Reba McEntire Christmas: 20 Old Fashioned Country Ideas Inspired by Her Childhood Cedar Tree
Reba McEntire Christmas memories start in an Oklahoma field, not a store. She grew up on a big family ranch, and her daddy drove everyone out in the truck to a field full of wild cedar trees, where they hunted for the right one until they were cold and hungry. Back home, Mama let Reba and her sister Susie decorate first, and the girls would rear back and throw the tinsel all over it. You can read the sweet story in this NBC Insider interview on AOL. This gallery turns that old fashioned country feeling into 20 easy ideas you can make at home, from cedar garlands and popcorn strings to kraft paper gifts and a simple family supper table. Every idea is inspired by her story, costs very little, and lists what you will need plus quick steps to make your own Reba McEntire Christmas at home..
Reba McEntire Christmas Starts With a Cedar Tree
This room is the full Reba McEntire Christmas mood in one picture. A bushy cedar tree stands in the corner with silver tinsel, old glass ornaments and a straw angel on top. A patchwork quilt hides the stand, and plain kraft paper gifts sit underneath. A red plaid blanket waits on the rocking chair. Nothing here is fancy or expensive, and that is the point. It looks like a farmhouse where the kids helped with everything, just like the old fashioned tree at Grandma’s house so many of us remember..
You will need: A fresh cedar or other evergreen tree, a tree stand, silver tinsel, glass ornaments, a straw angel, an old quilt, kraft paper gifts, a plaid throw.
How to make it: Set the tree in water in a cool corner. Add the ornaments first, then the tinsel. Wrap the quilt around the stand, stack the gifts and drape the throw on a nearby chair.
The Reba McEntire Christmas Tree Hunt
Reba has said her daddy took the family out in the truck to a field with a ton of cedar trees, and they searched until they were cold and hungry. You can make the tree hunt a tradition too. Many tree farms let you cut your own, and some rural landowners allow it with permission. Bring gloves, a saw and a thermos of cocoa. Snap a photo of the tree riding home in the truck bed, just like this red truck Christmas decor look.
You will need: A local cut your own tree farm, work gloves, a hand saw, rope or bungee cords, an old blanket for the truck bed, a thermos of cocoa.
How to make it: Pick a tree with a straight trunk and full sides. Cut low and level. Lay it on the blanket, tie it down, and give the trunk a fresh cut before it goes in water at home.
The Reba McEntire Christmas Tinsel Toss
Mama McEntire let Reba and Susie decorate the tree first, and Reba remembers how they would rear back and throw the tinsel all on it. A couple of days later grown ups redid the tree, and the girls asked to do it over. Give your kids their own tree and let them go wild. A small tree in a bucket, a box of tinsel and a stack of paper ornaments is all it takes. See more in this tinsel Christmas decor guide.
You will need: A small potted tree or tabletop tree, a metal bucket, silver tinsel, construction paper, safety scissors, crayons, yarn, a foil covered cardboard star.
How to make it: Set the tree in the bucket on an old sheet. Hand the kids the tinsel and paper shapes. Let them hang everything their way and do not fix it. Add the foil star last.
String a Popcorn and Cranberry Garland
Before store bought garlands, country families strung popcorn and cranberries at the kitchen table. It is still one of the cheapest ways to fill a big tree, and it looks wonderful on rough cedar branches. Pop the corn a day ahead so it goes a little stale and does not crumble on the needle. Five popcorn pieces and one cranberry is an easy rhythm for kids. It is a classic primitive Christmas crafts project the entire family can do.
You will need: Plain popped popcorn, a bag of fresh cranberries, a large needle, strong thread or fishing line, a bowl.
How to make it: Thread the needle with a long piece of thread and knot the end. Push the needle through popcorn and berries in a pattern. Tie off the end and drape the strand loosely around the tree.
Bring In Fresh Cedar Branches
Cedar has soft, flat needles and a clean woodsy smell that fills a room. If you cut your own tree, ask for the lower branches that get trimmed off, or pick up free trimmings at a tree lot. Tuck them along a mantel, lay them on a shelf, or stand a few in a crock by the door. The little cones add texture for free. A simple Christmas vase filler like this costs nothing and lasts for weeks in a cool room.
You will need: Fresh cedar branches, pruning shears, a crock or vase, a spray bottle of water.
How to make it: Trim the ends at an angle. Stand some in water and lay the rest along the mantel. Mist them every few days to keep them fresh and soft.
A Reba McEntire Christmas Wreath From Leftover Greens
A homemade wreath is a great way to use the leftover greens from tree day. Mix cedar, pine and any other branches you have, then wire in pinecones and red berries. It does not need to be perfect, and a slightly wild shape looks more country. Hang it on the front door, the barn or even the pickup grille. Want more ideas? Try this wreath ideas roundup.
You will need: A wire wreath frame, cedar and pine cuttings, florist wire, pinecones, faux or fresh red berries, ribbon for hanging.
How to make it: Make small bundles of greens and wire them to the frame, all facing the same way and overlapping. Wire pinecones and berries on top. Add a ribbon loop to hang it.
Hang a Pinecone Swag on Barn Wood
Not every wall needs a wreath. A long swag of evergreen sprigs, pinecones and little red ornaments looks right at home on barn wood or a plank door. Hang it vertically beside the front door or across a porch post. Old barn boards often turn up free on local listings. Here is a full set of Christmas door swags ideas if you love this look.
You will need: Evergreen sprigs, pinecones, small red ornaments, florist wire, a strip of jute twine, a nail or hook.
How to make it: Lay the sprigs in a long line, overlapping them. Wire them together onto the twine. Add pinecones and red baubles along the length, then hang it from the top loop.
Dig Out the Old Glass Ornaments
Old glass ornaments are the heart of a country tree, and many families still have a box from Grandma. If not, thrift stores and estate sales often sell full boxes for a few dollars. Look for faded silver, red and white shapes like bells, houses and teardrops. Hang the heavier ones deep inside the branches where they are safe. If some are scuffed, a little paint fixes them, as in this hand painted ornaments guide.
You will need: Vintage glass ornaments, ornament hooks, a soft cloth, a shallow bowl for spares.
How to make it: Wipe each ornament gently. Replace missing caps and hooks. Hang the biggest ones low and deep, the smaller ones near the tips. Keep a bowl of spares on the table.
Mix Glass Ornaments With Crochet Snowflakes
A country tree loves a little lace. Crochet snowflakes and doily pieces look soft next to shiny glass, and they remind many of us of a grandmother’s handwork. If you do not crochet, cut snowflakes from old doilies and stiffen them. Hang them on the outer tips so the white shows against the green cedar. This pairing fits right into a shabby chic Christmas mood.
You will need: Small crochet snowflakes or old doilies, fabric stiffener, wax paper, glass ornaments, thin thread.
How to make it: Soak the lace in stiffener, press it flat on wax paper and let it dry overnight. Tie a thread loop to each one and hang them between the glass ornaments.
Top the Tree With a Straw Angel
An angel on top is a classic Reba McEntire Christmas touch for any country tree, and straw angels look handmade and humble. You can buy them cheaply or make one from craft straw or raffia. Make a big one for the top and small ones for the branches. The golden color glows nicely against dark cedar even without lights. For more handmade ornaments, see these personalized Christmas ornament ideas.
You will need: Craft straw or raffia, thin gold thread, scissors, a small wooden bead for the head, glue.
How to make it: Fold a bundle of straw in half and tie under the bead for the head. Split out two arms and tie them. Fan out a second bundle for wings, glue it on the back, and add a hanging loop.
Wrap a Little Tree in Burlap
A second small tree on the porch or in the kitchen makes the house feel like Christmas everywhere. Wrap the pot in burlap and tie it with twine for an easy farmhouse finish. A few red ornaments are plenty. If you buy a live tree with its roots, you can plant it outside after the holidays and watch it grow. Here are more galvanized Christmas decor ideas for buckets and tins.
You will need: A small potted tree, a piece of burlap, jute twine, red ornaments.
How to make it: Set the pot in the center of the burlap. Pull the corners up around the trunk and tie with twine. Add a few red baubles and set it by the door.
Pile On Plaid Blankets
When you come in cold and hungry from the tree hunt, a stack of warm plaid blankets is the best welcome. Red and black plaid, fringed throws and wool blankets all say country Christmas. Fold them over a porch rocker, a chair arm or a basket by the door. Add a few pinecones and red baubles to the basket for color. This is a cozy, free way to style a winter porch too.
You will need: Plaid throws, a fringed blanket, a basket, pinecones, a few red ornaments.
How to make it: Fold the throws loosely and stack them in the basket or over a chair. Tuck in the pinecones and ornaments on top so they show.
Display Old Sleigh Bells
Old bells bring back the sound of country Christmas. Brass sleigh bells, cowbells or jingle bells can sit in a little sleigh, hang from a door knob or tie onto a red ribbon. Every time the door opens, they ring. Look for bells at flea markets and farm sales. Set them out on a porch bench like this Christmas porch bench so guests hear them as they arrive.
You will need: Brass sleigh bells or jingle bells, red ribbon, a small decorative sleigh or tray.
How to make it: Thread the bells onto the ribbon and knot between each one. Hang the strand on the door knob, or arrange loose bells in the sleigh.
Kraft Paper Gifts Under a Reba McEntire Christmas Tree
Plain brown paper and twine fit a Reba McEntire Christmas tree better than shiny wrap, and they cost very little. Add a sprig of cedar, a small wooden star or a paper tag. Kids can stamp or draw on the paper too. One big roll wraps every gift in the house, and it recycles easily. For more wrapping tricks, see these gift packaging ideas.
You will need: A roll of kraft paper, jute or cotton twine, tape, cedar sprigs, wooden stars or paper tags.
How to make it: Wrap the gift with the seams on the bottom. Tie twine around both ways and knot on top. Slip a cedar sprig and a star under the knot.
Dry Orange Slices for Ornaments
Dried orange slices were a classic farmhouse ornament because oranges were a special treat at Christmas. They look like little stained glass windows on a tree and smell lovely. Slice thin, dry slowly in a low oven and add a loop of twine. String them into a garland or hang them alone. Pile extras in a wooden dough bowl, as in this dough bowl idea.
You will need: Oranges, a sharp knife, a baking sheet, parchment paper, twine, a large needle.
How to make it: Slice the oranges about 6 mm thick and blot them dry. Bake on parchment at the lowest oven setting for 3 to 4 hours, turning often. Cool and thread with twine.
Tie Up Cinnamon Stick Bundles
Cinnamon bundles are easy, cheap and smell like holiday baking. Tie three or four sticks together with twine or red string and hang them on the tree, tuck them in a garland or add one to every gift. Kids can make dozens in an afternoon. Group extras in a stoneware crock on the counter. This works well with a Christmas crock display too.
You will need: Cinnamon sticks, jute twine or red string, scissors, a dab of glue.
How to make it: Stack three or four sticks. Wrap twine around the middle several times and knot it. Add a dab of glue to hold, then leave a loop to hang.
Fill Mason Jars With Dried Fruit
Once you are drying oranges, keep going. Dried berries, apples and orange slices layered in mason jars make pretty country decor and easy gifts. Line them up on a kitchen shelf or tie a piece of cedar and a tag on each lid. They also make a sweet simmer pot mix when the holidays are over. Here are more Christmas treat jars ideas for gifting.
You will need: Clean mason jars with lids, dried orange slices, dried berries or apple rings, twine, cedar sprigs, tags.
How to make it: Make sure the fruit is fully dry. Layer it in the jars and seal. Tie twine and a cedar sprig around each lid and add a tag.
Gather Pinecones From the Yard
Pinecones are free country decor, and a walk outside to gather them is a fun job for kids. Bake them on low to clean them, then use them everywhere: in bowls, on garlands, on wreaths and as gift toppers. Pile them with evergreen and curls of wood for a simple tabletop. A big basket of them by the fireplace looks great too. See more basket Christmas decor ideas here.
You will need: Pinecones, a baking sheet, foil, evergreen sprigs, a bowl or basket.
How to make it: Line a baking sheet with foil and bake the cones at a low heat for about 30 minutes until they open and dry. Cool, then arrange them with the evergreen.
Park a Wooden Sled by the Door
An old wooden sled is one of the easiest country decorations. Lean it against the porch wall, tie a bundle of cedar and a red bow to the front, and you are done. Flea markets and farm sales often have them. If you have snow, set it out in the yard for a picture perfect scene. Here are more vintage sled ideas.
You will need: A wooden sled, a bundle of cedar or pine, wired red ribbon, zip ties or twine.
How to make it: Clean the sled and lean it securely on the porch. Tie the greenery to the top with twine. Make a big bow and fasten it over the greens.
Set a Reba McEntire Christmas Supper Table
After the tree hunt, everyone comes home cold and hungry, so finish your Reba McEntire Christmas with a simple family supper. Lay a long runner of cedar branches down the table, add plaid napkins and plain white plates, and set small jars of cedar and berries between them. A basket of warm biscuits says welcome home. Keep it simple so the focus stays on family. Add little Christmas table favors so every guest goes home with something.
You will need: Cedar branches, plaid cloth napkins, white plates, small mason jars, red berries, a bread basket.
How to make it: Lay the cedar down the center of the table, overlapping the branches. Fold the napkins on each plate. Fill the jars with cedar and berries and space them along the runner.
