Natural Christmas Decor Ideas

These natural Christmas decorating ideas are sure to inspire! Find inexpensive (some are free!) natural Christmas decor that is fun, creative and beautiful.

This round up features many of my most popular holiday decorating ideas over the past decade and beyond. You’ll find ideas for natural Christmas decor that can grace any corner of your home, indoors or out!

This post was originally published December 14, 2011 and is continually updated with new content. Newest update November 2021.

I truly enjoy sharing my favorite holiday ideas with you. I love all the holidays, and I treasure the time we spend decorating and celebrating these special times of year.

However, every year I find myself looking for simpler, more minimalist holiday inspiration. While I appreciate that more is better for so many, my personal decorating philosophy is much more functional, streamlined and minimalistic.

That’s why I knew this round-up of natural Christmas decor ideas would resonate with some of you! It is possible to celebrate your favorite time of year without hauling a dozen plastic totes down from the attic… and I’m excited to show you how!

Last year’s guide to 30 Easy Christmas Decoration Ideas was such a hit on social media! This year, I am focusing on fresh, natural Christmas decor that is sure to inspire you.

Natural Christmas Decorating

I’ve long been inspired by nature in our home decor. I love treating myself to fresh flowers from the grocery store, and adding elements that bring the outdoors in. Don’t skip natural fall decorating ideas if you’re inspired in the same way!

There are so many ways to bring the beauty of the outdoors into your home during this season. Whether it’s with flowers, branches, garlands, wreaths, or just little vases full of beauty, I know you’ll love these ideas!

Make Your Own Wreath

It’s so easy! Forage your yard, hardware store or purchase greenery at your grocer to create a beautiful one-of-a-kind wreath! Learn how to make a wreath here.

Replace Art with a Wreath

This is one of my favorite holiday decorating tricks! And it’s so easy to do, because you’ve already got a hook or nail in that spot, right?

Try this technique for dressing up a Christmas wreath, or make this DIY Christmas Wreath for a fun project.

Add Pinecones to a Bowl or Foot Bath

Each year we have the girls scour our property to collect pine cones. They’re so pretty displaced in bookcases or bowls, or as part of an arrangement! PS you can bleach them for a coastal look.

Add Branches to a Vase

Pine, cedar, olive, magnolia…add your favorites to a vase for a simple long-lasting centerpiece! Add smaller branches for baths, side tables, nightstands and more.

Make a Magnolia Garland

I created Magnolia Garlands for both fireplaces in our Kansas colonial home. As you can see, we didn’t have a mantle {or shelves} for the fireplace below.  

This garland gave us the opportunity to create the look of a traditional fireplace mantel without much effort.

My mom loved to ice skate.  I hung a pair of her vintage skates in memory of her.  

Add Greenery in Unexpected Places

I love adding a touch of greenery or berries to the light fixtures throughout our home. It adds the sweetest touch of whimsy and charm, and works beautifully on our lanterns, sconces and chandeliers.

Read more about our brass lighting here. In my opinion, brass is always the prettiest backdrop for natural Christmas decor.

Make a Wreath with Garden Stems

This project is so simple, anyone can do it! Simply choose flexible stems from your garden landscaping and follow this easy tutorial.

Add a Wreath to a Bench

Sometimes simple is simply the best! One of my favorite natural Christmas decoration ideas is just to add a wreath with a ribbon on your front porch bench.

60 seconds of effort add a lot of charm – and no new nail holes required!

Create a Topiary

Make Paper Snowflakes

Okay, okay… these snowflakes aren’t exactly found in nature. But paper is a natural material, of course! And these are fun, charming when hung in bedrooms, windows and doors, and they are practically free.

What’s better than a project your kids can help you with?

Add Greenery to Stockings

It’s the simplest way to bring a little of the outdoors in. And so inexpensive… even free if you use greens from your yard!

Adding a little touch of greens to your stockings adds depth, texture and fragrance to your home.

Use Greenery on Gifts

Use these sweet printable gift tags for your gifts to help customize each one. Then add a little touch of fragrant eucalyptus or olive branches to help the recipient feel truly special!

Add a Branch

A branch makes a beautiful swag for your range hood – you can often find one in your own backyard, but you can also ask your local nursery or hardware store for clippings from Christmas trees.

Another idea is to use a bunch of branches to fill a vase!

Add Firewood in a Basket

This is such a utilitarian way to add warmth and charm to your home for the holidays. Firewood is the perfect rustic, cozy touch to any space, whether it’s a front porch or near your wood burning fireplace.

Fill your Fireplace with Logs

Want to do more than just a basket full of firewood? If you don’t have a working fireplace, this look might be perfect for you!

Stacking your logs creates such a pretty, textured statement in a room. It’s a cozy natural Christmas decorating idea everyone will love!

Pot Paperwhites

Paperwhites are such a fragrant, festive way to celebrate the season. Learn how to pot these inexpensive bulbs in any of your favorite festive containers.

Cut a Poinsettia for Natural Christmas Decor

These gorgeous holiday blooms are always so festive as a traditional plant. You can of course place one of these beauties in any room of your home, in a basket or pot.

However, I love creating something a little unexpected by cutting them into sections and using them down the center of your Christmas dining table! Get this poinsettia centerpiece tutorial here.

Add Poinsettias

They’re perfect on a table, flanking a fireplace and so much more!

Use Garland for a Simple Table Setting

Of course we all love traditional holiday greens, right? But again… consider using these fragrant natural Christmas decor items in an unexpected way.

Unroll your garland down the center of your table for a fragrant, vibrant centerpiece that can last for weeks.

Make a Pinecone Garland

This is the ultimate natural Christmas decor idea! Gather pinecones from your yard, or a walk through your local park.

String them together with twine using this tutorial. It’s a look that lasts for ages and you can even use it next year!

DIY Birch Vase

This idea is so charming and such a gorgeous look for your kitchen island, dining table and more.

Create your own DIY birch log vase with this simple tutorial.

Make Salt Dough Ornaments

It’s such a fun family activity – you can even add it to your advent calendar!

Make Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

Another easy diy that adds a beautiful scent to your home!

Favorite Holiday Greenery to use in Natural Christmas Decorating

Many of the ideas above include holiday greenery. And in fact, lots of these options are available at your local grocery store! Don’t skip this post about Trader Joe’s Flowers for more inspiration.

While I’m always a fan of gathering greens from your own backyard, here are a few of my favorite types of greenery to inspire you in your natural Christmas decorating adventures.

• Eucalyptus – of course, I use this year round
• Cedar
• Juniper
• Olive branches
• Dried Flower Arrangements
• Salal
• Ruskus
• Pine branches
• Fir branches

What do you think? Did any of these fun natural Christmas decor ideas inspire you for your holiday decorating? I’d love to hear from you!

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• Winter Decor
• Traditional Christmas Decorations
• Scandinavian Christmas Decorations
• Sparse Christmas Trees
• Popcorn Garland
• Fairy Light Trees
• Red Wine and Chocolate Gift Basket
• 15 of the Easiest DIY Christmas Centerpieces
• Thoughtful Hostess Gifts
• Christmas Cocktails
• DIY Christmas Hand Towel