Holiday Decorating with Natural Materials

/ Bohème Design House/

Deck the Halls Naturally: Holiday Decorating with Natural Garland, Dried Oranges & Cranberries

The holiday season is here, and it’s time to bring warmth and cheer to our homes. If you're looking to decorate in a way that's both timeless and eco-friendly, natural garlands, dried oranges, and strung cranberries are perfect choices. These natural elements evoke nostalgia, smell incredible, and add a handmade touch to your decor.

In a world of plastic ornaments and synthetic materials, natural decorations stand out for their sustainability and charm. Not only are they biodegradable, but they also bring the outdoors inside, filling your home with the cozy essence of the season. Plus, crafting with natural materials is a fun activity for all ages, making holiday prep an enjoyable family tradition.

Here's how to create stunning decorations with these simple yet elegant materials.

Crafting a Natural Garland

Natural garlands are the backbone of holiday decor. Here's how to make your own:

Materials Needed:

  • Fresh greenery (pine, cedar, eucalyptus, or a mix)

  • Floral wire or twine

  • Scissors or garden shears

Instructions:

  1. Gather your greenery, trimming it into manageable sections.

  2. Lay the pieces on a flat surface, overlapping the stems slightly.

  3. Secure each piece with floral wire as you work, building the garland to your desired length.

  4. For an extra festive touch, weave in dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or pinecones.

Tip: Keep your garland fresh by misting it with water every couple of days and avoiding direct sunlight.

Making natural dried orange slice garlands

Dried orange slices are a holiday favorite, bringing a pop of color and a subtle citrus aroma. Here’s how to make them:

What You’ll Need:

  • Fresh oranges

  • Sharp knife

  • Baking sheet

  • Parchment paper

Steps:

  1. Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C).

  2. Slice oranges into ¼-inch thick rounds.

  3. Arrange slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

  4. Bake for 2-3 hours, flipping occasionally, until dry but not burnt.

  5. After the slices cool, string with twine and a large darning needle or poke holes with small scissors.

Use these slices as ornaments, garland embellishments, or even as gift toppers.

Making cranberry garlands

Cranberry garlands are such a fun, festive tradition and the ruby red berries look so beautiful amidst all the green pine boughs and other Christmas decorations. This can be a super fun seasonal holiday tradition if you have kids too. It’s so easy, and the result is magical.

Materials:

  • Dark-colored string / baking string

  • Tapestry needle

  • Fresh cranberries (can be found in most grocery stores)

  • Fiskars scissors

Steps

  1. First, measure how long you would like your garland to be. Cut a piece of string to that length, plus a few inches.

  2. Now take your string and thread it through your needle.

  3. Next, dump your bag of cranberries into a bowl for easy access.

  4. Now you can start threading the cranberries onto your string! Simply poke the needle through the middle of the cranberry and slide it all the way down. Tie a knot at the end so the berries don’t slide off the end

  5. Keep sliding cranberries along the string until it’s full.

  6. Remove the needle and tie a knot at the other end of the string. Clip the excess string.

This cranberry garland is such a versatile and beautiful Christmas decoration. You can use it to decorate your Christmas tree, string it along your mantlepiece, hang it along a wall, drape it around a window, and so much more. I love the little pop of color it can add to a room, too! The best part is, cranberries (as we mentioned before) have a great shelf life. They dry out after a while, but still look pretty that way. And after you’re done with them, they’re biodegradable, too!