There are a ton of reasons I can think of to use natural items for your Christmas decorating! First, let's face it - they are mostly free. Next, they bring a touch of the outside into your home - which is always welcome at this time of year.
Natural decorations abound right in your own yard - all you have to do is open your door! Just about anything you find can be made into a festive arrangement, an ornament or a gift decoration or tag.
If you are short on cash, don't like what you see in the stores, or are just in the mood for something a little different - consider the following options!
Pine Cones
The
first item that comes to mind for me is pine cones. Pine cones are
almost an intrinsic part of the Christmas season. There are so many
shapes and sizes, and so many different things you can do with them!
Being
the “fruit” of most evergreen trees, pine cones naturally go with
Christmas trees. They can be hung “as is” for ornaments, but you
can also paint them in the brilliant colors associated with the
season, Roll them in glue and glitter, cut them apart and use the
“petals” for application on other sorts of ornaments, and even
tuck cotton balls in them to make them look like miniature Christmas
trees!
Pine cones,
plain or painted/glittered, can also be put into a bowl or vase to
serve as a lovely natural reminder that even during the long, cold
days of winter there is both beauty and abundance in nature!
They
also look gorgeous hung from a wide ribbon in the middle of a window.
Try hanging three of varying lengths for a very elegant effect.
Like Walnuts? Why Not Use Them to Decorate?
Next,
we come to nuts. Traditionally, English walnuts were used as
ornaments and decorations. In Victorian times, gilded walnuts were
hung from the tree, and placed in bowls. These days, a can of spray
paint will serve this need inexpensively. (Of course, gold isn't the
only color you can use!)
Yes,
the nuts are still edible – so long as you've chosen to paint those
with no cracks in the shell!
They
also make pretty package decorations, and can be wired to ribbon,
some greenery or even silk flowers for an extra-special touch.
Sprigs of Green from Bushes and Trees
Of
course, sprigs from any evergreen, holly bush or ivy are perfectly
appropriate as well. Hang them in festoons over the top of large
furniture, window and door frames, or place them upright in vases!
You can even hang ornaments and candy canes from them to make them
even more festive.
Consider
wiring sprigs from different evergreens (or all from one kind) into
your own wreath. Forms can be purchased at any craft or department
store. Wire, straw and styrofoam are all readily available – or you
can simply wire them without a frame for a more “free-form”
style. Ribbons, bows, ornaments or sprigs of holly berries will
finish the look.
If
you think ahead in the fall, you can capture dry leaves and dip them
in wax to create ornaments of all varieties! They will even store
well given proper attention and gentle packing. Magnolia leaves have
been used for everything from single-leaf decorations to gilded swags
for windows – and even to make wreaths!
Sprigs
of holly give a nice touch – but be warned... Those thorny leaves
become incredibly hard and sharp when they dry! Yes – worse than
when on the bush. However, paying attention to those fingers when
working with it will go a long way to ensuring beauty without pain!
Sprigs
make lovely package decorations, can be tucked into the tree as
ornaments, and even in a small juice cup as a table decoration. Ivy
works this way as well.
Raid the Produce Section
Fruit
can be dusted with sugar to make it sparkle, and can be in a bowl, on
a bed of greenery, or decorated and hung by ribbon (think pomanders).
Oranges, apples, and grapes are the most popular for this sort of
thing. A wide, clear vase filled with citrus (you don't have to limit
yourself to only oranges!) pomanders is a pretty addition to any
sideboard, and you can be very inventive with patterning. It will
also help to scent the room throughout the holidays.
Once
dry, pomanders can be stored and used again, or simply left where
they are to continue delivering their special magic. They can also be
hung by ribbons to decorate the tree, the window or a door opening –
and even hung from stair rails!
Craft a Few Yourself
Dried and waxed leaves can create wreathes, package decorations, centerpieces and even gift tags. While its a little late for this sort of thing right now, its something to jot down for ideas next fall.
While its a bit off topic here, if you have old clothes or scrap fabrics in holiday colors, cut them up and sew a few items for the tree or mantle! I'm a big fan of recycling, and items I can't donate to a local resale shop usually wind up with a myriad of inventive new lives!
If
you are good with basketry, get some long pine needles and make
miniature baskets! These can hold a single piece of candy, a small
ornament, or dried flowers and look great on the tree.
Need something new to add to a Christmas train under the tree?? With a little glue or resin you can use pebbles and items found in the yard to make buildings, bridges, and even park benches. Use old cans, milk cartons or even a bowl lined with waxed paper as a mold.
Just
about anything you find in your yard can be turned into very festive
natural decorations for the holidays. Even if you live in an
apartment and don't have a yard, many of these items can also be
found at craft stores, and perhaps even on Craigslist or similar
sites!
You might need a little glue, paint or glitter to spruce them up a bit, but you'd be amazed what you can come up with simply by walking out your own back door.
I
hope these ideas have sparked your imagination!! I'll be posting some
more ideas and some simple and easy instructions soon.
Many
Blessings,
GrannySue
PS:
I would love to hear any ideas you have as well! Help me make this
blog into a community, and share your tips and ideas in the comments
below -
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