Here are six nature inspired Christmas crafts that are inexpensive to make and easy enough to complete within a few hours or as a weekend craft project. All of these ideas bring a bit of nature inside for the holidays, whether it’s natural items you can collect from your yard or craft products that look real enough to help you get that rustic look that nature seems to do best.
Get inspired by any one of these ideas. And don’t be afraid to change up the project a little bit to make it your own. For most of these crafts, I used items I had on hand because it was easier than driving to the store. But other materials could just as easily be switched out. I’ve even included some alternative supplies to keep these ideas as simple as possible for you.
6 Nature Inspired Christmas Crafts to Make this Weekend
- Table Top Decor
- Ornaments
Nature Inspired Wintery Table Top Decor Craft Ideas
These table top decor ideas will help set a rustic wintery scene among a table setting centerpiece, atop a mantel, on a shelf or even on your entryway table. You can help set the scene with some greenery, flickering led candles or a string of lights. Some of these will even work as gifts.
Branch Christmas Trees (Teepee Style)
Start by bringing some of the forest inside with these branch trees, that just so happen to resemble teepees, right? They’re actually easy to make. I’m so not kidding. If you have access to collecting branches or larger twigs, you are almost halfway there with the supplies you will need to make these. Get the details and the rest of the supplies list, here.
Put an led tea light underneath each cup and watch them gently flicker with light as the night goes on.
Alternatively you could make these with thin wooden dowels, or pip berry stems.
Pine Tree Jar Candles
And how about the tranquility of a pine tree forest? A jar candle is the main ingredient for this project. And while the candle isn’t exactly nature inspired, you can decorate the outside of the candle with any of mother nature’s favorite things. In fact you can even substitute glass jars (perhaps some you already have in your stash). In this case I used a black paint marker to draw a line of pine trees on a bunch of inexpensive white jar candles. There’s even a free printable lesson for how to draw pine trees. Read the full directions, here.
Alternatively, you could glue on twig pieces, small pine leaf branches, winter berries, cedar spriggs, or pieces of juniper sprays.
Faux Burlap Wrapped Seedlings
Who doesn’t love the idea of visiting a tree farm, even if it’s just to breath in all that pine tree smell? And all those rows of burlap wrapped seedlings…you’ve got to love it!! Anyway these mini saplings can be made with fake greenery, with an upcycled winter wreath, or with real evergreen tree cuttings. Of course, the real greenery won’t last as long, so you would want to make those closer to the usage date (like a few days before a party, and so on.) Supplies include burlap or coffee sacks, foam balls and a few other materials. Find the full instructions, here.
Make varying sizes to change it up. Hands down, everyone will love these because who could not like baby pine trees?
Twinkling Twig Christmas Trees
Yet, another take on branch or twig Christmas trees using plastic cups. For these you will need garden clippers and twigs, which you can gather from your yard or purchase as a bundle. You basically clip your twigs to size and then build the tree levels with quick drying clear glue. See photos of the full process, here.
If you don’t have time for twigs, you can also probably use paper straws, popcicle sticks, or other stick like supplies.
These twig trees combine these twig trees with the other ones mentioned above for a sweet and rustic combo on any mantel or table setting.
Nature Inspired Easy Christmas Ornaments
Let’s move onto ornaments. Recreate some of nature’s favorites with any of these easy to make ornament ideas. Make them in bulk for all your family, friends, co-workers… Gift them as a party favor or add them to your gift-wrapped packages for a rustic touch. I always try using supplies I already have but you can easily get most of these items at any craft store, as well.
Mini Jars of Snow Ornaments
There’s no denying that kids love these little jars of snow (even if it’s fake snow). And while mine were made almost entirely with items I had on hand, you could definitely step it up with a few store bought jars and rustic tags or labels. Naturally, you can’t keep real snow in a jar, so this project includes some homemade faux snow recipe mixes. Bottom line. Kids will love to imagine they have a tiny bit of winter in a jar. Fancy them up a little more for grown ups and give them as hostess gifts, party favors, and more.
I used wire to make the handles, but you could change up the process by using twine using twine, as well. Get the faux snow recipe and directions, here.
Mossy Christmas Tree Ornaments (or Gift Tags)
Moss is another one of nature’s little discoveries. Make these as ornaments or gift tags. Simple supplies include Loose or sheet moss and twine. I used painted cardboard for the backing, but you could easily use green card stock instead. This project also includes a printable template for the Christmas trees.
So easy to make these. Use the backside of the ornament to write your message or name tag. Add one at each place setting as a little ornament giveaway. Tie them onto bottle of wine or presents as a rustic touch. Find the easy directions, here.
Christmas Tree Ornaments Made with Twigs
Finally, If you haven’t had enough of branches and twigs, yet, let’s talk twig ornaments. Once again, and easy project with a minimal supply list. Garden clippers are a must or you might break your hands like we did, but otherwise, really so simple and fun to make. Read on, here, for some optional ideas when making these ornaments.
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