Lou Henry Hoover Christmas: 15 Cozy Cabin Ideas From the First Lady Who Started the White House Tree Tradition
A Lou Henry Hoover Christmas is the perfect excuse to bring the outdoors inside and make your home feel like a snowy mountain cabin. Lou Henry Hoover was First Lady from 1929 to 1933, and in 1929 she began a sweet tradition. She was the first presidential wife to decorate the official White House Christmas tree, and first ladies have done it ever since. She also loved the open air. Her father taught her to camp and ride when she was a girl, and she later led the Girl Scouts. She even saw to the building of a quiet presidential retreat called Rapidan Camp. That mix of holiday cheer and fresh pine air is what this list is all about. Below are fifteen rustic, budget friendly cabin ideas you can make this weekend. Grab some pine cones and let’s get started..
Lou Henry Hoover Christmas Starts With a Cozy Cabin Tree
Picture the first lady who started a tradition that still lights up the White House every December. In 1929 Lou Henry Hoover decorated the first official White House Christmas tree, and every first lady since has followed her lead. You can give your own tree the same outdoorsy spirit with pine cones, red wooden beads and simple birch twig stars. Learn more about her life in this Lou Henry Hoover biography. For more first lady holiday history, see these charming White House traditions. Then tie your first twig star and see how good it looks..
You will need: thin birch or other straight twigs, jute twine, a hot glue gun (adult help), pine cones, red wooden bead garland, a plaid throw for the tree skirt.
How to make it: 1. Cut five twigs the same length and glue them into a star shape. 2. Wrap each joint with jute twine for a rustic look. 3. Hang the stars on your tree with pine cones and red bead garland, then wrap a plaid throw around the base.
Pine Cone and Birch Twig Garland
A garland made from things you find on a walk feels just right for a woman who loved the woods. Pine cones and pale birch twigs look striking against a dark log or stone mantel. Gather them on a dry day and let them sit in a warm room for a few days first. For more ideas with your forest finds, browse these pine cone Christmas crafts. Bake the cones at a low heat (adult help) to open them fully.
You will need: about 20 pine cones, a bundle of birch twigs, jute twine, small eye hooks, a hot glue gun (adult help), pine sprigs.
How to make it: 1. Twist a small eye hook into the base of each pine cone. 2. Tie pairs of birch twigs into small bundles with twine. 3. Thread cones and twig bundles onto a long piece of jute, spacing them evenly, and drape it with pine sprigs.
Vintage Snowshoes as Wall Decor
Old wooden snowshoes are pure cabin charm, and they fill a big bare wall in seconds. Cross them in an X, tuck a cluster of pine boughs in the middle and finish with a red wool ribbon. Look for a worn pair at flea markets or antique shops in winter. For more ways to dress up the spot by your front door, see these winter entryway ideas. Use two sturdy wall hooks, since old snowshoes can be heavy.
You will need: a pair of vintage wooden snowshoes, two sturdy wall hooks, pine boughs, red berries, a wide red wool ribbon, floral wire.
How to make it: 1. Hang the snowshoes crossed in an X on two wall hooks. 2. Wire a small bundle of pine boughs and berries where they meet. 3. Tie a big red ribbon bow over the wire to hide it.
Canoe Paddle Door Hanger
A canoe paddle on the front door tells every guest that this is an outdoors kind of home. Paint a few simple stripes in red and cream, then top it with a lush evergreen swag. It works all winter long, not just on Christmas Day. Find more bundle ideas in these Christmas door swags. Seal the paint so it holds up to snow and rain.
You will need: a wooden canoe paddle, painter’s tape, red and cream acrylic paint, a clear outdoor sealer, evergreen branches, pine cones, plaid ribbon, a door hanger.
How to make it: 1. Tape off two or three stripes on the paddle blade and paint them. 2. Seal the paddle with clear outdoor sealer. 3. Wire evergreen branches and pine cones into a swag, tie it to the paddle top with plaid ribbon and hang it.
Lou Henry Hoover Christmas Lantern Trio for the Porch
Three lanterns glowing on the steps make your porch look like a cabin waiting for guests. Use battery fairy lights inside instead of candles, so they are safe near kids, pets and dry pine. Different heights make the grouping look planned and pretty, and this is one of the easiest Lou Henry Hoover Christmas ideas on the list. For more styles, see these Christmas lantern ideas. Pick lights with a timer so they turn on at dusk.
You will need: three black metal lanterns in different sizes, battery fairy lights with timers, pine boughs, pine cones.
How to make it: 1. Coil a strand of battery fairy lights inside each lantern. 2. Group the lanterns on the porch steps, tallest at the back. 3. Tuck pine boughs and cones around the bases and set the timers.
Mini Tree in a Picnic Basket
A tiny tree in an old picnic basket feels like a holiday on a mountain trail. Line the basket with a red check cloth and add a few small pine cones and wooden beads. It is the perfect size for a kitchen table, a desk or a guest room. For more nature inspired looks, see this woodland Christmas decor. Water a live tree every few days.
You will need: a vintage wicker picnic basket, a small potted pine, a red check cloth, a plastic liner, tiny pine cones, red wooden bead garland.
How to make it: 1. Set a plastic liner in the basket and place the potted tree inside. 2. Tuck the red check cloth around the pot to hide it. 3. Decorate the tree with tiny pine cones and a short red bead garland.
Birch Log Twig Reindeer
These little log reindeer look like they wandered right out of the woods and onto your porch. They use only birch logs and sturdy twigs, with short twig ears instead of antlers. Wrap a red wool scarf around the bigger one for a sweet touch. For more outdoor ideas, browse this winter porch decor. Ask an adult to drill and cut the logs.
You will need: one thick birch log for the body, one smaller log for the head, four long sturdy twigs for legs, short twigs for ears, a drill (adult help), wood glue, a small wool scarf.
How to make it: 1. Drill four openings under the body log and one at the front for the neck (adult help). 2. Glue in the twig legs and a short twig neck, then attach the head log. 3. Add two short twig ears and tie on the scarf.
Lou Henry Hoover Christmas Camp Cup Ornaments
Small enamel camp cups make the cutest ornaments for an outdoorsy tree. Their red and white color looks bright against green branches, and they will never break. Hang them with jute loops among wooden beads and pine cones for a true Lou Henry Hoover Christmas feel. For more homemade tree trims, see these handmade Christmas ornaments. Look for mini cups in camping aisles or thrift shops.
You will need: mini enamel camp cups in red and white, jute twine, wooden bead garland, pine cones.
How to make it: 1. Cut 8 inch pieces of jute twine. 2. Thread one through each cup handle and tie a loop. 3. Hang the cups evenly around the tree with bead garland and pine cones.
Old Map Ornaments
Map ornaments are a lovely way to remember the trails, rivers and mountains your family loves. Cut an old map into small pieces and glue them smoothly onto clear ornaments with decoupage medium. A glossy top coat makes them shine like little globes. For more custom ideas, see these personalized Christmas ornaments. Pick map sections from a place that matters to you.
You will need: clear plastic or glass ornaments, an old paper map, scissors, decoupage medium in gloss, a soft brush, twine.
How to make it: 1. Cut the map into small pieces about one inch wide. 2. Brush decoupage medium onto a small area and smooth on map pieces, overlapping them. 3. Cover the entire ornament, let it dry, then add a gloss top coat.
Pressed Fern Glass Ornaments
Pressed ferns inside clear ornaments look like tiny pieces of a forest frozen in glass. They are simple, elegant and cost very little to make. Hang them on a bare branch by a sunny window for a quiet Lou Henry Hoover Christmas look, and watch the light shine through the leaves. For more ways to use dried greenery, see these pressed flower crafts. Press the ferns for at least a week first.
You will need: small fern fronds, heavy books, parchment paper, flat clear disc ornaments that open, twine, a bare birch branch.
How to make it: 1. Press the ferns between parchment paper inside heavy books for one week. 2. Open each ornament and slide one fern inside. 3. Close the ornament, tie on a twine loop and hang it from the branch.
Lou Henry Hoover Christmas Stamped Muslin Gift Bags
Stamped muslin bags are the rustic answer to piles of paper wrap. A simple pine tree stamp in green looks hand made in the best way. They can be used again every year, which fits the thrifty, outdoorsy spirit of a Lou Henry Hoover Christmas. For more reusable wrap ideas, see these fabric gift bags. Put cardboard inside each bag so the paint does not soak through.
You will need: plain muslin drawstring bags, a pine tree stamp, green fabric paint, a foam brush, cardboard, red twine, cedar sprigs, blank kraft tags.
How to make it: 1. Slide cardboard inside each bag. 2. Brush green fabric paint on the stamp and press it on the bag two or three times. 3. Let it dry, fill the bag and tie it with red twine and a cedar sprig.
Lou Henry Hoover Christmas Camp Cocoa Gift Crate
A cocoa crate is the perfect gift for anyone who loves a cold walk and a warm drink after. Pack a plain thermos, two camp mugs, homemade cocoa mix and a soft wool blanket. It looks generous, costs less than a store bought basket and brings a Lou Henry Hoover Christmas feel to any doorstep. For more cozy drink ideas, browse these hot cocoa bar ideas. Add a handwritten note with your cocoa recipe.
You will need: a small wooden crate, a plain thermos, two enamel camp mugs, glass jars, cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, a folded wool blanket, pine sprigs.
How to make it: 1. Fill one jar with cocoa mix and one with marshmallows. 2. Lay the folded blanket in the crate as a base. 3. Arrange the thermos, mugs and jars on top and tuck in pine sprigs.
Birdseed Ornaments for Outdoor Trees
Birdseed ornaments turn a tree in your yard into a winter feast for the birds. Kids love making them, and you will love watching from the window. Small wreath shapes and seed covered pine cones look sweet tied with red ribbon. For more ways to help backyard birds, see these DIY bird feeders. Hang them where cats cannot reach.
You will need: 2 cups birdseed, 1 packet unflavored gelatin, 1/2 cup warm water, 3 tablespoons flour, small wreath shaped molds, pine cones, shortening, red ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Mix gelatin into warm water, then stir in flour and birdseed. 2. Press the mix into greased wreath molds and let them set overnight. 3. Coat pine cones in shortening, roll them in seed and hang everything with red ribbon.
Lou Henry Hoover Christmas Twig Log Cabin Centerpiece
A tiny twig cabin is a charming nod to the quiet mountain retreat Lou Henry Hoover helped build. Stack small twigs like logs, top it with moss and dust it with faux snow. Surround it with bottle brush trees for a little winter village on your table. For more simple country crafts, see these primitive Christmas crafts. Choose twigs of the same thickness for neat walls.
You will need: straight twigs, a small cardboard box for the frame, a hot glue gun (adult help), sheet moss, faux snow, bottle brush trees, pine cones.
How to make it: 1. Cut the cardboard box into a simple house shape with a peaked roof. 2. Glue twigs side by side across each wall like logs. 3. Cover the roof with moss, dust on faux snow and set bottle brush trees around it.
Sleigh Bell Door Hanger
Lou Henry Hoover learned to ride as a girl, and sleigh bells bring back that old horse and sleigh feeling. A cluster of brass bells on a leather strap jingles every time the door opens. Add a plaid bow and a sprig of pine to finish your Lou Henry Hoover Christmas door. For more jingle ideas, see these DIY Christmas bells. Hang it on the inside of the door if your door is glass.
You will need: a wide leather strap about 24 inches long, 5 to 7 brass sleigh bells, a leather punch (adult help), small brass rivets, plaid ribbon, a pine sprig, a door hook.
How to make it: 1. Punch small openings down the strap about 3 inches apart (adult help). 2. Attach a bell at each opening with a small rivet. 3. Tie a plaid bow and pine sprig at the top and hang it on the door hook.
