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Festive, Foraged, and Fuss-Free: 8 Seriously Easy, Nonchalantly Stylish DIY Holiday Decorations

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Festive, Foraged, and Fuss-Free: 8 Seriously Easy, Nonchalantly Stylish DIY Holiday Decorations

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Festive, Foraged, and Fuss-Free: 8 Seriously Easy, Nonchalantly Stylish DIY Holiday Decorations

December 8, 2023

I’ve been thinking about making festive dried citrus garlands for years. They’re supposed to be an easy DIY project, something even a small child could probably pull off. Yet, they remain on a long list of craft projects that I would like to someday try. Though, not this year. And probably not next year either. The fruit garland may be easy—just not easy enough for me.

How low-effort do I need my DIY projects to be? The other night, I trimmed a branch from our Christmas tree. I didn’t want to just throw it away, so I hung it upside-down from the latch of the gate to our backyard. Instant holiday cheer. That is the level of effort I require from my DIY decorations.

I don’t think I’m alone in my fear of sewing machines and nail guns—which is why I’ve rounded up the most basic (yet elegant) DIY holiday decorations, all using foraged botanicals, from our site. No shopping necessary. No painting required. No YouTube video needed. Enjoy.

1. Gather and display.

Maria Le Mesurier is wiz at decorating her home for the holiday using natural elements she finds on her property. Here, branches of eucalyptus hang in a bunch on the wall. It smells delicious and also dries beautifully,” she says. Photograph by Maria Le Mesurier, from DIY Holiday Decor: Foraged Foliage Decorations in Designer Maria le Mesurier&#8\2\17;s Home.
Above: Maria Le Mesurier is wiz at decorating her home for the holiday using natural elements she finds on her property. Here, branches of eucalyptus hang in a bunch on the wall. It smells delicious and also dries beautifully,” she says. Photograph by Maria Le Mesurier, from DIY Holiday Decor: Foraged Foliage Decorations in Designer Maria le Mesurier’s Home.

2. Tie together and hang.

Justine, our resident crafter extraordinaire, set out to create a more complicated display but realized the eucalyptus branches she bought at Whole Foods were elegant enough to have a starring role on her mantel. Photograph by Justine Hand, from DIY: Minimalist Holiday Mantel, \$\10 Edition.
Above: Justine, our resident crafter extraordinaire, set out to create a more complicated display but realized the eucalyptus branches she bought at Whole Foods were elegant enough to have a starring role on her mantel. Photograph by Justine Hand, from DIY: Minimalist Holiday Mantel, $10 Edition.

3. Stick it in a vase.

A reminder that branches of evergreen in a vase is arresting enough for a holiday table centerpiece. Photograph by Alexa Hotz. You can find this and other truly easy DIY decorations in Single-Ingredient Holiday Decor, \10 Ideas.
Above: A reminder that branches of evergreen in a vase is arresting enough for a holiday table centerpiece. Photograph by Alexa Hotz. You can find this and other truly easy DIY decorations in Single-Ingredient Holiday Decor, 10 Ideas.

4. Lay it on a table.

The DIY votives here may be too hard for me to make, but the garland that bisects the length of this pretty tablescape? That, I can do. Just forage for greenery and lay flat in an artful line. Photograph by Justine Hand, from DIY: Easy Ceramic Votive Holders for a Festive Table.
Above: The DIY votives here may be too hard for me to make, but the garland that bisects the length of this pretty tablescape? That, I can do. Just forage for greenery and lay flat in an artful line. Photograph by Justine Hand, from DIY: Easy Ceramic Votive Holders for a Festive Table.

5. Top with berries.

A bouquet of foraged beautyberries as a Christmas tree topper. Photograph by John Merkl, from DIY: A Woodland Holiday Party (Indoors).
Above: A bouquet of foraged beautyberries as a Christmas tree topper. Photograph by John Merkl, from DIY: A Woodland Holiday Party (Indoors).

6. String them up.

Another fantastically simple idea for Single-Ingredient Holiday Decor. &#8\2\20;It’s nothing more than kitchen string tied around pinecones with stems—the stems are what’s key,&#8\2\2\1; says Margot, whose own pine cone garland stayed up long after the holidays. Photograph via Bob Villa.
Above: Another fantastically simple idea for Single-Ingredient Holiday Decor. “It’s nothing more than kitchen string tied around pinecones with stems—the stems are what’s key,” says Margot, whose own pine cone garland stayed up long after the holidays. Photograph via Bob Villa.

7. Snip and show.

Instead of leaving your poinsettias in their gaudy foil-wrapped plastic pots, cut single stems and insert into multiple bud vases for a stylish holiday arrangement. Photograph by Michelle Slatalla, from Poinsettias: Rethinking a Christmas Cliché.
Above: Instead of leaving your poinsettias in their gaudy foil-wrapped plastic pots, cut single stems and insert into multiple bud vases for a stylish holiday arrangement. Photograph by Michelle Slatalla, from Poinsettias: Rethinking a Christmas Cliché.

8. Prop it up and forget about it.

Tall branches of Scottish spruce lean elegantly against a wall in the powder room. Photograph by Maria Le Mesurier, from DIY Holiday Decor: Foraged Foliage Decorations in Designer Maria le Mesurier&#8\2\17;s Home.
Above: Tall branches of Scottish spruce lean elegantly against a wall in the powder room. Photograph by Maria Le Mesurier, from DIY Holiday Decor: Foraged Foliage Decorations in Designer Maria le Mesurier’s Home.

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