Using elements from the earth to make natural Christmas decorations is a great way to reduce waste during the holidays, to show your love for nature, and to make your home smell great naturally.
These DIY natural Christmas decorations are a great eco-friendly alternative to buying cheap, plastic decorations that may break easily and end up in the garbage. Instead, these decorations can be composted!
Oftentimes, you can simply pick up the natural materials required for these DIY projects from your backyard, such as twigs, pine cones, and pine branches.
Ideally, try not to massacre your trees for these, but look on the ground to see what has already fallen off of your trees!
I’ve got a thing for nature and minimalist decor. I just love all things nature-oriented and the simplicity of minimal decorations.
If you feel the same way, you’ll adore these DIY natural Christmas decorations I have rounded up for you below.
In this DIY roundup, there are natural decoration ideas for Christmas tree ornaments, garlands and wreaths!
Here are 14 amazing DIY natural Christmas decorations, many of which are completely biodegradable so you can pop them in your compost bin after Christmas!
DIY Natural Christmas Tree Ornaments
1. Natural Twig Ornaments
This natural DIY Christmas decoration using branches and twine is the perfect addition to your Christmas tree!
What you’ll need:
- Branches or twigs
- Branch cutters
- Glue gun
- Twine
Read this rustic twig ornament tutorial by the DIY Dreamer.
2. Nature Ornaments
Don’t stop with twigs! Get creative and use small pieces of mother nature such as evergreen branches and pinecones, or dried fruit like oranges and apples.
What you’ll need:
- Nature elements
- Twine
- Glue gun
Check out Planted in the Woods for these nature ornament tutorials.
3. Wood Bead Ornaments
These DIY Christmas ornaments are made from wood and painted for a beautiful natural decoration for your tree.
What you’ll need:
- Wooden Craft Beads
- Craft Paint & Brush
- Twine
See the tutorial over at Nalle’s House for more information on how to make these natural wood bead ornaments.
4. DIY Branch Ball Ornaments
For an incredibly easy but pretty DIY, get some clear Christmas tree ornaments and add branches inside of them. Hang it on your Christmas tree or wherever your heart desires.
Image and inspiration from Vtwonen.
5. Clay Christmas Tree Ornaments
These natural Christmas tree decorations using clay are so gorgeous in their simplicity. This DIY is a little time-consuming, but so worth it considering these natural ornaments will last a lifetime!
What you’ll need:
- air dry clay
- wax (or parchment) paper + tape
- rolling pin
- cookie cutters
- basic drinking straw
- small jar filled with water
- ribbon of choice
- & other optional materials
Read the tutorial over at a Pretty Fix to learn how to make these clay Christmas ornaments in five different designs!
6. Homemade Salt Dough Ornaments
If you’re looking for a natural Christmas decoration that will make your home smell incredible, this is the DIY for you.
This tutorial from Compost and Cava infuses fresh herbs to make botanical salt dough ornaments. They’re gorgeous, minimalist, and compostable!
Related Post: 5 Ideas for a Sustainable Christmas Tree
DIY Natural Christmas Garlands
7. DIY Mini Wreath Garland
This mini wreath garland is the perfect natural Christmas decor for any minimalist. It’s so simple to make but still so beautiful!
What you’ll need:
- pine branches or something similar
- floral wire
- jute twine or string
- scissors
Learn how to make this DIY mini wreath garland over at the Merry Thought.
8. Cranberry & Pine Cone Christmas Garland
How pretty is this rustic cranberry and pine cone garland by Clean and Scentsible? This tutorial bleaches the pine cones but you can definitely skip the bleach so can you compost the pine cones afterwards. (Shred the pine cones so that they degrade faster!)
What you’ll need:
- Pine cones
- Jute or thick string
- A bag of cranberries
- Large eye needle
- Felt cut into tiny circles to fit on the bottom of your pine cones.
- Hot glue
9. Cranberry & Orange Natural Garland
Not a fan of pine cones with your cranberry Christmas garland? Switch them out for sliced oranges!
What you’ll need:
- Cranberries
- Oranges
- Needle
- String
See the tutorial for this cranberry and orange garland over at Bluet and Clover.
10. Natural Evergreen Garland
Bring nature indoors this winter with this garland made from foraged evergreens that will liven up your home in both smell and spirit.
What you’ll need:
- At least 1-3 types of greenery (See tutorial for more information)
- 22-gauge floral wire
- Scissors that can cut wire
- 3 Command Hooks or nails
Read the foraged evergreen garland tutorial by the Fresh Exchange to learn how you can make this stunning decoration this holiday season.
11. Wrap Natural Garlands on Mirrors
Get creative with your evergreen garlands, like framing them around the mirror. Such a simple DIY that adds so much character to the room.
Check out The Ginger Home’s minimal holiday home decor tour for even more incredible ideas. You will be in awe!
DIY Natural Christmas Wreaths
12. DIY Citrus & Pine Cone Wreath
Decorating with citrus is a great way to naturally decorate your home during Christmas.
Learn how to make this natural wreath with citrus, pine cones and wood by Lily Ardor.
13. Gold Acorn & Pine Cone Wreath
Decorate a wreath with pine cones and acorns this Christmas for beautifully natural decor. Adding a little gold paint is a great way to make this natural DIY sparkle!
Image and inspiration from Angelina Jollivet via Unsplash.
14. Foraged Triangle Natural Wreath
Who says wreaths need to be circular? This natural triangle wreath is stunning to look at and super easy to make!
What you’ll need:
- Stripped branches
- Evergreen leaves
- Florists wire
- Wire cutters
Learn how to make this foraged triangle Christmas wreath by Fall for DIY to display in your home this Christmas.
15. a Cup of Tree
This mug of nature is simple yet cute and festive.
Just put some foliage like spruce branches, berries, pinecones, etc. into a mug and put it on display. It doesn’t get much more DIY than that.
Final Thoughts on these DIY natural Christmas decor ideas
These homemade natural Christmas decorations are the best types of zero-waste decor for the holidays because they’re either compostable or meant to last a lifetime!
Many of these natural decorations can also simply be returned to the forest after Christmas. It’s a great way to be more eco-conscious during the holidays.
Want to learn other ways that you can have a more sustainable Christmas? Check out my guide for a more eco-friendly Christmas that covers everything you should know!
Which DIY Christmas decor idea is your favorite? Don’t forget to save it!
