Basket Christmas Decor: 15 Thrifted Basket Ideas That Look Way More Expensive Than They Cost

Basket Christmas decor is the coziest way to dress your home for the holidays without spending much at all. Those woven baskets sitting on thrift store shelves for a dollar or two are waiting for a second life, and with a little greenery, ribbon and imagination they turn into wreaths, centerpieces, porch planters and gift stations that look like they came from a fancy country shop. Baskets bring warm texture, they are light enough to hang anywhere, and they go right back into storage after the season. Grab a bag of pine clippings, a spool of plaid ribbon and whatever baskets you can find, then pick your favorite idea below. Your home is about to feel like a warm hug..

Basket Christmas Decor Wreath Wall

Basket Christmas decor starts with this showstopper: a whole wall of thrifted baskets dressed up as wreaths. Mix round, flat and shallow shapes in different sizes, then tuck fresh pine and berry sprigs into one side of each basket and finish with a plaid bow. Hung together in a loose cluster, they fill a bare entry wall with texture and holiday color for the price of a coffee. Lay them out on the floor first so the spacing feels right before you hang anything. Which wall in your home could use a little country Christmas magic..

You will need: 6 to 8 round or flat woven baskets, fresh or faux pine sprigs, red berry picks, plaid ribbon, floral wire, removable wall hooks

How to make it: 1. Arrange the baskets on the floor until you like the layout. 2. Wire a small bundle of greenery and berries to the lower edge of each basket. 3. Tie a plaid bow and wire it on top of the greenery. 4. Hang each basket on a removable hook, starting with the biggest one in the middle.

Seagrass Basket Tree Collar

Skip the store bought tree skirt and set your tree inside a big round seagrass or wicker basket. It hides the plain stand, looks tidy and gives the whole corner a cozy farmhouse feel. Look for a laundry or plant basket that is wide enough for the stand, then cut a slit down one side if you need to slide it around the trunk. Kraft paper presents with red twine finish the look beautifully. Is this the year you finally retire that wrinkled tree skirt?

You will need: A large round woven basket, a sturdy tree stand, scissors, twine, an old towel

How to make it: 1. Set the tree in its stand and check it is straight. 2. If the basket will not fit over the stand, ask an adult to cut a neat slit down one side with strong scissors. 3. Wrap the basket around the stand and tie the slit closed with twine. 4. Tuck an old towel inside to catch needles and water drips.

Basket Christmas Decor Charger Wreath

A flat wicker charger or tray basket makes a wreath base that is already finished, so all you need is a crescent of greenery. Tuck cedar and pine along the bottom half, add a few dried orange slices for warm color, then pin a soft velvet bow at the side. It looks modern and cozy at the same time, and it weighs almost nothing on the door. This easy basket Christmas decor idea takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. Would you go classic red or creamy neutral for the bow?

You will need: 1 flat woven charger or tray basket, cedar and pine sprigs, dried orange slices, velvet ribbon, floral wire, an over the door hook

How to make it: 1. Bundle small sprigs of greenery and wire them along the lower half of the basket in a curve. 2. Thread wire through dried orange slices and tuck them between the greens. 3. Tie a velvet bow and wire it to one side. 4. Hang on an over the door hook.

Porch Basket Christmas Decor With Pine and Berries

Big thrifted baskets make wonderful porch planters for winter. Line them with a trash bag, stand a plastic pot or a block of floral foam inside, then fill them tall with pine boughs, cedar, winterberry branches and pine cones. Set one on each side of the front door and your porch suddenly feels welcoming and full. A plaid throw on a nearby bench adds that cozy country touch that neighbors love. How many baskets do you have hiding in your garage right now?

You will need: 2 large woven baskets, trash bags, plastic pots or floral foam, pine and cedar boughs, winterberry or red berry stems, pine cones

How to make it: 1. Line each basket with a trash bag to protect it from wet weather. 2. Set a pot filled with soil or foam inside. 3. Push tall branches into the center and shorter greens around the edges. 4. Finish with berry stems and pine cones on top.

Cozy Blanket Basket by the Sofa

Nothing says a cozy night in like a basket of soft blankets right next to the couch. Roll your knit throws and plaid blankets and stand them up in a wide woven basket so everyone can grab one during movie night. It also keeps the sofa neat when guests come over. Swap in red and green plaids for December and add a tiny sprig of pine tied to the handle. Who in your family always steals the softest blanket?

You will need: 1 large woven basket, 3 to 5 throws in holiday colors, a small sprig of faux pine, ribbon

How to make it: 1. Fold each blanket in half lengthwise and roll it tightly. 2. Stand the rolls upright in the basket, tallest at the back. 3. Tie a sprig of faux pine to the handle with ribbon. 4. Place it beside the sofa or at the foot of the bed.

Ornament Basket Centerpiece

Have extra ornaments that did not fit on the tree? Pile them into a shallow round basket and you have a centerpiece in two minutes. Shiny red, gold and green balls look rich against natural wicker, and a few pine sprigs tucked around the edge soften the look. Use shatterproof ornaments if little ones will be at the table. It is one of the easiest ways to bring basket Christmas decor to your dining room. What colors would you fill yours with this year?

You will need: 1 wide shallow basket, 20 to 30 shatterproof ornaments in mixed sizes, fresh or faux pine sprigs, tissue paper

How to make it: 1. Crumple tissue paper in the bottom of the basket so the ornaments sit higher. 2. Add the largest ornaments first, then fill gaps with smaller ones. 3. Tuck pine sprigs around the rim. 4. Set it in the center of the table on a runner.

Basket Christmas Decor on the Front Door

Hanging a basket on the front door instead of a wreath is one of the most loved country looks right now. A flat back market basket or half round wall basket works best because it sits close to the door. Stuff it with pine, magnolia leaves, pine cones and berries, then tie a big bow on the handle. This kind of basket Christmas decor can even change with the seasons, so it earns its keep all year. Hometalk shared a fun take on putting a basket on the wall that proves how handy they are. Will your door wear a basket this year?

You will need: 1 flat back or half round woven basket, a block of floral foam, pine branches, magnolia or other leaves, pine cones, berry picks, wide ribbon, an over the door hook

How to make it: 1. Place a block of floral foam in the bottom of the basket. 2. Push in long greens so they spill over the front. 3. Add leaves, pine cones and berries in small groups. 4. Tie a big bow on the handle and hang it on a sturdy door hook.

Bread Basket of Pine Cones

That old bread basket from the thrift store is perfect for a simple, natural display. Fill it with pine cones you gather on a walk, add a few cinnamon sticks and a sprig of dried wheat or greenery, and set it on a coffee table or kitchen counter. It costs next to nothing and smells lovely when you add a few drops of a cozy scented oil to the cones. Kids can help collect them too. For more ideas, see our pine cone Christmas crafts. Where is your favorite spot to find pine cones?

You will need: 1 bread or market basket, 15 to 25 pine cones, cinnamon sticks, a few stems of dried wheat or greenery, a baking sheet, optional scented oil

How to make it: 1. Brush off loose dirt from the pine cones. 2. Ask an adult to bake them on a lined sheet at a low heat for about 30 minutes to dry them. 3. Let them cool, then pile them in the basket. 4. Tuck in cinnamon sticks and a few stems of greenery.

Hot Cocoa Basket Station

Turn a wicker picnic basket into a hot cocoa station that guests can help themselves to. Stand a few white mugs inside, add a jar of mini marshmallows, peppermint sticks and wooden spoons, then drape a striped tea towel over the edge. When the party is over, close the lid and the whole station tucks away in a cupboard. It is also a sweet gift idea for a neighbor or teacher. What would you add to your cocoa basket?

You will need: 1 lidded wicker picnic basket, 4 white mugs, a glass jar of mini marshmallows, peppermint sticks, wooden spoons, a striped tea towel, a pine sprig

How to make it: 1. Line the basket with the tea towel, letting one end hang over the side. 2. Stand the mugs at the back. 3. Add the marshmallow jar, peppermint sticks and spoons in front. 4. Tuck a pine sprig in one corner.

Bike Basket Mailbox Greeting

A vintage wire bike basket gives your mailbox a charming country welcome. Fix it to the post with zip ties, then fill it with pine, holly and pine cones and finish with a big red bow. It greets your mail carrier and neighbors every day and survives snow better than a fabric wreath. You can often find old bike baskets at yard sales or thrift stores for a few dollars. Would your mail carrier smile at this one?

You will need: 1 wire or wicker bike basket, heavy duty zip ties, pine and holly sprigs, pine cones, outdoor ribbon

How to make it: 1. Hold the basket against the mailbox post and fasten it with two or three zip ties. 2. Fill it with greens, letting some spill over the edge. 3. Wedge pine cones between the branches. 4. Tie a weatherproof bow to the front.

Gift Wrap Station in a Laundry Basket

A tall woven laundry basket keeps rolls of wrapping paper upright, tidy and easy to grab. Stand it in a corner of a craft room or bedroom and add a smaller basket next to it for ribbon, twine, tape and gift tags. It looks so pretty that you can leave it out all season as part of your decor. Wrapping becomes a little ritual instead of a messy chore on the floor. How many rolls of paper are hiding under your bed right now?

You will need: 1 tall woven laundry basket, 1 small basket, wrapping paper rolls, ribbon spools, twine, scissors, tape, plain gift tags

How to make it: 1. Clear a corner near an outlet or a table. 2. Stand the wrapping paper rolls in the tall basket. 3. Fill the small basket with ribbon, twine, tape and tags. 4. Keep scissors in a jar nearby, out of reach of little hands.

Basket Christmas Decor Garland of Tiny Baskets

Mini baskets from craft stores or old sets of napkin holders become the sweetest garland. Tuck a sprig of greenery and a red berry into each tiny basket, then string them along jute twine and drape it across a mantel, shelf or window. It is charming, light and totally different from the usual bead garland. This tiny basket Christmas decor is a great project for a quiet evening with a cup of tea. Where would you hang yours?

You will need: 10 to 15 mini woven baskets, jute twine, small greenery sprigs, red berry picks, hot glue gun (with adult help)

How to make it: 1. Cut a length of twine longer than your mantel. 2. Tie each mini basket onto the twine by its handle, spacing them evenly. 3. With adult help, glue a sprig and a berry inside each basket. 4. Drape the garland and secure the ends with removable hooks.

Mini Trees in Baskets on the Stairs

Line the side of your staircase with small baskets holding mini potted evergreens. Wrap each tree with tiny battery fairy lights and the stairs glow warmly every evening. Place them on every other step and close to the wall so nobody trips. A pine garland on the railing ties it all together for a look that feels like a Christmas card. Battery lights mean no cords on the steps. Which room would you do next?

You will need: 6 to 8 small woven baskets, mini potted evergreens or faux trees, battery fairy lights, a pine garland, zip ties

How to make it: 1. Set a mini tree in each basket. 2. Wrap each tree with battery fairy lights and hide the battery pack in the basket. 3. Place the baskets on every other step against the wall. 4. Attach the pine garland to the railing with zip ties.

Kitchen Hutch Basket Christmas Decor

An old kitchen hutch looks instantly festive when you style its shelves with thrifted baskets. Fill a few with pine sprigs, a few with red apples or pine cones, and stack white plates between them. A short cedar garland across the top finishes the look. Basket Christmas decor like this works in small kitchens too, on open shelves or the top of a cabinet. It feels like grandma’s kitchen in the best way. What would you fill your hutch baskets with?

You will need: 4 to 6 small woven baskets in different shapes, pine sprigs, red apples, pine cones, white plates, a small cedar garland

How to make it: 1. Clear the hutch shelves and wipe them down. 2. Place baskets at different heights, leaving space between them. 3. Fill each basket with one item so the look stays clean. 4. Add stacks of plates and lay the garland along the top.

Birch Log Basket for Rustic Charm

A basket of birch or cut logs by the hearth or in an empty corner adds instant cabin coziness, even if you never light a fire. Pick logs with pretty white bark or clean cut ends, stack them neatly and add a sprig of pine or a strand of battery lights. It is pure decoration, so keep it away from heat and simply enjoy the woodsy texture all winter. Craft stores sell small birch logs if you do not have any nearby. Is your home ready for its coziest Christmas yet?

You will need: 1 large woven basket, 8 to 12 birch or cut logs, a pine sprig, optional battery fairy lights

How to make it: 1. Brush off loose bark and dust from the logs. 2. Stack them upright or lying down in the basket. 3. Tuck a pine sprig between the logs. 4. Weave battery lights through the top if you want a soft glow.