Hand Forged Christmas Decor: 16 Rustic Iron Ideas That Look Like Expensive Farmhouse Heirlooms

Hand forged Christmas decor has a quiet magic that plastic ornaments can never copy. Matte black iron against fresh green pine looks simple, strong and a little old fashioned, like something passed down for generations. It fits a farmhouse, a cabin, a city apartment or a cozy cottage, and it never goes out of style. The best part is that you do not need an anvil to get the look. Many of these pieces can be bought from local metal artists, and many more can be copied at the kitchen table with craft wire, flat black paint and a few thrift store finds. Below are 16 rustic iron ideas for the mantel, the tree, the door and the table, each with a short supply list and easy steps. Pick one, or pick five, and watch your home take on that heirloom feel..

Hand Forged Christmas Decor on a Pine Mantel

Picture a glowing bar of steel on an anvil, a few sharp hammer blows, and a tiny Christmas tree taking shape in seconds. That is the short video that made blacksmith shop Adirondack Iron a holiday favorite. In it, the smith hammers out a little tree ornament and hangs it on the family tree as a handmade gift. The Adirondack Iron ornament video has more than 12.6 million views. You can bring that same hand forged Christmas decor look home without a forge. Start with a mantel full of black iron shapes on fresh garland, a favorite trick from our Christmas mantel ideas..

You will need: Fresh or faux pine garland, red berry picks, pinecones, 10 to 15 black metal ornaments (stars, trees, hearts, snowflakes), black jute twine, small adhesive hooks.

How to make it: 1. Hang the garland on hooks along the mantel and let the ends drape down the sides. 2. Tuck berries and pinecones into the greenery every few inches. 3. Tie each ornament on twine at different lengths and space the shapes evenly across the front.

A Twisted Iron Tree Ornament

This is the ornament that started it all, the little iron tree from the viral video. The spiral hook at the top is the signature detail of a blacksmith piece, because the smith twists the hot bar while it is still soft. You can buy one from a local metal artist at a craft fair, or make a close copy at home with thick black craft wire. Hang it front and center on a branch where the light hits it. For more simple shapes to try, browse our handmade Christmas ornaments and mix a few iron trees in with them.

You will need: Thick black aluminum craft wire (12 gauge), round nose pliers, wire cutters, a pencil, a small flat file.

How to make it: 1. Bend the wire into a zigzag tree shape, wider at the bottom, about 3 inches tall. 2. Leave a 3 inch tail at the top and wrap it around a pencil to form a spiral. 3. Curl the very end into a hook, file any sharp tips and hang.

Hand Forged Christmas Decor Star Tree Topper

A dark iron star on top of the tree feels bold and timeless at the same time. It is the kind of hand forged Christmas decor piece that families keep for decades, because it never fades, chips or goes out of style. Pair it with wood bead garland and plain red balls for a classic farmhouse tree. If you like a homemade version, cut a star from thin sheet metal or sturdy chipboard and paint it flat black. Our tree topper ideas show more easy ways to finish the top of your tree.

You will need: A five point star template, thick chipboard or thin craft sheet metal, flat black spray paint, a wooden dowel or coiled wire stem, strong glue.

How to make it: 1. Trace and cut two identical stars and glue them back to back. 2. Glue a coiled wire or dowel stem between the layers. 3. Spray both sides flat black, let it dry and slide the stem onto the top branch.

Scroll Iron Stocking Hooks

Heavy stocking holders can cost a small fortune, but simple iron hooks give the same rustic charm. The curled scroll end is a classic blacksmith shape, and it looks lovely against a white mantel and red plaid stockings. Iron hooks are also strong, so stockings stuffed with treats will stay put on Christmas morning. Look for old coat hooks at flea markets, or use plain new hooks with a coat of flat black paint. Pair them with our DIY Christmas stockings for a matching set.

You will need: Three or four black iron coat hooks with weighted bases or a small wood block, felt pads, flat black paint, plaid stockings, pine garland.

How to make it: 1. Paint any shiny hooks flat black and let them dry. 2. Stick felt pads under each base to protect the mantel. 3. Space the hooks evenly, hang a stocking on each and weave garland between them.

Hand Forged Christmas Decor Snowflakes

Black snowflakes on a snowy white tree make a striking, modern farmhouse look. Real hand forged Christmas decor snowflakes have a hammered texture that catches the light, and every one is a little different, just like the real thing. If you love the look but want to keep the cost low, cut snowflake shapes from chipboard and dab on dark gray and black paint for a hammered feel. They also look wonderful hung in a window. Our paper snowflake ideas give you plenty of patterns to trace.

You will need: Snowflake patterns, thick chipboard, a craft knife, flat black and charcoal gray paint, a sponge, black twine.

How to make it: 1. Trace and cut the snowflakes with adult help on the craft knife. 2. Paint them flat black and let them dry. 3. Dab a little gray paint with a sponge for a hammered look, then add twine loops and hang.

A Wrought Iron Wreath Hanger

A plain wire wreath hanger does the job, but a scrolled iron one turns the front door into a welcome sign. The curls at the top look like old gate work, and they frame the wreath beautifully. Many metal artists sell these, and you can also find painted iron hangers at hardware stores for a few dollars. Choose a full pine wreath with pinecones and a red plaid bow for that farmhouse feel. For more door looks, see our Christmas wreaths and pick a style that suits your porch.

You will need: A black iron or metal over the door wreath hanger, felt tape, a pine wreath, pinecones, red plaid ribbon, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Add felt tape inside the hanger so it does not scratch the door. 2. Wire pinecones and a big plaid bow onto the wreath. 3. Hook the hanger over the door and hang the wreath so it sits at eye level.

A Horseshoe Christmas Tree for the Yard

Old horseshoes are a favorite of farm country blacksmiths, and they make the cutest yard tree. Rows of shoes, from wide at the bottom to narrow at the top, form a perfect triangle, and a small iron star finishes it off. Welded versions are sold at farm stores and craft fairs, but you can make a no weld copy by wiring shoes to a wood frame. Stand it by the fence or the front steps. It goes perfectly with our Christmas front porch ideas.

You will need: About 15 old horseshoes, a triangle frame of three wood boards, heavy black wire, pliers, a metal star, flat black spray paint, a stake.

How to make it: 1. Build a simple wood triangle and paint it black. 2. Wire the horseshoes to the frame in rows of 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1. 3. Wire the star on top and push the stake into the ground behind it.

Hand Forged Christmas Decor Reindeer for the Porch

Railroad spike animals are a beloved blacksmith classic, and this little reindeer steals the show on any porch. The body is a spike, the legs are thin bars and the antlers are curved by hand, so each one has its own personality. A red ribbon around the neck makes it ready for Christmas. This kind of hand forged Christmas decor is best bought from a smith, but a wire and wood copy is a fun family project. Set it near a plaid blanket and greenery, like our winter porch decor ideas.

You will need: A small log or thick dowel for the body, four thin dowels for legs, a twig or wire antlers, black paint, wood glue, red ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Paint the log and dowels flat black. 2. Glue the legs and a small head piece to the body and let it set. 3. Glue on the antlers and tie a red ribbon around the neck.

A Little Iron Heart Gift Tag

A small iron heart turns a plain brown package into a gift that feels personal. The best part is that the tag becomes a second present, because it can hang on the tree year after year. Blacksmiths often sell little forged hearts for a few dollars, which makes them perfect for teachers, neighbors and friends. You can also bend black wire into a heart in minutes. Add twine and a sprig of pine for a rustic finish, and see our DIY Christmas gift tags for more wrapping ideas.

You will need: Small metal hearts or 14 gauge black craft wire, pliers, kraft paper, jute twine, fresh pine sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Bend the wire into a heart and twist the ends together at the top. 2. Wrap the gift in kraft paper and tie it with twine. 3. Slip a pine sprig under the knot and tie the heart on top.

Twisted Iron Napkin Rings

Napkin rings are a small detail, but twisted iron ones make a table look finished and grown up. Against white plates and red plaid napkins, the black metal feels warm and rustic, not cold. A sprig of rosemary on top adds a fresh scent that guests notice right away. You can make a set in an evening by twisting two strands of black wire together and coiling them into rings. Our DIY napkin rings have more styles to mix in for a big family dinner.

You will need: 16 gauge black craft wire, pliers, wire cutters, a paper towel tube for shaping, plaid cloth napkins, rosemary and pine sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Cut two 20 inch pieces of wire and twist them together tightly. 2. Wrap the twist around the paper towel tube two times and tuck the ends in. 3. Slide a rolled napkin through and add a sprig of rosemary.

Iron Hooks for a Doorway Garland

Hanging garland over a doorway is one of the easiest ways to make a house feel like Christmas. Small black iron hooks with curled ends hold it up and add a pretty detail at the same time. Put one hook at each top corner and one in the center, then let the ends drape down the sides. If you rent or want to avoid nails, black adhesive hooks give the same look. Tuck in red berries for color, and use our DIY Christmas garland ideas to make your own greenery.

You will need: Pine or cedar garland, three or more small black iron hooks or black adhesive hooks, red berry picks, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Place a hook at each top corner of the door frame and one in the middle. 2. Drape the garland across, letting it dip a little between hooks. 3. Wire the ends to the frame and tuck berry picks in every foot.

A Black Iron Bell on a Leather Strap

There is something so welcoming about a bell that rings each time the door opens. A heavy iron bell on a thick leather strap feels like it came straight off an old farm wagon. Hang it on the front door, a barn door or a gate, and tuck a sprig of pine and red berries at the top for Christmas. Old bells are easy to find at antique stores. For a lighter version, paint a craft bell flat black, and see our DIY Christmas bells for more ways to use them.

You will need: An iron bell or a large craft bell, flat black paint, a leather belt or strap, a metal ring, a door hook, pine sprigs, red berries.

How to make it: 1. Paint the bell flat black if needed and let it dry. 2. Loop the strap through the bell ring and fasten it with the buckle or a rivet. 3. Hang it on the hook and tuck greenery behind the top.

Hand Forged Christmas Decor Chain Link Tree

A tree made from coiled chain is clever, sturdy and totally unique. Metal workers often use old chain and leftover rod, so this piece of hand forged Christmas decor also has a nice recycled story. The coil gets smaller as it climbs, and a little iron star sits on top. You can copy it with hardware store chain wrapped around a cone of chicken wire, a fun idea from our chicken wire crafts. Set it on a shelf with pinecones for a cozy cabin look.

You will need: About 10 feet of black metal chain, a chicken wire or foam cone, black zip ties or floral wire, a small metal star, pinecones.

How to make it: 1. Shape a cone about 12 inches tall from chicken wire. 2. Starting at the bottom, coil the chain up the cone and tie it every few inches. 3. Wire the star on top and set pinecones around the base.

Hammered Copper and Iron Mini Trees

Copper and black iron look amazing together, warm and dark side by side. A row of cone trees in different heights makes a shelf or mantel look styled in seconds. Metal artists hammer these from sheet copper and steel, but paper cones painted in metallic copper and flat black give a close match for very little money. Dab the copper ones with a sponge for a hammered look. Line them up on a shelf, or use them as a centerpiece as in our farmhouse Christmas decor ideas.

You will need: Cardstock or paper mache cones in three heights, metallic copper paint, flat black paint, a sponge, a little fresh greenery.

How to make it: 1. Paint half the cones copper and half flat black and let them dry. 2. Sponge a darker copper over the copper cones for a hammered texture. 3. Line them up by height and tuck greenery around the base.

Hand Forged Christmas Decor Advent Hooks

An advent board with iron hooks is a pretty way to count down to Christmas. A row of small hand forged Christmas decor hooks on a barn wood plank holds little burlap and red bags, one for each day. Kids love opening a bag each morning, and the board can hang in the kitchen or the hall all season. After the holidays it works as a key or coat rack, so it earns its place all year. Fill the bags with treats or notes, as in our DIY advent calendars.

You will need: A barn wood plank about 3 feet long, 12 to 24 small black metal hooks, small nails, burlap and red fabric drawstring bags, sawtooth hangers.

How to make it: 1. Mark evenly spaced spots for the hooks along the plank. 2. Nail the hooks in place with adult help. 3. Add hangers on the back, hang the board and fill a bag for each day.

A Wire Tree Christmas Card Holder

Christmas cards deserve a spot where everyone can see them. This black wire tree holds cards on little clips, and it looks like a piece of art even when it is empty. The open shape is pure blacksmith style, simple and strong, with a star on top. Make one by bending heavy wire into a tree outline on a flat base and adding small black clips. Set it on a side table with pine sprigs, and find more card crafts in our pop up card ideas.

You will need: Heavy black craft wire or a thin metal rod, pliers, a small wood base, a drill bit for the base with adult help, mini black clips, a metal star.

How to make it: 1. Bend the wire into a tree outline with three straight tiers. 2. Push the stem into a small wood base and glue it in place. 3. Clip cards on each tier and wire a star to the top.