A Holiday Guide to Beautiful DIY Decorations, Inspired by Nature

Nature provides us with so many incredible resources that make beautiful decorations. These quick, cheap, DIY beauties make perfect activities for the whole family, especially for those long winter breaks when the kids are restless. We invite you to spruce up your home with the perfect DIY nature ornaments that are sure to bring joy to you and yours! Grab the kids, scissors, and glue and let’s get crafty!

1: Beautiful Pinecone centerpiece

What you need:

• A Bowl
• Pinecones
• Nuts (optional)
• Dried fruit (optional)
• White, Non-toxic acrylic paint

Instructions:

1. Collect some pinecone
2. Dry brush them clean using an old toothbrush, or wash them and let dry. (pinecones can sometimes close up after they get wet, and open again once they are dry, so plan ahead if you decide to wash them.)
3. Grab a container to mix the paint and dip the pinecones in (you can use rubber gloves but the paint is non-toxic and easy on the skin)
4. Mix 1 part water with 1 to 2 parts paint depending on how thick the paint is. 
5. Let dry and then place in the decorative style of your choice

2. DIY Snowy Pinecones & Branches

What you need:

• Pinecones
• Branches (cluster of leaves or really anything you would like to snow)
• Salt ( Epsom salt or Kosher salt)
• Craft glue (Preferably one that dries on transparent like mod podge or Elmer’s glue)
• Paint Brush (a 1 1/2inch- 2-inch brush is good)

Instructions:

1. Collect your pine cones/branches
2. Dry brush them clean using an old toothbrush, or wash them and let dry. (pinecones can sometimes close up after they get wet, and open again once they are dry, so plan ahead if you decide to wash them.)
3. Coat the edges of a pinecone, branch, or clusters of leaves with a generous coat of the glue of your choice.(some spots will have little puddles of glue, which is fine). They will look like thick snow later.
4. Take a handful of salt, sprinkle onto the glue coated surface as you rotate the pine cone or branch. Don’t touch the glue and salt coated surface.
5. Let dry for 10 minutes and shake off excess salt for that snowy look.

3. Wooden Wall Hanging (My Favorite)

What you need:

• Wooden branch (1 1/2 -3 inch or as thick as you would need to support your items)
• String (Either yarn or transparent string)
• Dried fruit or shapes you would like to hang
• Scissors
• Needle

Instructions:

1. Grab your desired branch
2. Make a hole in the object you’re trying to hang with either scissors or a needle depending on the size of your object (a hole at the top of your fruit for example)
3. Cut your yarn to the desired length
4. Insert the yarn within the hole you created in object and make a knot with that end to support and sustain the object.
5. Using the other end of the yarn wrap that around your wooden branch and create a knot.
6. Cut a piece of yarn to your desired length and attach one end of your cut yarn to each end of the branch by wrapping it around and creating a knot to secure it for optimal hanging capabilities.

4. DIY Christmas Wreath

What you need:

• Wire base (found at hobby lobby or any decor store and this specific wreath can be found here )
• Your preference of leaves (Holly, Eucalyptus, berries) and even branches
• Scissors
• Floral wire

Instructions:

1. Collect your desired things to put on your wreath (Holly, berries, leaves, pine cones.etc)
2. Layout your wire base and plan where you want your items located
3. First, if you’re using branches, lay them along your base and tie them with the wire.
4. Layer your leaves and tie them one again( this is a layering act so be ready)
5. Layer on your holly and berries and tie once again with wire to the base
6. Finally, enjoy your lovely wreath!

5. DIY Christmas floating candles

What you need:

• Mason Jar
• Evergreens, Holly
• Water
• Candle

Instructions:

1. Grab mason jar and materials
2. Fill your jar with your greens at the bottom and holly at the top
3. Fill your jar with water
4. Place your candle in the center of the jar
5. Finally, light up for a beautiful holiday table accent piece.
6. Optional twist: You can make your jars look snowy by placing Epsom salt around the rim before placing your greens in for a winter wonderland theme!

I hope this post has inspired your holiday spirit and sparked your inner naturalist. Happy DIY-ing!

We LOVE seeing your pics! Share your creations with us by using the hashtag #beautybyearth or tagging us on Facebook or Instagram (@beautybyearth).

All the pinecone and sparkles love,

Kim