How to Make Your Own Christmas Tree Decorations with Natural Materials
Creating your own Christmas tree decorations with natural materials not only adds a unique, earthy charm to your holiday décor but also provides a meaningful, eco-friendly alternative to store-bought ornaments. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of creative ideas for DIY decorations that incorporate elements from nature, bringing a warm, rustic feel to your Christmas tree.
Not Just As Tree Decorations
Before we start, know that these natural Christmas decorations aren’t just beautiful on the tree, they can be incorporated into your home decor in various creative ways. Dried orange slices, for instance, make charming additions to garlands draped along mantels, window frames, or staircases, where their warm tones add brightness and a touch of holiday scent. Pairing them with cinnamon sticks and pinecones enhances the festive aroma and creates a rustic, wintery display. You could also add a few of these elements to a holiday wreath for a welcoming natural touch at the entrance of your home.
Pinecones with essential oils, dried herb bundles, and star anise clusters can be placed in bowls or arranged on trays to create fragrant, decorative centerpieces for dining tables or coffee tables. Similarly, twig stars and acorn cap bells can be hung from cabinet handles, drawer pulls, or door knobs to bring holiday cheer into unexpected places. Bay leaf garlands are perfect for framing mirrors or artwork, infusing spaces with subtle, earthy aromas while providing a festive touch. These natural decorations not only beautify your home but also fill it with a cozy, seasonal scent, creating a warm and inviting ambiance throughout.
Also check out our article on 15 Easy and Festive DIY Christmas Decoration Ideas for a festive touch to bring the holidays home.
DIY Christmas Tree Decorations with Natural Materials
Here’s a list of natural materials you’ll need for the various tree decorations:
- Oranges – for dried orange slice ornaments
- Cinnamon Sticks – for cinnamon stick bundles
- Cloves – to stud dried orange slices or enhance aroma
- Twine or Jute String – for hanging and bundling ornaments
- Pinecones – for scented pinecone ornaments
- Essential Oils (e.g., cinnamon, pine, clove) – to scent pinecones
- Twigs – for crafting twig stars
- Acorn Caps – for acorn cap bells
- Miniature Jingle Bells – to attach inside acorn caps
- Dried Herbs (e.g., rosemary, thyme, lavender) – for herb bundles
- Walnuts – for walnut ornaments
- Bay Leaves – for a fragrant garland.
- Star Anise – for star-shaped clusters
- Dried Flowers (e.g., baby’s breath, lavender) – to add color and texture
- Salt or Glitter (optional) – to add a frosty effect on pinecones or walnuts
Use this list as a starting point. You may already have some of these at home. If not, use the above as a shopping or to take with you on a foraging trip. The full details on how these can be turned into tree decorations are found below.
1. Dried Orange Slices
Dried orange slices are a classic natural decoration that adds vibrant color and a subtle, citrusy scent to your tree. Here’s how to make them:
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C).
- Slice oranges into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Lay the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 2-3 hours, turning them occasionally until they are fully dried.
- Allow the slices to cool, then use a needle to thread a piece of twine or ribbon through each one for hanging.
It may take a longer time but if you have a dehydrator, it will work just as well. Plus, it won’t get burnt, will maintain its original colour and won’t be unevenly heated in the oven. Add a few cloves to each slice before drying for extra holiday aroma.
Also on the web: Sew Historically – Dried Orange Slices (Oven or Dehydrator)
2. Cinnamon Stick Bundles
Cinnamon sticks bring warmth and a wonderful spicy scent to your tree. Bundling them together is easy and adds a charming touch.
Instructions:
- Gather three cinnamon sticks and bundle them together with a piece of twine or a thin ribbon.
- Tie a bow around the bundle, leaving enough twine to hang them on the tree.
Add a sprig of fresh rosemary or a small dried orange slice to the bundle for a layered look.
3. Pinecones with Essential Oils
Pinecones are easy to find, and when scented with essential oils, they make beautiful, aromatic ornaments.
Instructions:
- Collect pinecones from your yard or a local park and bake them at 200°F (93°C) for 45 minutes to remove any bugs.
- Once cooled, add a few drops of cinnamon, pine, or clove essential oil to each pinecone.
- Attach a small loop of twine to the top for hanging.
For a frosty look, brush the pinecones with a bit of white glue and sprinkle them with coarse salt before adding the essential oil. Depending on the look you are after, you can even spray paint them white, glittering gold or silver for that extra luxurious touch.
4. Twig Stars
Twig stars add a rustic, woodland touch to your Christmas tree and can be customized with different types of twine or paint.
Instructions:
- Collect thin twigs and break them into similar lengths.
- Use hot glue to attach the twigs in a star shape (you’ll need five twigs per star).
- Wrap twine around each intersection to reinforce it and add extra detail.
- Attach a loop of twine at the top for hanging.
You can also paint the stars with white or metallic gold or silver paint for a snowy or festive finish.
5. Acorn Cap Bells or Acorn Cap Snow Balls
Acorn caps are perfect for making tiny bells that add a whimsical feel to your decorations.
Instructions:
- Collect acorn caps and small jingle bells or cotton balls
- Tie a piece of thin twine through each bell and attach it inside the acorn cap with a dab of hot glue. Alternatively replace the bell with a cotton ball.
- Use more twine to create a loop at the top for hanging.
Leave the bells in their natural state, or paint the acorn caps in festive colors like red, gold, or green. You can buy acorn caps in bulks.
6. Dried Herb Bundles
Mini bundles of dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or lavender not only look beautiful but also add a lovely fragrance.
Instructions:
- Gather small sprigs of herbs and bundle them together with twine.
- Leave a loop at the top for hanging.
- Optional: Add a small charm or bell to the base of the bundle.
Use these as a lovely take-home gift for guests to enjoy after the holidays.
7. Walnut Ornaments
Walnuts are festive and can be dressed up with a bit of glitter or natural twine.
Instructions:
- Carefully drill a small hole at the top of each walnut.
- Thread a piece of twine through the hole and tie a knot to create a hanging loop.
- Optional: Brush one side of each walnut with glue and dip it in gold or silver glitter for a little sparkle.
Crack the walnut open carefully, place a small holiday note or treat inside, and then glue it back together for a hidden surprise ornament.
8. Dried Flower Ornaments
Dried flowers add a touch of elegance and a pop of color to your tree.
Instructions:
- Collect small dried flowers, such as lavender, baby’s breath, or hydrangea.
- Bundle a few flowers together and secure them with twine.
- Add a loop for hanging.
Incorporate other natural elements like wheat stalks or small fern leaves for a more layered effect.
9. Star Anise Clusters
Star anise is a beautifully shaped spice with a warm, holiday fragrance. It makes for an eye-catching ornament that adds a touch of spice to your tree.
Instructions:
- Use hot glue to attach several pieces of star anise together in a cluster, creating a small bunch.
- Tie a loop of twine around the cluster for hanging.
- Optional: Dust the cluster with a bit of glitter or brush it lightly with white paint to give it a frosted look.
Combine star anise clusters with cinnamon stick bundles for a layered, aromatic effect. You can also use a polystyrene ball as base structure, colour it brown or gold and cover its surface with star anise for a more substantial ornament. Watch video below from Handcrafted Art.
10. Bay Leaf Garland
A garland made from fresh or dried bay leaves adds a lush, green element to your tree and exudes a lovely, earthy aroma.
Instructions:
- Thread a needle with sturdy twine or thin wire.
- Carefully pierce the center of each bay leaf and slide it onto the twine, arranging them so they overlap slightly, creating a garland effect.
- Once you reach the desired length, knot the ends of the twine to keep the leaves in place.
- Drape the garland on the branches of your tree or twist it around for added greenery.
Add small red berries or dried cranberries between the leaves to create a festive colour contrast. Apart from bay leaf, there are many other natural leads that you can use to turn into garlands. These include evergreens, lavender, myrtle, leather leaf fern and dagger fern. If you live in a more tropical climate, try jade palms, lemon leaf, olive leaves or eucalyptus.
Final Tips for Natural Decorations
When working with natural decorations, a few simple tips can help ensure they stay beautiful throughout the season. For preservation, consider spraying delicate materials like dried oranges or pinecones lightly with hairspray or a clear matte sealant; this can extend their life and keep them looking fresh longer. Simplicity is key with natural decor—avoid over-decorating to let the unique textures and earthy colors of each piece stand out, adding an understated elegance to your space.
Once the holidays are over, practice eco-friendly disposal by composting or recycling these natural ornaments to minimize waste. Crafting your own Christmas tree decorations from natural materials is not only an enjoyable, hands-on project but also a meaningful way to bring nature indoors. These eco-friendly ornaments add warmth, character, and a cozy, handmade feel to your home, making the holiday season even more special. Enjoy the process, and let these natural elements transform your space into a haven of seasonal charm.
We have prepared a downloadable cheatsheet that you can use to quickly reference the different types of natural materials you can pick from the wild, at the park or just outdoor. Use this as a guide to identify the different herbs, twigs, leaves, fruits, nuts and materials to look for.
- Preservation: Many natural materials can be preserved by spraying them lightly with hairspray or a clear matte sealant. This can help them last through the season.
- Simplicity: Don’t over-decorate! Let the natural beauty of each piece shine through.
- Eco-Friendly Disposal: After the holidays, compost or recycle your natural decorations to keep your impact on the environment low.
Making your own Christmas tree decorations with natural materials is a wonderful way to bring a touch of nature into your home. Enjoy the creative process, and let these eco-friendly ornaments add warmth, personality, and a cozy, handmade feel to your holiday season.
Going beyond Christmas Tree Ornaments, check out these easy ways to decorate your house this Christmas on a budget for more ideas to decorate the home.
We leave you with a video by Homedit titled DIY Natural Christmas Tree Ornaments
