We tend to evolve into our Christmas or holiday traditions and themes. Many of us follow our mother or grandmother’s lead. I personally am a traditionalist, and I followed my own grandmother’s lead and then expanded on it. I grew up in the country in a rodeo family and have lived in the country or at least rural towns for much of my adult life. So it is natural that I would be drawn to a country Christmas, not excluding a bit of western flair which I will cover in a separate piece on western Christmas decorating. A country Christmas need not be expensive, it can be done for little.
Here are six tips to help you create a magical country Christmas.
Natural Decorations
Pine cones are such a beautiful, easy and natural item to use for decorating and there are endless ways to decorate with them. Put small ones in potpourri.
Making a garland of pine cones is easy and so much more natural and attractive than the plastic tinsel from the store. Take some floral wire the length that you want your garland to be. Wrap the wire around each cone’s center to hold it on, then move to the next cone, and so on, until you reach the desired length.
Add a few pine cones to your Christmas tree to give it a more natural look, especially if it is an artificial tree.
Vintage Toys
Vintage toys can add a feel for the country and days gone by. Old Teddy bears, wagons, dolls, train sets, skates, all vintage, look amazing beneath the tree. As a bonus, they help to fill space if you are going minimal on gifts or until you have your gifts wrapped and under the tree. Pull out a few of your childhood toys, or ask your mother or grandmother; they are likely to have a few vintage items. If not, hit the thrift stores.
The Tree
Keep the tree green for a country Christmas. Real is great, but to save on trees and allergies, today’s artificial trees can be found with a real natural and country look, especially the newer skinny ones with the brown wooded trunks instead of a metal pole.
Ornaments
The fist year I was married, we were living in a tiny town in Oregon and all of my Christmas decorations were in storage a thousand miles away so we handmade all of our decorations from nature’s bounty. We also made ornaments carved of wood, yarn, and other natural materials.
Buttons provide country charm, especially vintage buttons. Ornaments are easy to make from buttons and will make a keepsake ornament for years to come. Cut your piece from cardboard or plastic. Glue on buttons with a glue gun. Easy, easy and the kids will enjoy making them too.
Other Decorations
A country Christmas is not trying to out-do the neighbors’ lawn and any lawn decorations should be more rustic and natural. Wreaths are an option that offer a wide variety of country looks from the traditional pine to burlap to dried herbs and citrus and if you are creative can be made for a few dollars at home. I make dried orange and basil or eucalyptus, and also dried apple wreaths. A simple trip to the produce department and the herb isle and a coat-hanger straightened and then re-bent into a circle and wound with a pair of pliers when all the elements are added will make beautiful holiday wreaths that smell good too.
Wrappings
Wrapping paper is another easy way to add a country look and feel to your holiday. Paper grocery bags, country prints on traditional rolls, shipping paper in brown or white, or even material, may then be decorated with natural items like small pine cones, dried leaves, raffeta bows, tiny vintage toys, dried herbs or oranges and cinnamon sticks, candy canes or any number of things. Be creative. No bows? Twine adds a real home-spun look to packages.
Whatever you do, a country Christmas is about simplicity, natural wooded decor, and down-home goodness that exudes a special warmth that will create cherished memories for generations to come.
Tags: decorating, country, Christmas, holidays
