DIY Christmas Decorations

Here in New England, we have no shortage of fallen pine cones, acorns, twigs and branches. If you take a few moments to collect these gifts from nature, you can soon be decorating your home for the holidays in a true New England garden style. DIY Christmas decorations are a fun and inexpensive activity to do with friends and family, and the end results are beautiful, homemade decorations that can be given as gifts or displayed year after year.

HOW TO MAKE DIY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

DIY Christmas Decorations | Supplies                                                                                 

• Pine cones in various shapes and sizes, acorns with caps intact, and small fallen branches and twigs
• Metallic silver and gold spray paint
• Tacky glue
• Small paint brush
• Silver and gold glitter
• Twine

DIY Christmas Decorations | Collecting Tips

Acorns: When collecting acorns, select those with their cap still intact and avoid choosing any with small holes in the shell, as this is an indication that a worm has burrowed into the nut.

Pine Cones: Choose pine cones that are full and open. Unopened pine cones still have seeds inside. 

Twigs: Look for twigs with interesting shapes, contours, and curls, or branches that are entwined for visual interest. Fruit tree and willow tree twigs are nice choices. 

DIY Christmas Decorations | Directions

Allow acorns, pine cones, and twigs to fully dry inside for at least 24 hours before painting or decorating them. Placing them on newspaper or cardboard in a well ventilated area will speed up the drying process.

When everything is dry, place items on layered newspaper or cardboard in a well ventilated area and spray with metallic silver and/or gold paint, allowing them to dry for several hours before turning and spraying the other sides.

Allow to fully dry overnight.

If you want a subtle sparkle, you can skip spray painting and use glitter instead. Follow drying directions above and instead of spray painting, simply brush tacky glue on areas that you want to add sparkle, then sprinkle with glitter and allow to dry.

DIY Christmas Decorations | Display Options

• Arrange the pine cones and acorns in a basket or glass bowl and use as a centerpiece.
• Tie twine on individual pine cones and acorns and use as ornaments to be hung from the tree.
• String small pine cones and acorns together — alternating between the two — and use as garland for the tree.
• Bundle twigs together and display in a tall vase, urn, or planter, or pair with painted pine cones and acorns on a dining room table runner with candles.

SEE MORE: Best Holiday Craft Fairs in New England 5 Ways to Recycle Christmas Trees Decorate with Christmas Tree Branches Holiday Wreath Ideas | Indoor & Outdoor Decorating

Shelley Wigglesworth

Shelley (Fleming) Wigglesworth is an award-winning freelance journalist from Maine and a certified Maine Master Gardener who writes gardening articles on a regular basis for NewEngland.com. Her work can be found in the following publications: The Village Magazine, York County Coast Star, Yankee Magazine (online), National Fisherman Magazine, Commercial Fisheries News, Points East Magazine, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Maine Lobstermen's Association's "Landings."

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