Winter Solstice Decor: 16 Cozy Nature Ideas That Bring Light to the Longest Night for Pennies
Winter solstice decor is the cozy trend that lets you decorate with sunshine, evergreen and simple things from the yard. Every December, around the 21st, we get the longest night of the year. After that, the days slowly grow longer again. The best part is the price. Winter solstice decor uses dried oranges, pine cones, birch sticks, straw, felt and paper, so most of these ideas cost pennies. Below are 16 nature projects for windows, tables, doors and walls. Not one of them needs a flame. They catch daylight instead, so your rooms feel bright from the first week of December until well after New Year..
Winter Solstice Decor Window That Glows All Day
Picture this window on a snowy morning. A row of dried orange slices glows like tiny suns, a golden twig wreath hangs in the middle, and fresh pine spills along the sill next to birch logs. A wooden bowl of clove oranges and pine cones sits right below. This is winter solstice decor at its most inviting, and it takes about an hour. It borrows the calm feel of Scandinavian Christmas style. Keep swiping, because each one is even simpler than it looks..
You will need: 1 orange garland (slide 3), 1 twig sun wreath (slide 2), a few evergreen cuttings, 3 or 4 birch logs, a wooden bowl, pine cones, 4 clove oranges (slide 9), clear removable hooks.
How to make it: 1. Clean the window so the light shines through. 2. Hang the wreath in the center with a clear removable hook. 3. Tape the garland across the top in a soft swag. 4. Lay pine and birch on the sill, then set the bowl of oranges and cones on the table below.
Winter Solstice Decor Golden Twig Sun Wreath
A sun wreath is the heart of winter solstice decor, and it starts with a bundle of free sticks. Snip thin twigs to the same length, then glue them around a small cardboard ring so they point out like rays. A coat of gold spray paint turns yard scraps into something that looks like it came from a boutique. If you love nature crafts like these, the woodland Christmas ideas on our site will feel right at home next to it.
You will need: 40 to 60 thin straight twigs (8 to 10 inches), a 4 inch cardboard ring, hot glue gun, gold spray paint, jute twine, newspaper.
How to make it: 1. Trim the twigs to one length and let them dry for a day. 2. Glue them around the ring, rays pointing out, in two layers. 3. Spray both sides gold outdoors on newspaper; an adult should handle the hot glue and spray. 4. Tie a twine loop at the top and hang.
Dried Orange and Paper Sun Window Garland
Dried orange slices turn into stained glass when the sun hits them. For a solstice twist, string them with little gold paper suns in between. Our full guide to making dried orange slices has oven times and tips for keeping the color bright. Hang this winter solstice decor garland in your sunniest window for the best glow.
You will need: 4 or 5 oranges, sharp knife, baking sheet, parchment paper, gold cardstock, 2 inch circle punch or scissors, large darning needle, natural twine.
How to make it: 1. Slice oranges 1/4 inch thick and pat them dry. 2. Bake at 200 degrees F for 3 to 4 hours, flipping each hour (adult help with the oven). 3. Cut gold circles and snip small points around the edge for rays. 4. Thread oranges and suns on twine and tape the ends inside the window frame.
Folded Paper Window Stars
Paper window stars come from old German and Scandinavian winter traditions, and kids love folding them. Thin kite paper or even tissue paper lets light pass through, so the folded layers show a pretty pattern once the star sits on glass. Make them in white, pale yellow and soft orange to echo the sun. For more ideas that make a room feel bright after the holidays, see these easy winter decorating ideas.
You will need: Translucent kite paper or tissue paper in white, yellow and orange, ruler, scissors, glue stick, clear tape.
How to make it: 1. Cut 8 rectangles, 2 by 3 inches each. 2. Fold each one into a long pointed kite shape. 3. Glue the points together in a circle so they overlap at the center. 4. Tape the star to the window with tiny pieces of clear tape on the back.
Sun and Moon Embroidery Hoop Art
Two simple hoops tell the full solstice story: the sun on one side and the moon on the other. Stitch a gold sun with long straight rays on cream linen, then a silver crescent and a few tiny stars on navy fabric. If you are new to needle and thread, these beginner Christmas embroidery projects walk you through the basics.
You will need: Two 6 inch wooden embroidery hoops, cream linen and navy cotton fabric, gold and silver embroidery floss, embroidery needle, pencil, small scissors, 2 evergreen sprigs.
How to make it: 1. Trace a circle and rays on the cream fabric and a crescent on the navy fabric. 2. Fix each fabric tight in its hoop. 3. Backstitch the outlines, then add straight stitch rays and stars. 4. Trim the extra fabric, glue it to the back of the hoop and tuck in the sprigs.
Winter Solstice Decor Salt Dough Suns and Stars
Salt dough is the cheapest craft in the kitchen. Flour, salt and water make a dough you can roll, cut and bake into ornaments that last for years. For winter solstice decor, use sun and star cutters, press little dot patterns with a toothpick, and brush gold paint on the edges. Want to add names or dates for family? These personalized ornament ideas show clever ways to do it.
You will need: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 3/4 cup water, rolling pin, sun and star cookie cutters, toothpick, drinking straw, baking sheet, gold acrylic paint, small brush, twine.
How to make it: 1. Mix flour, salt and water into a smooth dough. 2. Roll it 1/4 inch thick and cut shapes. 3. Press dot patterns and use the straw to poke a hanging opening near the top. 4. Bake at 250 degrees F for 2 hours with adult help, cool, paint the edges gold and add twine.
Woven Straw Stars on Evergreen Branches
Straw stars are a classic of Nordic winters, and they still look charming today. Fill a white pitcher with fresh evergreen branches and hang a few stars from the tips. The painter Carl Larsson filled his family home with this kind of handmade charm, and our Carl Larsson Christmas gallery is full of ideas in the same spirit.
You will need: Natural craft straw or wheat straws, a bowl of warm water, red or white cotton thread, scissors, evergreen branches, a white ceramic pitcher.
How to make it: 1. Soak the straws in warm water for 20 minutes. 2. Lay 4 straws in a plus and an x shape, crossing at the center. 3. Weave thread over and under each straw near the middle, then tie it tight. 4. Trim the ends into points and hang the stars on the branches once dry.
Moss and River Stone Table Runner
This runner brings the forest floor to your dinner table. Lay sheet moss down the center, then tuck in smooth gray stones, small pine cones and sprigs of cedar. It costs very little, it looks calm, and it lasts all season with a light misting. This is winter solstice decor that feels calm and grounded. Plain white plates make the green pop. For more ways to style a long surface, look at these sideboard decorating ideas that use the same layering trick.
You will need: 2 or 3 bags of preserved sheet moss, parchment paper, 10 to 15 smooth river stones, 8 small pine cones, a handful of cedar or pine sprigs, spray bottle.
How to make it: 1. Cut parchment as long as your table center and about 10 inches wide. 2. Lay the moss on top in overlapping pieces. 3. Nestle stones, cones and sprigs along the runner in loose groups. 4. Mist it lightly every few days to keep it fresh.
Winter Solstice Decor Clove Orange Pomanders
Pomanders are one of the oldest kinds of winter solstice decor, and they make every room smell warm. Press cloves into fresh oranges in spirals, stars or straight lines, then pile them in a wooden bowl with cinnamon sticks and bay leaves. If you love spicy scents, our simmer pot gift ideas use the same oranges and cloves in a jar.
You will need: 6 to 8 fresh oranges, 1 jar of cloves, toothpick, thin red ribbon, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, a round wooden bowl.
How to make it: 1. Draw a light pattern on each orange with a pen. 2. Poke starter openings along the lines with a toothpick. 3. Press a clove into each opening. 4. Tie ribbon around a few and pile everything in the bowl with cinnamon and bay leaves.
Winter Solstice Decor Mirror Sun Catcher
On the shortest days, every ray of sun counts. Hang a cluster of small round mirrors and silver stars in a sunny window, and they will throw dancing light spots across your walls. This is a lovely way to celebrate the return of the light, which is what the shortest day of the year is all about. If you like playing with mirrors, these thrifted mirror makeovers are full of fun ideas.
You will need: 8 to 10 small round craft mirrors (2 to 3 inches), 5 wooden stars, silver acrylic paint, brush, clear fishing line, strong craft glue, a curtain rod or tension rod.
How to make it: 1. Paint the stars silver on both sides and let them dry. 2. Glue a length of fishing line to the back of each mirror and star. 3. Tie them to the rod at different heights. 4. Turn the mirrors so they catch the sun and watch the light move across the room.
Wool Felt Evergreen Garland
A felt garland gives you the look of fresh pine without dropped needles. Cut little trees and pine branch shapes from wool felt in three or four greens, then sew or glue them onto a long cord. Add a few cream felt snowflakes, and your winter solstice decor gets a soft, cozy texture. For other ways to swag greenery around your home, see this Christmas garland arch that uses the same draping trick.
You will need: Wool blend felt sheets in 3 or 4 greens and cream, paper for templates, sharp scissors, needle and thread or fabric glue, 6 feet of cream cord.
How to make it: 1. Draw a tree and a branch shape on paper and cut them out. 2. Trace and cut about 30 shapes from the felt. 3. Stitch or glue each shape to the cord, spacing them 2 inches apart. 4. Add cream snowflakes between some of the trees and hang.
Hand Stamped Snowflake Napkins
Plain linen napkins turn into a handmade gift with one homemade stamp. Carve a simple snowflake into a soft rubber block, then press it in white or pale blue fabric paint. Finish each one with a ring from these easy DIY napkin rings.
You will need: 4 to 8 cream linen or cotton napkins, soft carving block, lino cutter (adult use), pencil, fabric paint in white and pale blue, foam brush, cardboard, iron.
How to make it: 1. Draw a snowflake on the block and carve away the background (adults only). 2. Lay cardboard under each napkin. 3. Brush paint on the stamp and press firmly. 4. Let it dry for a day, then iron on the back to set the paint.
Bird Seed Stars for the Garden
Solstice is a lovely time to think about the birds that stay all winter. Mix plain bird seed with a little gelatin, press it into star and heart cookie cutters, and let it set. Hang the shapes on an outdoor tree with jute twine and watch cardinals and chickadees visit. If you enjoy decorating with a storybook garden feel, our Beatrix Potter Christmas ideas pair perfectly with a backyard bird tree.
You will need: 3 cups plain wild bird seed, 1 packet unflavored gelatin, 1/2 cup warm water, 3 tablespoons flour, star and heart cookie cutters, drinking straw, jute twine, parchment.
How to make it: 1. Stir the gelatin into warm water, then add flour and seed. 2. Pack the mix firmly into cutters set on parchment. 3. Push a straw through the top of each one for a hanging opening. 4. Let them dry overnight, pop them out, add twine and hang outside.
Winter Solstice Decor Evergreen and Birch Door Bundle
A door bundle is easier than a wreath and looks just as welcoming. Gather a fistful of evergreen branches and a few slim birch sticks, tie them tight with thick jute, and tuck in a few dried orange slices. This winter solstice decor piece looks best on a dark painted door. Check our winter porch decorating ideas for planters and lanterns that match it.
You will need: 8 to 10 evergreen branches (18 inches), 3 slim birch sticks, floral wire, thick jute rope, 4 dried orange slices, hot glue gun, over the door hook.
How to make it: 1. Lay the longest branches down first, then shorter ones on top. 2. Add the birch sticks so they peek out. 3. Wire the stems tight, then wrap jute over the wire and tie a bow. 4. Glue the orange slices in place (adult help) and hang it stems up.
Beeswax Dipped Pine Cones
Dipping pine cones in melted beeswax gives the tips a soft golden frost that looks like morning light on snow. Melt the wax in a double boiler, dip just the bottom half of each cone and let it drip dry on parchment. Tie them with linen ribbon and hang them on a small potted tree. Martha style winter looks love this kind of quiet detail, and you can see more in our Martha Stewart inspired winter ideas.
You will need: 12 small pine cones, 1 pound beeswax pellets, an old pot and a heat safe bowl for a double boiler, tongs, parchment paper, linen ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Melt the wax slowly in the bowl over simmering water, with an adult at the stove. 2. Hold each cone by the top with tongs and dip it halfway. 3. Let the extra drip off and set it on parchment to harden. 4. Glue or tie a ribbon loop to the top of each cone.
Windowsill Nature Tray
End with the simplest idea of all. Fill a long wooden tray with moss, birch logs, small pine cones and a few dried orange slices, then add one golden sun disc as the star of the show. Set it on a snowy windowsill or a coffee table. If you like tray styling, this dough bowl Christmas decor gallery shows more ways to fill a rustic wooden vessel.
You will need: A long wooden tray, preserved moss, 3 or 4 short birch logs, 6 small pine cones, 5 dried orange slices, a 3 inch wood disc, gold paint.
How to make it: 1. Paint the wood disc gold and let it dry. 2. Line the tray with moss. 3. Lay the birch logs in a loose stack at one end. 4. Fill the gaps with cones and orange slices, then set the sun disc on top.
