ornament!), but pinecones also make great and diverse holiday decorations.
Pop in a bit of nature by adding real pinecones to an artificial wreath, garland or other typical Christmas greenery. Make Christmas ornaments for your real or artificial Christmas tree. This is a fun activity to do with your kids or grandchildren too! Gather up pinecones from the yard and paint them or decorate them as your favorite holiday character. Make Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with pipe cleaners and googly eyes. Paint the tips white, use spray-on snow or a bit of Epsom salt to make them look snow-covered. Cover them with glitter to make them shimmer and shine when the Christmas lights hit them. Be creative and have fun! Just remember to glue on the string so you can hang them on your tree!
Fill a bowl. Simple is often best. A fancy bowl or other cylinder filled with pinecones make a memorable yet easy centerpiece. Use extra painted pinecones from your ornaments or use them as nature intended. Add other accents too, such as cranberries, dried pomegranates or oranges, star anise, moss, pine boughs, etc. To add a bit of pizzazz, tie garland or Christmas ribbon around the bowl or cylinder.
Decorate with Cinnamon Sticks
Who doesn’t love the smell of cinnamon in the winter? It’s such a warming scent, especially when added to a cup of hot chocolate that’s enjoyed by a crackling fire.
Gather them. Bundle up those cinnamon sticks and they can be used as a deliciously scented ornament for your tree. They also make a lovely gift wrap decoration or wreath accent. A bundle of cinnamon sticks can be used for a number of different things and the smell makes it extra special. Get thinking and get bundling!
Decorate with Star Anise
Star anise is gorgeous. Mother Nature created a decoration when she made this spice. It is a star-shaped seed pod with the smell and flavor of black licorice and is often used in baking. But it can dress up your home as well!
Press them into dough, ceramic, plaster, etc., to create a festive design. These make great ornaments. Use your favorite ornament recipe (ceramic or dough recipes can be found online) and cookie cutters to make a Christmas ornament. Press the anise into them to create a star shape, bake and cool and they are ready for the tree.
Make potpourri. Add star anise, dried rose petals, cloves, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, nutmeg and cardamon pods, mix together and divide into bowls and you’re done! Not only does it look and smell great in your own home, but it also makes a lovely gift to give to neighbors, party hosts, family members, etc.
Christmas decorating ideas using nature are endless! Let your mind and creativity go wild, like nature, and have fun.
Need help decorating your home this season? See our Holiday Design Services.