Christmas Chair Swags: 15 Cozy Dining Chair Ideas That Make Your Holiday Table Look Like a Magazine

Christmas Chair Swags are the little detail that makes a holiday table look like it belongs on a magazine cover. Think about the last time you walked into a dining room dressed for Christmas dinner. Your eyes went to the table first, and then to the backs of the chairs, where a bit of greenery and a soft bow made everything feel finished and welcoming. That is the secret hosts have used for years, and it costs far less than a new centerpiece. A few clippings from the yard, some ribbon and a little twine are often all you need. Below are 15 easy ideas, from a classic evergreen bundle to a sweet candy cane swag for the kids table. Most take ten minutes per chair, so you can finish the whole set in one cozy evening before the big dinner..

Christmas Chair Swags With Classic Evergreen and a Velvet Bow

Christmas Chair Swags do not get more classic than this. Three white farmhouse chairs each wear a full bundle of pine, cedar and fir, finished with a big red velvet bow and long ribbon tails that almost touch the floor. Mixing three kinds of greenery gives the swag depth, and the velvet catches the light beautifully at dinner. If you only try one idea from this list, make it this one, because it works with any table and any style. Ready to see how easy it is to put together? Let us start with the basics..

You will need: Fresh or faux pine, cedar and fir clippings, green floral wire, wired red velvet ribbon about 2.5 inches wide, and scissors or pruners.

How to make it: 1. Cut the greenery into pieces about 14 inches long. 2. Layer the longest pieces at the back and shorter ones on top, then wrap the stems tightly with floral wire. 3. Tie the bundle to the chair back with ribbon, make a big bow over the stems and trim the tails on a slant.

A Eucalyptus and Pine Cone Bundle

This soft gray green bundle feels fresh and a little bit modern. Silver dollar eucalyptus has round leaves that look lovely next to the sharp needles of pine, and three natural pine cones add a woodland touch. Jute twine keeps it simple and lets the natural colors shine. The best part is the smell, because fresh eucalyptus fills the room with a clean, cozy scent as guests sit down. Do you have a pine tree in the yard? Then half of this project is already free.

You will need: Silver dollar eucalyptus stems, pine sprigs, three small pine cones, floral wire and jute twine.

How to make it: 1. Wrap a short piece of floral wire around the base of each pine cone to make a stem. 2. Gather the eucalyptus and pine into a bundle and add the cones on top. 3. Wrap the stems with wire, then cover the wire with jute twine and tie it to the top rail.

Christmas Chair Swags Made From a Mini Wreath

Christmas Chair Swags can be as easy as a tiny wreath. A ten inch boxwood wreath hung from a long velvet ribbon looks charming on a spindle back chair, and it feels like a little front door for every guest. You can buy small faux wreaths at a craft or dollar store and fluff them up, or make your own from boxwood clippings on a wire ring. After the holidays, the wreaths can move to kitchen cabinets or windows. Which color ribbon would you pick for your table?

You will need: Small boxwood wreaths (fresh or faux) about 8 to 10 inches across, 1.5 inch velvet ribbon and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Fluff the wreath so it looks full and round. 2. Thread a long piece of ribbon through the top and tie it around the top rail of the chair. 3. Let the wreath hang at the middle of the chair back and finish with a simple bow on top.

Buffalo Check Ribbon and Jingle Bells

Buffalo check is the pattern that says cabin Christmas in one look. A wide red and black ribbon tied in a full bow, a short pine sprig and three tiny silver bells make a cheerful farmhouse detail that kids love, because the bells jingle every time someone pulls out a chair. Buffalo check ribbon is easy to find and cheap by the roll. Use one roll for the chairs and save the rest for gift wrap so the whole house matches. Would your family enjoy a little jingle at dinner?

You will need: Wired buffalo check ribbon, small jingle bells, short pine sprigs, thin floral wire and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Thread two or three bells onto thin wire and twist the wire around the center of a pine sprig. 2. Tie a full bow with the ribbon around the chair back. 3. Tuck the pine sprig behind the knot and wire it in place so the bells hang below.

Christmas Chair Swags With Dried Orange and Cinnamon

Christmas Chair Swags made with dried orange slices feel like an old fashioned country kitchen. The orange slices glow like stained glass when the light hits them, and cinnamon sticks add a warm smell that guests notice right away. This is a wonderful project for a slow weekend afternoon, because the oranges dry in a low oven while you sip something warm. String a few pine sprigs between the slices and the swag is done. Have you ever tried drying oranges at home? It is easier than you think.

You will need: Two or three oranges, cinnamon sticks, pine sprigs, jute twine, a large needle, a baking sheet and parchment paper.

How to make it: 1. Slice the oranges thin, pat them dry and bake on parchment at the lowest oven setting for 3 to 4 hours, turning them now and then. 2. With adult help, thread the cooled slices onto jute twine with a needle, tying cinnamon bundles and pine sprigs in between. 3. Drape the swag across the top rail and tie the ends behind the chair.

A Simple Mistletoe Sprig and Twine

Sometimes less really is more. One small sprig of mistletoe tied with natural twine is all a ladder back chair needs, and it looks clean and calm in a simple Scandinavian style dining room. This is the perfect pick if your table is already busy with dishes and centerpieces. Faux mistletoe works best, because the real berries are not safe for curious kids and pets. Keep it high on the chair back where little hands cannot reach it. Could a small touch like this be all your table needs?

You will need: Faux mistletoe sprigs with white berries, natural cotton or jute twine and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Trim each sprig to about 6 inches. 2. Wrap the twine around the stems three or four times. 3. Tie the sprig to the top rail with a neat bow and trim the twine ends evenly.

A Wood Bead Garland Drape

A wood bead garland adds a soft, natural look that fits farmhouse and boho tables alike. Drape it in a loose swoop from one chair to the next, or let a short garland hang on each chair back on its own. Small cotton tassels on the ends make it feel finished. You can buy these garlands, but they are easy and relaxing to make with craft store beads and string. After Christmas, the same garland looks lovely on a stack of books or a tray all year. Would you drape it across two chairs or one?

You will need: Unfinished wood beads in two sizes, cotton cord, small cotton tassels and a pine sprig for each chair.

How to make it: 1. String the wood beads onto cotton cord, mixing big and small beads. 2. Tie a tassel to each end of the garland. 3. Loop the ends around the chair backs, let the middle hang in a soft swoop and tuck a pine sprig at the center.

Christmas Chair Swags With Magnolia and Berries

Christmas Chair Swags with magnolia leaves feel rich and a little bit Southern. The glossy green tops and soft brown undersides of the leaves give lovely contrast, and a few red berry picks bring the Christmas color. A cream silk ribbon keeps the look elegant, so it works well on upholstered chairs at a dressier table. Faux magnolia stems look surprisingly real now and can be used again next year. Want the table to look like a designer styled it? This is the swag to try.

You will need: Faux or fresh magnolia leaf stems, faux red berry picks, cream silk ribbon, floral wire and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Arrange four or five magnolia leaves in a fan, showing both the green tops and brown undersides. 2. Add two berry picks in the center and wrap the stems with floral wire. 3. Tie the swag to the chair back with silk ribbon and fluff the leaves outward.

A Vintage Sleigh Bell Strap

Sleigh bells on a leather strap bring back memories of old fashioned winters and horse drawn sleighs. Hung down the back of a dark wood chair, they look warm and nostalgic, and they ring softly when guests sit down. Look for old straps at flea markets or make your own from a leather belt and craft store bells. Tuck a small cedar sprig under the buckle to tie it in with the rest of the table. Do you have an old belt in the closet that could become a sleigh bell strap?

You will need: An old leather belt or leather strip, brass jingle bells, strong waxed thread or thin wire, and a cedar sprig.

How to make it: 1. Space the bells evenly along the strap and mark each spot. 2. Sew or wire each bell tightly to the leather. 3. Buckle the strap around the top rail so the bells hang down the chair back and tuck a cedar sprig under the buckle.

Christmas Chair Swags That Double as Stocking Place Cards

Christmas Chair Swags can also tell guests where to sit. A small felt stocking hung on each chair works as a place card, and you can tuck a tiny treat or a handwritten note inside. Write each guest’s name on a kraft paper tag and tie it to the loop. Kids especially love finding their own stocking at the table, and guests often take theirs home as a keepsake. It is a sweet, personal touch that makes everyone feel expected. What little treat would you tuck inside?

You will need: Small felt stockings (bought or sewn), kraft paper tags, ribbon or twine, a pen and small wrapped treats.

How to make it: 1. Write each name on a tag and tie it to the stocking loop. 2. Tuck a small wrapped treat inside each stocking. 3. Hang the stockings from the chair backs with ribbon so they sit at the same height on every chair.

A Paper Star and Kraft Ribbon

This one costs almost nothing and looks wonderful. A folded three dimensional paper star in plain kraft paper is easy to make, and it adds a clean Scandinavian feel to the table. Tie it on with brown kraft ribbon and add a short pine sprig for color. It is a great craft to do with older kids on a rainy afternoon, and they will be proud to see their stars at dinner. Leftover stars can go on the tree or on gift boxes. Could your family fold a full set this weekend?

You will need: Kraft paper or brown paper bags, a ruler, a pencil, scissors, glue, kraft ribbon and pine sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Cut two paper squares, fold each one into a star shape along the diagonals and cut the slits. 2. Glue the two halves together to make a puffy three dimensional star. 3. Punch a small hole, thread kraft ribbon through and tie the star to the chair back with a pine sprig.

Christmas Chair Swags From Rosemary That Double as a Favor

Christmas Chair Swags made from rosemary smell amazing and give guests a little gift to take home. Fresh rosemary looks like tiny pine branches, so it fits right in with Christmas. Wrap each bundle in red and white twine and tie it to the chair back. When dinner is over, guests can take their bundle home to use in the kitchen. You can find big bunches at the grocery store, or cut some from your own garden. Is there anything better than a gift that smells this good?

You will need: Fresh rosemary sprigs, red and white twine, small kraft tags and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Gather eight to ten rosemary sprigs into a neat bundle. 2. Wrap the stems tightly with twine, crisscrossing it a few times. 3. Tie the bundle to the chair back and add a small tag that says take me home.

A Plaid Scarf Knotted on the Back

This might be the easiest idea on the whole list. Grab a cozy plaid scarf from the closet, wrap it around the top of the chair and tie a loose knot with the fringe hanging down. Tuck a short pine sprig into the knot and you are done in less than a minute. Thrift stores often have wool scarves for a few dollars each, so you can collect a matching set. It makes the whole room feel warm, like a cabin on a snowy night. How many plaid scarves are hiding in your closet right now?

You will need: Plaid wool or flannel scarves, short pine sprigs and nothing else.

How to make it: 1. Drape the scarf around the top rail with both ends in the back. 2. Tie a loose single knot and let the fringe hang down. 3. Tuck a pine sprig into the knot and straighten the ends so all the chairs match.

Christmas Chair Swags in Gold and White for an Elegant Table

Christmas Chair Swags in gold and white look perfect for a formal dinner or a New Year party. Gold painted leaves, white faux berries and soft silk ribbon feel bright and festive without any red or green at all. You can spray paint real leaves or faux greenery yourself, which costs much less than buying gold stems. Pair the swags with white plates and gold flatware, and the table will look like a fancy hotel dinner. Would you go gold this year, or stay with classic red?

You will need: Faux leaf stems or dried leaves, gold spray paint, white faux berry picks, white silk ribbon and floral wire.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, spray paint the leaves gold outdoors on cardboard and let them dry fully. 2. Bundle the gold leaves with white berries and wrap the stems with floral wire. 3. Tie the swag to the chair with white silk ribbon and fluff the bow.

A Candy Cane Swag for the Kids Table

The kids table deserves a little magic too. A mini swag of wrapped candy canes, a green ribbon bow and a pine sprig turns a plain little chair into something special. Kids can help make these, and they get to eat the decorations after dessert. Use wrapped candy canes so they stay clean, and tie them on securely so they do not fall during dinner. For more ways to dress up the house, try these easy front door ideas, and read how people have hung festive garlands for centuries. Which chair will your kids race to sit in?

You will need: Wrapped mini candy canes, green ribbon, a long pine sprig, thin wire or twine and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cross two to four wrapped candy canes with the hooks pointing up. 2. Wrap thin wire or twine around them with a pine sprig behind. 3. Tie the bundle to the chair back with a green ribbon bow.