Branch Christmas Decor: 13 Free Ideas Using Twigs From Your Own Backyard

Branch Christmas decor might be the prettiest free decorating you will ever do, because the main supply is lying in your own backyard. A handful of twigs, a few fallen branches and some twine can become a wall tree, a chandelier, a wreath or a little reindeer that looks like it came from a pricey Scandinavian shop. Natural, simple decor is everywhere this season, and one Facebook video of a twig wall tree with baubles collected about 6,000 reactions and 750 shares. Only take fallen branches or ones from your own yard, never from parks or public land. Shake them out, rinse them and let them dry for a few days before bringing them inside. Below are thirteen easy ideas. Let us head outside and start collecting..

Branch Christmas Decor Starts With a Twig Wall Tree

The twig wall tree is the idea everyone is copying. Cut straight sticks in graduating lengths, from short at the top to long at the bottom, and tie them one under another on two pieces of twine so they make a tree shape. Hang it on a bare wall and add small baubles and a twig star on top. It takes almost no floor space, which makes it perfect for small apartments or a second tree in the hallway. This room shows how lovely it looks with other branch pieces too..

You will need: 8 to 10 straight sticks, pruning shears (adult use), jute twine, small baubles, a nail or removable hook.

How to make it: 1. Cut sticks from about 8 inches to 30 inches long. 2. Lay them out short to long in a tree shape. 3. Tie each stick to two long pieces of twine, leaving even gaps. 4. Hang from a hook and add ornaments and a twig star.

White Painted Branches in a Crock

This branch Christmas decor idea is so simple. A big bundle of bare branches painted white looks like a snowy forest brought indoors. Spray or brush them with white paint outside, let them dry, then stand them in a tall crock or floor vase. Weave in a strand of battery fairy lights and hang a few soft pink and silver ornaments. It is a showstopper for an entryway or a corner that needs height. Ask an adult to help cut the larger branches with pruners. Would you leave them white or try gold?

You will need: Tall bare branches, white spray paint or chalk paint, a tall crock or vase, sand or rocks for weight, battery fairy lights, a few ornaments.

How to make it: 1. Paint the branches outside and let them dry fully. 2. Fill the crock with sand or rocks. 3. Push the branches in and spread them out. 4. Wind in fairy lights and hang the ornaments.

Branch Christmas Decor Chandelier Over the Table

A branch hung over the dining table instantly makes a holiday meal feel special. Hang it level from two ceiling hooks with clear fishing line, then dangle clear glass ornaments, little pine cones and sprigs of greenery at different heights. Wrap battery fairy lights along the top for a soft glow at dinner. Keep everything high enough that nobody bumps it when they stand up. It is completely free if you use a fallen branch from your yard. Would you hang it over the table or a kitchen island?

You will need: A sturdy branch about 3 to 4 feet long, two ceiling hooks, clear fishing line, clear ornaments, small pine cones, greenery, battery fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. Screw two hooks into the ceiling joist above the table (adult job). 2. Tie fishing line to each end of the branch and hang it level. 3. Wrap fairy lights along it. 4. Tie on ornaments and greenery at different lengths.

Branch Advent Calendar

This branch Christmas decor advent calendar is pretty enough to stay up all month. Hang a long weathered branch on the wall with twine, then tie on 24 strings of different lengths and clip a tiny kraft bag or linen pouch to each one with a mini clothespin. Fill them with chocolates, notes or little activities. Add pine sprigs here and there for color. When Christmas is over, the branch goes back outside. Who in your house would love opening one every morning?

You will need: A long branch, jute twine, 24 small kraft bags or fabric pouches, mini wooden clothespins, small treats, pine sprigs, a wall hook.

How to make it: 1. Tie twine to both ends of the branch and hang it. 2. Cut 24 strings of different lengths and tie them along the branch. 3. Fill each bag with a treat. 4. Clip a bag to each string.

Branch Christmas Decor Wreath on a Hoop

Modern hoop wreaths are so popular, and this one uses free twigs. Wire small bundles of thin twigs and a few birch sticks around half of a metal craft hoop, then add a little cluster of pine and red berries where they meet. Weave battery fairy lights through the twigs for evening sparkle. Hang it on a cream linen ribbon. It looks clean and natural on any front door color. Which door in your house would you hang it on?

You will need: A 14 to 18 inch metal craft hoop, thin twigs, birch sticks, floral wire, pine sprigs, berry picks, battery fairy lights, linen ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Wire small twig bundles along one side of the hoop, overlapping each one. 2. Add birch sticks across the bottom. 3. Wire pine and berries over the joins. 4. Weave in fairy lights and hang with ribbon.

Rustic Twig Star Ornaments

Twig stars are one of the easiest things to make from branches, and they look so charming on a tree, a wreath or a gift. Cut five straight twigs the same length, lay them in a star and tie or glue each point. A smaller white star in the middle, or a button, makes a sweet center. Make a dozen and tie one to every gift you give this year. Kids can help with the tying while an adult handles the cutting. How many will you make?

You will need: Thin straight twigs, pruning shears (adult use), twine or wood glue, small white stars or buttons, ribbon for hanging.

How to make it: 1. Cut five twigs the same length. 2. Lay them in a five point star shape. 3. Tie each crossing tightly with twine or glue it. 4. Add a small star in the center and a ribbon loop.

Log and Twig Reindeer

Little log reindeer are classic branch Christmas decor for the porch, and they cost nothing but a few minutes. A short log makes the body, a smaller log the head, four sticks the legs and two forked twigs the antlers. Tie on a plaid scarf and they look ready for a holiday card. Make a big one and a baby one to stand together by the door. An adult should drill the holes for the legs and neck. Do you have a woodpile that could spare a few logs?

You will need: One log about 12 inches, one log about 5 inches, four sticks for legs, one stick for the neck, forked twigs for antlers, a drill (adult use), wood glue, a fabric scrap.

How to make it: 1. Have an adult drill four leg holes under the body and one for the neck. 2. Glue in the legs and neck. 3. Drill the head for the neck and antlers, then glue them in. 4. Tie on a fabric scarf.

Simple Branch Christmas Decor in a Glass Vase

Sometimes a few beautiful branches in a clear vase are all a room needs. Pussy willow, curly willow or any twiggy branch with interesting shape looks modern and calm. Leave them bare for a winter look, or hang just two or three tiny ornaments for Christmas. This is perfect for people who like a clean, simple style. Change the water now and then if you use fresh cut stems. Where would a vase like this look best in your home?

You will need: A clear glass vase, a few interesting branches, water if fresh, two or three tiny ornaments (optional).

How to make it: 1. Trim the branches so they are about twice the height of the vase. 2. Arrange three to five in the vase. 3. Turn them so the best shapes face out. 4. Add tiny ornaments if you like.

Gold Dipped Twig Centerpiece

A little gold paint turns plain twigs into elegant branch Christmas decor for the table. Dip just the tips of slender twigs into gold paint, let them dry, then stand them in a low bowl filled with moss. Tuck in a few small white ornaments and lay extra twigs along the table runner. It looks high end but costs only a small bottle of paint. It is lovely for a New Year table too. Would you go gold, silver or copper?

You will need: Slender twigs, metallic gold craft paint, a disposable cup, a low bowl, floral foam, sheet moss, small white ornaments.

How to make it: 1. Pour paint into a cup and dip each twig tip. 2. Stand them in a jar to dry. 3. Put foam in the bowl and cover it with moss. 4. Push in the twigs and add ornaments.

Branch Christmas Decor Place Card Holders

Short slices of a birch branch make the sweetest place card holders. Cut each slice about two inches tall, then have an adult cut a thin slit across the top with a small hand saw. Slide in a place card, tuck in a tiny sprig of cedar and a red berry, and set one above each plate. Guests love taking them home. They also work as photo holders the rest of the year. How many seats will you set this Christmas?

You will need: A birch or other branch about 2 inches thick, a small hand saw (adult use), sandpaper, place cards, cedar sprigs, berries.

How to make it: 1. Have an adult cut the branch into 2 inch slices. 2. Sand the cut ends smooth. 3. Have an adult saw a thin slit across the top. 4. Add a card, a cedar sprig and a berry.

Bare Branch Mantel Garland

Instead of buying garland, try branch Christmas decor on the mantel: long bare branches laid along the shelf. Weave in eucalyptus, dried orange slices and a few brass bells, then add a strand of battery fairy lights. Lean a couple of twig stars against the wall behind it for height. The look is natural, airy and totally different from a classic pine garland. If you love free decor from outside, our pine cone Christmas crafts are another great place to start. Which greens grow near you?

You will need: Long thin branches, eucalyptus, dried orange slices, small bells, twine, battery fairy lights, twig stars.

How to make it: 1. Lay two or three branches along the mantel so they overlap. 2. Tuck eucalyptus between them. 3. Tie on orange slices and bells with twine. 4. Weave in fairy lights and add twig stars behind.

Branch Christmas Decor Ornament Display

If you have special ornaments that get lost on a big tree, give them their own branch display. Stand a few birch branches in a galvanized bucket filled with pine cones, then hang vintage glass ornaments, felt stars and wooden pieces on red string. It is perfect for a console table, a kitchen counter or a kids room. Every ornament gets room to shine. Is there one ornament you would put front and center?

You will need: Three to five branches, a galvanized bucket or crock, pine cones or rocks, red string, ornaments.

How to make it: 1. Stand the branches in the bucket. 2. Fill around them with pine cones to hold them steady. 3. Tie ornaments on with red string. 4. Spread them out so each one shows.

Twig Star Window Hanging

Our last idea makes a winter window look magical. Glue thin straight twigs into stars, paint some white and leave some natural, then hang them at different heights on white ribbon. The light shines right through them, and they look beautiful from outside too. Make extra and use them as gift toppers. With all of this branch Christmas decor, your home will feel cozy, natural and so pretty for almost no money. Which idea will you try first? For more natural style ideas, Country Living has plenty of inspiration.

You will need: Thin straight twigs, pruning shears (adult use), wood glue, white craft paint, white ribbon, small removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Cut twigs to equal lengths. 2. Glue them into stars and let them dry overnight. 3. Paint some white. 4. Tie on ribbons and hang them from hooks above the window.