Natural Foraged Christmas Decor: Greenery and Pine Cones

Natural Christmas decor costs almost nothing: greenery, pine cones, branches and dried oranges look beautiful together and smell like the season. This guide shows you how to gather, clean and use them safely.

Where and how to forage

1. Know the rules. Gather only on your own property, with permission from a landowner, or where it is clearly allowed. Many parks and forests prohibit collecting.
2. Take only what has fallen. Pine cones, small branches and bark pieces on the ground are good choices.
3. Prune lightly. If you trim evergreens from your own yard, cut just a few branches from the back or bottom of the tree, not the top.
4. Skip anything unknown. Do not gather plants you cannot identify.
5. Wear gloves. Sap, thorns and splinters are common.
6. Leave some for wildlife. Berries and seeds feed birds and small animals.

Materials to look for

• Evergreens. Pine, spruce, fir, cedar, juniper and boxwood.
• Pine cones. All sizes; larger cones make bold accents.
• Branches. Birch, red twig dogwood, curly willow and bare twigs.
• Seed pods and dried stems. Milkweed, hydrangea heads and grasses.
• Bark and wood slices. For ornaments or candle bases.
• Citrus and apples. Store-bought but natural, ideal for drying.

How to prepare what you gather

1. Shake and brush. Remove dirt, spiders and loose bark.
2. Wash pine cones. Soak in cool water with a splash of vinegar for 20 to 30 minutes, drain and pat dry.
3. Bake pine cones. Place on a lined baking sheet at 200°F for 1 to 2 hours, until they open and feel dry. This also helps get rid of bugs and sap.
4. Treat greenery. Soak cut stems in a bucket of water overnight before using.
5. Dry citrus. Slice 1/4 inch thick, pat dry, bake on a rack at 200°F for 3 to 4 hours, flipping once.
6. Cool completely. Everything should be cool before gluing or tying.

Five easy projects

1. Garland. Wire sprigs of greenery to a rope or string, overlapping each bundle. Add dried orange slices and pine cones every foot.
2. Bowl of cones. Fill a wooden bowl with pine cones, a few cinnamon sticks and dried oranges. Add a battery candle in the center.
3. Branch tree. Place tall branches in a heavy vase and hang lightweight ornaments from them.
4. Wreath. Wire greenery onto a grapevine ring. See wreath ideas.
5. Gift toppers. Tie a sprig of evergreen, a cinnamon stick and a dried orange slice onto a wrapped gift.

For craft step-by-steps, see pine cone Christmas crafts and cinnamon applesauce ornaments.

Placement ideas

• Lay a garland down the middle of a table with candles. See centerpiece ideas.
• Fill a basket of pine cones next to the fireplace.
• Put a small bundle of cedar in a jar on a windowsill.
• Hang a dried orange garland across a window.
• Weave greenery into the stairs or mantel. See mantel decorating ideas.

Keeping natural decor fresh

• Keep greenery away from heaters and direct sun.
• Mist it lightly every few days.
• Swap out dry pieces after 1 to 2 weeks indoors.
• Dried items, such as pine cones and oranges, last for years if kept dry in a box.
• Use cold porches and doorways for fresh greenery; the cold keeps it fresh much longer.

Safety notes

• Fresh and dried greenery is flammable. Keep it away from candles, fireplaces and heaters; use battery candles.
• Some plants and berries are toxic to pets and children, including holly, mistletoe and yew. Keep them out of reach or skip them.
• Wash hands after handling sap or unknown plants.
• Do not bring in anything that looks moldy or has insect nests.
• Never leave the oven on while you are away from home.

Why natural decor works so well

Natural materials already match each other. Greens, browns and creams never clash, so you do not have to worry about a color plan. They also bring texture and scent that plastic decor cannot, and they cost little. Pair them with warm white lights and a few candles in glass and you have a whole look without buying a thing. When the season ends, much of it can go in the compost, which makes cleanup easy.

Quick Checklist

• Confirm where you may forage
• Gather fallen items and prune only a little
• Wear gloves and avoid unknown plants
• Wash and bake pine cones at 200°F
• Soak greenery overnight
• Dry orange slices at 200°F for 3 to 4 hours
• Keep decor away from flames
• Keep toxic berries away from pets and kids
• Store dried pieces in a dry box