Joanna Gaines Christmas Style: 14 Farmhouse DIY Ideas You Can Make for a Few Dollars

Joanna Gaines Christmas style has a way of making a home feel calm, warm and welcoming, even in the busiest month of the year. Since she and her husband Chip first shared their farmhouse look on the HGTV show Fixer Upper in 2013, millions of people have fallen for her simple mix of fresh greenery, natural wood, soft neutrals and vintage finds. The good news is that you do not need a big budget or a designer to bring that feeling home. Most of these ideas use thrift store treasures, clippings from the yard and a few dollars of craft supplies. This list is simply inspired by her style, so make every idea your own. Here are 14 Joanna Gaines Christmas ideas you can make yourself this season..

A Simple Evergreen Mantel, the Heart of Joanna Gaines Christmas Style

Joanna Gaines, the designer and author who became famous on Fixer Upper, is known for rooms that feel collected and relaxed rather than flashy. A mantel is the easiest place to start. Drape a full evergreen garland across the shelf, layer a wood bead garland over it and hang simple striped stockings below. Add one vintage piece, like a wooden bowl, and stop there. The secret is restraint: a few natural textures look richer than a pile of shiny decorations. Would your mantel look better with less this year..

You will need: A long fresh or faux evergreen garland, command hooks or garland clips, a wood bead garland, stocking hooks, one vintage wooden bowl or crate.

How to make it: 1. Clip the evergreen garland along the mantel and let the ends hang down the sides. 2. Drape the wood bead garland in soft swoops on top. 3. Hang stockings evenly and add one vintage piece at one end.

Wood Bead Garland in an Afternoon

Wood bead garlands are everywhere in farmhouse homes, and they cost a fraction of store prices when you string them yourself. Buy a bag of unfinished wood beads in two or three sizes, thread them onto jute twine and finish each end with a fluffy jute tassel. Lay it across a tray, wrap it around a tree or drape it over the mantel. Leave the beads natural for a Scandinavian feel, or dip a few in white paint for contrast. It is a calm, simple project for a cozy evening. Where would you drape yours first?

You will need: Unfinished wood beads in 2 or 3 sizes, jute twine, a large blunt needle, scissors, a small piece of cardboard for tassels.

How to make it: 1. Cut a long piece of twine and knot one end. 2. Thread beads in a repeating pattern of sizes. 3. Wrap twine around cardboard to make two tassels and tie one to each end.

Vintage Bread Bowl Filled With Greenery Is Pure Joanna Gaines Christmas

A worn wooden dough bowl filled with greenery is one of the most loved pieces of Joanna Gaines Christmas style, and you can find one at almost any thrift store or flea market. Line the bowl with a little plastic, then pack it with clippings of cedar, pine and eucalyptus from your yard or the tree lot. Tuck in a few pine cones and let some branches spill over the edges. It looks beautiful on a kitchen island or dining table and lasts for weeks with a quick mist of water. What could you fill a thrifted bowl with?

You will need: A wooden dough bowl or long wooden tray, plastic liner, floral foam (optional), cedar, pine and eucalyptus clippings, small pine cones, a spray bottle.

How to make it: 1. Line the bowl and add damp floral foam if you have it. 2. Push in the longest branches first so they hang over the ends. 3. Fill the center with shorter sprigs and pine cones, then mist with water.

Ticking Stripe Stockings

Ticking stripe fabric is a farmhouse classic, and it makes stockings that look like heirlooms for very little money. Trace an old stocking onto folded fabric, sew around the edge and add a cuff from natural linen or a cut up thrifted shirt. A loop of jute or leather finishes the look. If you do not sew, iron on hem tape works well too. Tuck a sprig of greenery into each one so they look full even before Christmas morning. Hang them on a shiplap wall or bench. How many stockings does your family need?

You will need: Ticking stripe fabric, natural linen for cuffs, an old stocking as a pattern, a sewing machine or iron on hem tape, jute twine or a leather strip, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Trace and cut two stocking shapes for each stocking. 2. Sew or tape around the edges, leaving the top open, and turn right side out. 3. Add a folded linen cuff and a hanging loop.

Cotton Stem Wreath

Cotton stems became a symbol of farmhouse decor, partly because they feel so close to the Texas roots of the Fixer Upper style. A cotton wreath is soft, neutral and works from fall right through winter. Start with a grapevine or wire wreath form and tuck in short cotton stems all the way around, securing each with floral wire. Add a few sprigs of eucalyptus for a touch of green and hang it with a wide linen ribbon. It looks just as good indoors over a mirror. Would you hang yours inside or out?

You will need: A grapevine wreath form, dried cotton stems, floral wire, wire cutters, a few eucalyptus sprigs, a wide linen ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Cut cotton stems to about 4 inches long. 2. Wire them all the way around the wreath form, overlapping slightly. 3. Tuck in eucalyptus and hang with a linen ribbon.

Galvanized Bucket Tree Collar With Joanna Gaines Christmas Charm

A plastic tree stand is not pretty, but a galvanized bucket hides it instantly and adds instant Joanna Gaines Christmas charm. Look for a big metal tub at a farm supply store or flea market, set the tree stand inside and fill any gaps with a folded burlap sack or a plaid blanket. For a tabletop tree, a small pail works the same way. The worn metal goes perfectly with natural wood ornaments and white lights. It is a ten minute project with a big payoff. Do you already have an old bucket in the garage?

You will need: A large galvanized bucket or tub, your tree stand, burlap or an old blanket to fill gaps, a few bricks for height if needed.

How to make it: 1. Set the tree stand inside the bucket, using bricks if you need extra height. 2. Place the tree in the stand and tighten it. 3. Tuck burlap around the top to hide the stand completely.

Kraft Paper Gift Wrap With Twine and Greenery

Plain brown kraft paper is cheap, recyclable and looks wonderful under a farmhouse tree. Wrap every gift in the same paper, tie it with jute twine or a cotton ribbon and tuck a small sprig of greenery under the knot. Cedar, rosemary and eucalyptus all smell lovely. Stamp initials instead of using tags, or write names in white paint pen. When all the gifts match, the whole tree looks calm and pulled together. A big roll of kraft paper costs only a few dollars and lasts all season. Which greenery would you tuck under the twine?

You will need: A roll of brown kraft paper, tape, jute twine or cotton ribbon, small greenery sprigs, a white paint pen or alphabet stamps.

How to make it: 1. Wrap each gift neatly in kraft paper. 2. Tie twine around it in both directions and knot on top. 3. Slip a sprig of greenery under the knot and mark the name.

Olive Branch and Cedar Centerpiece

A long, low runner of greenery is one of the easiest centerpieces you will ever make, and it lets guests see each other across the table. Lay olive branches and cedar straight down the middle of the table, overlapping them so the stems are hidden. Add a few small brass bells or wooden beads for sparkle and set white dishes on either side. Real olive branches are pretty, but faux ones last longer and can be reused every year. Mist fresh cedar the night before your dinner. Who is coming to your holiday table this year?

You will need: Olive branches (real or faux), fresh cedar or pine clippings, small brass bells or wood beads, a spray bottle.

How to make it: 1. Lay the longest cedar branches end to end down the table. 2. Layer olive branches on top, hiding all the cut stems. 3. Scatter bells or beads along the runner.

Wooden Crate Ornament Display

Old wooden crates and divided boxes show up everywhere in farmhouse rooms because they make anything look collected. Hang a crate sideways on the wall and fill each section with ornaments in white, clear glass and natural wood, plus a few sprigs of greenery. It becomes a mini shadow box that shows off special ornaments that might get lost on the tree. A vintage soda crate on a table works too. If you love making your own, our old fashioned handmade ornaments fit perfectly. Which ornaments would you show off?

You will need: An old wooden crate or divided box, two sturdy picture hangers, a drill (adult help), ornaments in neutral colors, small greenery sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Clean the crate and add hangers to the back. 2. Hang it on the wall, checking it is level and secure. 3. Arrange ornaments and greenery in each section.

Paper Star Lanterns for a Soft Joanna Gaines Christmas Glow

Paper star lanterns bring a soft, warm glow that fits a Joanna Gaines Christmas look perfectly, and you can fold one from a few sheets of heavy paper. Cut matching kite shapes, score and fold them, then punch a simple dot pattern with a needle tool before gluing the points together. Hang one in a window or over the dining table with a battery puck light or LED bulb inside, never a candle. Cream and white paper look the most farmhouse, and a cluster of sizes is beautiful. Which window would you hang yours in?

You will need: Heavy cream or white paper, a ruler, a bone folder or butter knife for scoring, a needle tool, glue, a battery LED puck light or LED cord.

How to make it: 1. Cut 10 matching kite shapes and score down the center of each. 2. Punch a dot pattern, then fold and glue the shapes into a star. 3. Slip in a battery LED light and hang it.

Brass Bell Cluster on the Front Door

Old brass bells have a warm, timeworn look and a lovely sound every time the door opens. Tie three or four bells of different sizes together with a wide velvet ribbon, tuck in a sprig of cedar and hang the cluster from the door handle or a hook. Thrift stores and antique malls often have bells for a few dollars. It is a sweet alternative to a wreath, especially for narrow doors or interior doors like the pantry. Who in your home will love hearing them jingle?

You will need: Three or four brass bells, a wide cream velvet ribbon, a sprig of cedar, floral wire, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Thread the ribbon through the bell loops at different heights. 2. Tie a big bow at the top and wire in a cedar sprig. 3. Hang the cluster from the door handle or a hook.

White Ceramic Trees

White ceramic trees are a soft, modern take on the vintage glowing trees many of us remember from Grandma’s house. You can shape your own from white air dry clay by forming a cone, smoothing it with water and pressing small holes or star shapes all over with a straw or tiny cutter. Once dry, give it a coat of matte sealer. Make three in different heights and group them on a shelf, mantel or windowsill with a little greenery. A battery tea light can sit safely underneath a hollow one. Which height would you make first?

You will need: White air dry clay, a cone shaped paper form, a drinking straw or tiny star cutter, a craft knife (adult help), water, matte sealer, a battery tea light (optional).

How to make it: 1. Wrap clay around a paper cone and smooth the surface. 2. Press holes or stars in rows and let it dry for 48 hours. 3. Remove the paper, seal and display.

Antique Window Frame Wreath Hanger

An old window frame with chippy white paint is a farmhouse treasure, and it makes a stunning backdrop for a wreath. Look for one at salvage yards or yard sales, clean it gently and seal any loose paint. Hang the frame on the wall, then tie a ribbon over the top so a wreath hangs right in the center. It instantly fills a big empty wall above a bench, console or bed. You can also lean it on a mantel. Remove any glass first if little ones are around. Where would an old window look best in your home?

You will need: An old window frame, a damp cloth, clear matte sealer, heavy duty picture hangers, a drill (adult help), a fresh or faux wreath, a linen ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the frame clean and seal any flaking paint. 2. Mount it securely on the wall with heavy duty hangers. 3. Tie a ribbon over the top and hang the wreath in the center.

Plaid Blanket Ladder Finishes a Joanna Gaines Christmas Living Room

A blanket ladder is the cozy finishing touch for a Joanna Gaines Christmas living room, and it takes only two long boards and a few dowels. Sand the wood smooth, drill holes for the rungs and glue them in, then stain it a warm brown or leave it raw. Drape a buffalo plaid throw and a chunky knit blanket over the rungs and tie a sprig of evergreen at the top. Guests can grab a blanket on movie night, and the ladder works all winter long. Which blankets would you hang on yours?

You will need: Two 1×3 boards about 6 feet long, 4 or 5 wooden dowels, a drill with a spade bit (adult help), wood glue, sandpaper, stain, cozy blankets.

How to make it: 1. Mark rung holes every 12 inches on both boards and drill them. 2. Glue the dowels into the holes and let it dry. 3. Sand, stain and lean it against the wall with blankets draped over.