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  1. Midwest Living
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  4. Nature-Inspired Christmas Decorations

Nature-Inspired Christmas Decorations

By Midwest Living editors Updated November 05, 2022
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twig holiday decorations
Credit: Thayer Gowdy

Start with evergreens, flowers and fruits to make nature-inspired Christmas decorations for your mantel, table or tree. These natural touches are perfect for last-minute decorating!

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Decorate With Boughs

twig holiday decorations
Credit: Thayer Gowdy

Who hasn't snapped a twig or two off the Christmas tree while shimmying it through a doorway? Put those sprigs to use on a mantel, sideboard or shelf as birch "trees."

Using a bit that matches the stem's diameter, drill holes 1/2 inch or so into birch discs (available at crafts stores). Insert clippings. If needed, apply a dab of glue around stems to secure. Then arrange the trees on a tray or pedestal and add candles. Turn extra pine sprigs into boho tassels by inserting them (with lower needles removed) about ½ inch into frayed rope ends, wrapping embroidery thread tightly around the end to keep them in place. For a mottled effect, float (not submerge) a loose ball of cotton rope in fabric dye for 24 hours.

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Globe luminaria

Ice luminaria
Credit: Ackerman + Gruber

What could be more natural in winter than decorating with ice? A globe luminaria starts out as water inside a punching balloon, then turns into a sparkling globe with a little help from Old Man Winter. See how to make a globe luminaria and other luminaria projects.

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No-Fuss Festivity

No-fuss festivity

Sprigs of evergreens fill a collection of plain glass vases for clearly inspired decor.

Related: Easy Holiday Decorating with Glass

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Pine Fresh

Pine fresh

Norfolk Island pines in ceramic pots make a pretty focal point when dressed with sparkly ornaments.

Related: Decorate with Tiny Christmas Trees

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By the Stem

By the stem

Amaryllis flowers include both single and double forms and 2- to 10-inch flowers. These cut blooms of (from left) 'Nymph', 'Apple Blossom' and 'Picotee' naturally shine on a moss-lined green shutter. Snip when buds just start to unfurl. Cut amaryllis lasts up to two weeks if you trim the stems every few days to assist water absorption. Slide a thin dowel inside the hollow stem for support, and plug the base with a wet cotton ball, which draws water to keep the flower moist.

Related: Easy and Elegant Amaryllis Displays

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Lantern Light

Christmas centerpiece ideas: lantern

Surround lanterns with fresh greenery and pinecones for a classic, elegant centerpiece.

Related: Pinecone Crafts and Decorations You'll Want to Try

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Deck the Banister

Deck the banister

Natural birch branches form the backbone of this project (but you could use redtwig dogwood or other branches). For added drama, cut the branches longer so they're taller than your banister, or include more bunches. Use thin florist's wire to lash them to the banister posts along with evergreens (in this case, noble fir) and twigs of bright red winterberries. Matte and glossy chartreuse ornaments add another dimension. Tie it all back with a velvet chartreuse ribbon. Making a bow is optional.

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Sparkling Accents

Sparkling accents

Curiosities such as milk starbursts grab attention in a centerpiece of pinecones and greens. Repurpose serving pieces as candleholders and tiny planters to add charming interest.

Related: 50 Easy Christmas Centerpiece Ideas

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Easy-Fill Ornaments

Easy-fill ornaments

Nestle special "ingredients" inside ball ornaments for thoughtful, budget-friendly party favors or decorations. You can use wintry natural materials like we did, or let your imagination fly.

What you'll need
Plastic ball ornaments
Artificial snow
Pinecones
Pine tree clippings
Feathers
Ribbon

Instructions
Place items inside one ornament half. (Leave them loose, or secure with a dot of hot glue.) Top with the other half, string with ribbon, and presto, you're done!

Related: Easy Homemade Christmas Ornaments

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Create a Scene

Create a scene

Make a charming winter scene inside a glass bowl using faux snow, spruce or fir spigs, and props such as artificial birds and a nest (from crafts stores), along with mini ornaments.

Related: 50 Quick and Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas

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Natural Wreath

Natural wreath

Wood slices make a pretty, natural-looking and long-lasting wreath. Glue 20 wood slices to the front of a flat wooden wreath form, putting 10 on the first layer and 10 on the second, with the top layer arranged so the slices partially overlap the ones on the bottom. Glue burlap and wire-edged ribbon onto part of the wreath and cover with pinecones, artificial berries and greenery. Attach ribbon to hang.

Related: Beautiful Holiday Wreaths

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Tiny Tannenbaums

Tiny tannenbaums

Clipped greens (in floral foam) displayed in egg cups make a mini forest when grouped on a silver tray. A strand of starry lights adds sparkle.

Related: Decorate with Tiny Christmas Trees

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Bowlful of Nature

Bowlful of nature Christmas decoration pinecones
Credit: Kevin Miyazaki/Redux

Layer pinecones, rose hips, dried pomegranates, sweetgum pods and moss for this easy look.

Tip Use materials from your garden first, then accent with others shown here (available at crafts stores or through your local florist).

Related: Cheerful Winter Container Gardens

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Nonstop Color

Nonstop color
Credit: Courtesy of Terrain

Eye-catching amaryllis bulbs dipped in colored wax mark a new trend; look for them at garden centers or online. The coating restricts root growth so plants are shorter than average and live just one season, but serious advantages include a fresh presentation style and no need for water, sunlight, soil or the proverbial green thumb. Of course, the traditional method of growing bulbs in glass forcing vases continues to appeal with classic beauty and repeat seasons.

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Branch Out

Branch out

Need something above your buffet? Hang Christmas cards, embellished tags and ornaments from a single evergreen branch tacked to the wall.

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Firebox Finery

Firebox finery

Wrap wide green ribbon in bands around a square vase, then fill with decorated winterberry branches. Simple red votives with white candles provide a glow at a safe distance.

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Bright Spot

Bright spot

Bring a woodland scene inside. Gather bare branches from the garden, and arrange them in a narrow glass vase filled with artificial snow. More "snow" (cotton tufts) drifts on branches. Cardinals alight as if to gather the bright berries that we cut from faux sprays and wired on. Give the birds another landing spot with a nest on the sill.

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Dress Up Fruit

Dress up fruit

An easy centerpiece starts with a bowl of fruit. Add tabletop flair to apples by inserting bronze brads (available at crafts stores) in a variety of patterns.

Related: Easy Christmas Crafts

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Good to Grow

Good to grow

Amaryllis turns heads with its bold midwinter flowers. Group different types of amaryllises for a striking display. This tableau includes, from left, 'Summertime'; budding 'Faro', which will open with a green eye in a white starburst on salmon petals; and the spider-flower cybister variety 'Evergreen'. 

Related: Tips for Displaying and Growing Amaryllis

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Dramatic Entry

Dramatic entry

Fresh greenery and an eye-catching sled create a dramatic entry. Tip: Buy two imperfect trees, cut off the branches to fill window boxes, then place the tree tops in planters.

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Bedeck Worn-Out Boots

Bedeck worn-out boots

Have a pair of winter boots you don't wear? Dress them up with twigs, greens and ribbon for a welcoming display.To protect boots, line with plastic bags. Add rocks in the foot to keep the boots from tipping. Insert twigs and small evergreen branches. Tie ribbon around each boot, tucking a sprig of evergreen in the bow.

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Fragrant Decor

Fragrant decor

For a fragrant chair-back decoration, bundle bay leaf, thyme, rosemary and marjoram with twine. Bouquets can be made several days in advance, then refrigerated. Once dry, use them for cooking!

Related: Festive Holiday Tables

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Float a Flower

Floating flowers

Create a fluid floral centerpiece with a 17-inch-wide glass bowl and flowers in floating glass tea-light holders.

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Candy Fun

Candy fun

Add your own touch to an evergreen wreath by crafting pieces of "candy" from felt or other material you have at home. Tie with red twine or ribbon.

Related: Beautiful Holiday Wreaths

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Ice Shards

Ice shards

Freeze cranberries with just enough water to cover them, then add pieces to your ice bucket.

Related: Holiday Decorating with Cranberries

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Tower of Apples

Christmas centerpiece ideas: apples

Green apples are the perfect hue for an easy Christmas display. Fill a glass jar with apples; mix in loose greens for a wintry feel. Place container on a beveled edge mirror (that serves as a table runner). Fill in with additional greens, ball ornaments and candles of different sizes.

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Cranberry Glow

Christmas centerpiece ideas: cranberry candle

For quick holiday color, surround a cranberry-color candle inside a glass cylinder with fresh cranberries. Add a few sparkly ornaments around the base, and you're done!

Related: Decorating With Holiday Candles

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Touch of Glass

Touch of glass Christmas decoration with snow-dusted pinecone

For easy elegance, showcase oversize pinecones under cloches. A dusting of faux snow adds wintry sparkle.

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Photo Display

Photo display

Stems with just a few leaves or berries make natural holders for family photographs. Tie branches with twine and add evergreen tassels; insert photos in the branches, clipping them on if needed to hold in place.

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Natural Touches

Christmas centerpiece ideas: tulips and pinecones

Wintry white tulips lend a soft touch to this natural holiday centerpiece. Fill varying sizes of glassware with fresh flowers and arrange around metallic-sprayed pinecones and silvery ornaments.

Related: Festive Holiday Tables

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Tie Twigs

Twig door decoration

A bundle of brown twigs makes a great hanging decoration to put on a door or above a mantel. To secure, wrap a wide rubber band around twig ends. Tuck one branch of greens, such as eucalyptus, inside the rubber band for color. Cover the rubber band with a ribbon.

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Easy Flower Arrangement

Christmas centerpiece ideas: carnations
Credit: Kimberly Cornelison

Create your own customized flower composition by covering coffee cans with wrapping paper and embellishing them with ribbon. Fill with inexpensive white carnations and baby's breath, plus evergreens cut from your yard.

Related: Throw a Holiday Party on a Budget

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Fruit Fillers

Christmas centerpiece ideas: fruit and candles

Place pillar candles, evergreen branches, pinecones and clementines on a beveled-edge mirror for a nature-inspired tabletop arrangement. Don't like orange? Bring in green pears or red apples for traditional holiday color.

Related: Easy Christmas Centerpiece Ideas

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Vase and Garland Ideas

Vase and garland ideas

Vases of Red: Carry a theme throughout your decor by using variations of similar materials. We filled clear glass vases of varying shapes and sizes with red flowers and berries, using only one type per vase: amaryllis, winterberry or tulips. The winterberry branches are strong enough to support a few small ornaments.

Fresh Garland: For an alternative to evergreens, make garlands from fresh bells of Ireland. Cut 1-inch sections of the stalks, which have green florets. The hollow stalks are the tubes through which you thread string or yarn. Fresh florets last about a day. When dry, push flowers together.

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Flower "Presents"

Flower "presents"

These cute packages take time, but they're easy to make. Cut a block of floral foam into the size you wish. Cut the heads off chartreuse 'Kermit' button mums. Stick a pearl-headed pin through the center of each flower to secure it to the foam. Wrap red velvet ribbon around the finished package, or just add a bow on top. The flowers stay fresh for about three days.

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Cranberry Flower Cylinders

Cranberry flower cylinders

Start with cylinders of varying heights. Place red flowers, such as roses and amaryllises, and greenery in a metal flower frog. Attach the frog inside the cylinder using double-sided florist's tape. Cover the flowers with water, float cranberries on top and place a floating candle amid the berries. Change water daily. The piece should last up to seven days.

Related: Holiday Decorating with Cranberries

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Pretty Paperwhites

Christmas centerpiece ideas: paperwhites

Place paperwhites in a large compote or bowl. Cover the potting soil with mini ball ornaments in colors that coordinate with your holiday scheme.

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Display Your Favorites

Apple basket

Turn a shallow basket or tray into a fun arrangement for your dining or coffee table. We arranged rows of feathery moss, smooth stones, green apples and spiky pinecones, but use what's easily available to you: other fruits or vegetables, ornaments or bits of nature.

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    1 of 38 Decorate With Boughs
    2 of 38 Globe luminaria
    3 of 38 No-Fuss Festivity
    4 of 38 Pine Fresh
    5 of 38 By the Stem
    6 of 38 Lantern Light
    7 of 38 Deck the Banister
    8 of 38 Sparkling Accents
    9 of 38 Easy-Fill Ornaments
    10 of 38 Create a Scene
    11 of 38 Natural Wreath
    12 of 38 Tiny Tannenbaums
    13 of 38 Bowlful of Nature
    14 of 38 Nonstop Color
    15 of 38 Branch Out
    16 of 38 Firebox Finery
    17 of 38 Bright Spot
    18 of 38 Dress Up Fruit
    19 of 38 Good to Grow
    20 of 38 Dramatic Entry
    21 of 38 Bedeck Worn-Out Boots
    22 of 38 Fragrant Decor
    23 of 38 Float a Flower
    24 of 38 Candy Fun
    25 of 38 Ice Shards
    26 of 38 Tower of Apples
    27 of 38 Cranberry Glow
    28 of 38 Touch of Glass
    29 of 38 Photo Display
    30 of 38 Natural Touches
    31 of 38 Tie Twigs
    32 of 38 Easy Flower Arrangement
    33 of 38 Fruit Fillers
    34 of 38 Vase and Garland Ideas
    35 of 38 Flower "Presents"
    36 of 38 Cranberry Flower Cylinders
    37 of 38 Pretty Paperwhites
    38 of 38 Display Your Favorites

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