A pine cone from an autumn walk, a walnut shell, or an empty jam jar. Right now, they might seem ordinary, but in a few weeks you can turn them into Christmas ornaments, a wreath for your door, or a glowing decoration for your windowsill. Just start saving the right things and give natural materials enough time to dry thoroughly.
You don’t have to rush with your Christmas decorations just yet. But you can start preparing your materials during autumn. While walking, tidying up the garden, or cracking nuts, you can gradually build up a stash from which you’ll later pick exactly what you need. Instead of buying more, you’ll use things you already have around you.
What to Gather and Save Now
1. Pine Cones of Various Sizes
Large pine cones can be the main feature of a wreath, smaller ones fill in gaps, and the tiniest are perfect for gift wrapping or hanging ornaments. It’s worth saving several sizes and shapes.
Choose firm, undamaged cones without mold. Gently shake out any dirt at home, inspect them, and lay them out in a single layer on paper or a tray. Let them dry well in a dry, ventilated place. Only store them once they’re completely dry.
How you’ll use them: wreaths, Christmas tree ornaments, small pine cone trees, or bowl decorations. For a wintry look, you can lightly brush the tips with white paint.
2. Dry Twigs and Uniquely Shaped Branches
Both small straight twigs and a single striking branch to hang in the window come in handy. Use dry brushwood or suitable branches from your garden. Clean them and let them dry before storing.
How you’ll use them: stars tied with string, simple trees, a hanging ornament display, or as a base for an advent calendar.
If you want to weave a wreath from flexible willow, shape the base while the material is still pliable. Then let the finished frame dry. With dry twigs, work with them as straight pieces rather than forcing them to bend.
3. Acorns and Their Caps
Both whole acorns and just the caps are great for small crafts. Save only nice pieces, clean them, and let them air dry. Check them regularly and discard any that are damaged or moldy.
How you’ll use them: filling gaps in wreaths, making little figures, or as gift toppers. You can glue a wooden bead or felt ball into a cap to create a simple hanging acorn.
4. Chestnuts for Autumn Crafts and Small Winter Decorations
Chestnuts are perfect for wreaths, bowls, and small natural arrangements. Pick firm, undamaged ones, clean them, and lay them out in a single layer in a dry, ventilated spot. Don’t store damp chestnuts in a bag or jar.
Keep in mind that as they dry, chestnuts may shrink, wrinkle, and lose their original shine. If you want to use them for decorations where you want them to look fresh, use them in autumn or for All Souls’ Day. For winter crafts, keep only well-dried, healthy pieces that look the way you like.
How you’ll use them: autumn and All Souls’ wreaths, natural tray decorations, small figures, or as an accent with pine cones and shells.
5. Walnuts and Nice Shells
When cracking walnuts, set aside a few undamaged shell halves. Remove any remnants of kernels and inner partitions. If you rinse the shells, let them dry completely before storing.
How you’ll use them: small tree ornaments, miniature houses, bowl decorations, or a tiny nativity scene. You can glue two halves back together and attach a string loop in between.
A few whole dry walnuts will also naturally complement pine cones and dried oranges on a Christmas tray.
6. Dried Flowers, Grasses, and Seed Pods from the Garden
Do you have hydrangeas, strawflowers, ornamental grasses, or nigella in your garden? You can prepare a few nice flowers or seed pods for later arrangements. Hydrangeas are also great for winter and Christmas decorations.
Tie suitable stems into small bundles and hang them in a dry, ventilated place out of direct sunlight. For many plants, expect about two to three weeks of drying, for others even longer. Discard any moldy parts.
How you’ll use them: natural wreaths, winter bouquets, or small decorations for a dresser. Store dried flowers separately so heavier pine cones and nuts don’t crush them.
7. Oranges for Dried Slices
You can prepare more material right in the kitchen. Slice oranges into even rounds and dry them at a low temperature, around 65°C. It will take several hours, so check them regularly; it depends on the thickness of the slices and your oven.
Let them cool before storing and make sure they’re thoroughly dry in the center. Don’t put damp or sticky slices into a closed container.
How you’ll use them: wreaths, garlands, tree ornaments, and gift wrapping. They look lovely with natural string, pine cones, and a bit of ribbon.
8. Empty Jars and Small Bottles
Jam, honey, or baby food jars don’t have to go straight into recycling. Pick undamaged ones, remove the labels, wash them, and let them dry. For a table decoration, you can set aside three jars of different heights.
How you’ll use them: vases for twigs, containers for small winter arrangements, or lanterns with LED candles. Just tie some string around the neck and add a tiny pine cone.
9. Ribbon Scraps, Strings, Cardboard, and Pretty Paper
It’s worth saving even short ribbon scraps, jute string, clean cardboard, or nice wrapping paper. Narrow fabric strips can be used as bows, and you can cut stars or name tags from cardboard.
How you’ll use them: loops for ornaments, decorating jars, advent calendars, and gift wrapping. Store ribbons and strings separately from natural materials to keep them clean.
How to Store Your Supplies So They Last Until Christmas
Don’t put damp materials straight into a bag or box. First, clean and dry them. Protect dried flowers and seed pods from being crushed, moisture, and direct sunlight during storage.
- Sort your finds. Store pine cones, shells, twigs, and delicate flowers separately.
- Give them time to dry. Spread damp pieces out so air can circulate around them.
- Choose a dry place. A cardboard box won’t help if it’s in a damp cellar.
- Cushion fragile parts with paper. Don’t put heavy materials on top of flowers and seed pods.
- Check your supplies occasionally. Discard anything moldy or with a musty smell.
Save Fresh Greenery for Later
You can prepare pine cones and shells ahead of time. But storing fresh green branches from autumn until Christmas doesn’t make sense. For fresh decorations, prepare them shortly before arranging; the RHS also recommends using suitable garden trimmings for Christmas decorations in December.
So for now, get your dry materials, containers, ribbons, and perhaps a wreath base ready. Add the greenery when you start crafting.
Gather Responsibly and Only as Much as You’ll Use
In the forest, you can gather berries and fallen brushwood for personal use. But you mustn’t damage the forest or ignore the owner’s instructions. Don’t break live branches or peel bark from trees. For flowers and garden trimmings, use your own garden or ask the owner for permission.
A small stash is often enough for a few homemade decorations. You don’t need to fill several bags in one walk.
First Simple Idea: Pine Cone Hanging Decoration
With a single dry branch, a few pine cones, and some string, you can make a window decoration. Hang the pine cones from the branch at different heights and add a few cardboard stars. Before Christmas, you can add dried oranges or red bows.
For light decorations among dry natural materials, use LED candles. If you use a real candle, place it on a stable, non-flammable base, keep it away from flammable decorations, and never leave it unattended.
All you need is one box with compartments that you gradually fill throughout autumn. When it’s time to start your Christmas crafting, you’ll have your own stash of materials and plenty of ideas for turning them into decorations.
