The enchanting spirit of Christmas is undoubtedly the most wonderful time of the year, transforming our homes into havens of warmth and joy. There’s a distinct magic in seeing the Christmas tree adorned with twinkling lights and cherished ornaments, casting a soft glow that invites cozy family evenings filled with holiday movies and laughter. This year, my goal was to infuse our living space with a deeply personal touch, extending a beloved rustic aesthetic from our everyday decor right into the heart of our Christmas celebrations. I’m thrilled to share the journey of decorating our Christmas tree, a process that’s not only super easy but also incredibly versatile, allowing for subtle color shifts each year to keep the look fresh and exciting.
My passion for rustic decor stems from its inherent ability to create an inviting, homey atmosphere, blending natural elements with a sense of timeless simplicity. This style perfectly complements the festive season, bringing an authentic warmth that feels both traditional and uniquely personal. From textured garlands to earthy ornaments, every detail contributes to a cohesive and heartfelt holiday display that truly speaks to the essence of home.
Our beautiful centerpiece stands proudly, a magnificent 9-foot slim, pre-lit tree discovered at JC Penny last year. The choice of a slim tree was quite deliberate; it not only fits perfectly into our living area without overwhelming the space but also presents a more manageable and budget-friendly canvas for decoration. Its slender profile allows each ornament to truly shine, preventing a cluttered look. To amplify its radiance, I incorporated a few extra strands of large globe lights, sourced from Target. These larger bulbs add a mesmerizing depth and a touch of enchanting sparkle, creating a magical variation in light sizes that truly elevates the tree’s overall glow and ambiance. The combination of pre-lit convenience and additional string lights ensures a brilliant display that lights up the entire room, making every evening feel like a special occasion.
The transformation of our living room for the holidays is a project I thoroughly enjoy each year. Nestled behind our beautifully adorned tree are our DIY floating shelves, a project I completed some time ago. These shelves provide the perfect backdrop, holding additional rustic-themed decor that complements the tree’s aesthetic. If you’re inspired to create your own, you can find the detailed plans for these versatile DIY floating shelves HERE! They offer a fantastic way to add personalized storage and display space to any room, seamlessly blending with various decor styles, especially our beloved rustic theme. The harmonious blend of DIY elements and carefully selected holiday pieces truly makes our home feel complete for the festive season.
Beyond our personal decorating endeavors, Whitney and I recently had the wonderful opportunity to spend a day at one of our favorite stores, AtHome, where we shared our best Christmas decorating tips and tricks during live TV and radio interviews. These broadcasts reached audiences across the country, and for those who might have missed our segments in their local areas, fear not! This comprehensive post is designed to cover the majority of the advice and inspiration we shared, ensuring everyone has access to our favorite rustic Christmas decorating strategies. We delved into everything from selecting the right foundational pieces to adding those charming finishing touches that make a house feel like a festive home.
Embracing the Rustic Charm: Decorating My Christmas Tree
Creating a rustic Christmas tree isn’t just about throwing a few woodsy ornaments on branches; it’s about crafting an aesthetic that evokes comfort, nature, and timeless holiday spirit. The rustic style is celebrated for its natural textures, warm tones, and an overall cozy, unpretentious feel. It’s a perfect match for Christmas, inviting a sense of tradition and homespun beauty. Our approach emphasizes layering different elements to build depth and visual interest, making the tree a true focal point of our holiday decor. The beauty of this style lies in its simplicity and the ability to easily incorporate elements found in nature, along with affordable, charming pieces from various retailers.
Step-by-Step Tree Decorating: Crafting a Rustic Masterpiece
The process of decorating a Christmas tree, especially one with a distinct theme like rustic, benefits immensely from a systematic approach. It ensures a balanced, aesthetically pleasing result where every element contributes to the overall vision. We start with the foundational layers, building up to the smaller, more intricate details, culminating in a tree that looks professionally styled yet retains a cozy, homemade feel.
Layering Garlands for Depth and Texture
To begin the transformation, I always start with the garlands, as they provide a crucial foundational layer of texture and visual flow. For our rustic theme, I utilized four generous strands of natural pinecone garland, which I originally found at Michael’s back in 2013. I meticulously weave these garlands from the very top of the tree, working my way downwards in a spiraling motion. This ensures an even distribution and helps fill in any sparse areas of the tree. Following the pinecone garland, I introduce a substantial roll of burlap garland, a fantastic find from AtHome. I repeat the same weaving pattern, carefully alternating it between the wraps of the pinecone garland. This layering technique is essential for achieving the desired rustic depth and richness. The burlap, with its coarse, natural texture, beautifully complements the organic appeal of the pinecones, creating a harmonious and visually interesting base that enhances the warmth and coziness of the tree even before the ornaments are added.
Strategic Ornament Placement: Starting Big
My strategy for ornament placement begins with the largest pieces first. This method simplifies the spacing process, allowing me to evenly distribute these impactful ornaments throughout the tree, creating a balanced and appealing look from the outset. One standout example is this charming, large galvanized heart ornament, which I discovered at Target. Its metallic finish, while still rustic, adds a subtle touch of industrial farmhouse chic to the natural elements, providing a lovely contrast without straying from the overall theme. Placing these larger ornaments first ensures they don’t get lost among smaller decorations and helps define the key visual anchors of the tree.
Incorporating Natural Elements and Diverse Textures
To truly enhance the rustic ambiance, I prioritize ornaments that boast natural textures and materials. This includes a delightful array of burlap, jute, and wooden pieces, each contributing to the earthy, organic feel. These selections are key to achieving the desired warmth and authenticity of a farmhouse-inspired Christmas tree.
These adorable acorn ornaments, also found at AtHome, are perfect for reinforcing the natural, woodsy theme. Their realistic texture and earthy tones blend seamlessly with the pinecone garland and burlap accents, adding a playful yet sophisticated touch of nature to the branches. They bring a subtle charm that ties into the outdoor-inspired elements of our rustic decor.
Another excellent example of a large, impactful ornament is this beautiful “Peace” design, another AtHome find. Not only is it incredibly inexpensive, making it a fantastic “bang for your buck,” but its substantial size also helps fill space on the tree, contributing significantly to the overall visual density. Its simple, heartfelt message beautifully complements the cozy and reflective spirit of the season, making it a meaningful addition to our rustic display.
For a personalized and budget-friendly touch, these charming chalkboard label ornaments were a delightful discovery in the dollar section at Target. Priced at approximately $3 for a pack of five, they came conveniently pre-equipped with burlap hangers, perfectly aligning with our rustic theme. These ornaments offer a wonderful opportunity to write custom messages, names, or festive words, adding a unique and interactive element to the tree. They are not only aesthetically pleasing but also invite a personal touch, making each one a miniature canvas for holiday cheer.
While the core of our tree is rustic, I love to introduce a subtle touch of elegance by mixing in different materials. This large mercury glass ornament, a beautiful find from HomeGoods, offers a gorgeous shimmer that catches the lights beautifully. Its antique appearance fits well within the rustic aesthetic, providing a lovely contrast to the more organic textures. Given its delicate nature, I strategically place only a few of these, positioning them higher on the tree to minimize the risk of accidental breakage, ensuring they can be admired safely year after year.
This exquisite jute twine ornament, adorned with a delicate fabric snowflake, is another gem discovered at HomeGoods. Its intricate texture and natural materials perfectly embody the rustic spirit, adding an incredible depth and tactile appeal to the tree. The combination of the robust jute and the soft fabric snowflake creates a compelling visual and textural contrast, enhancing the overall organic feel of our Christmas decor. It’s these thoughtful details that truly bring the rustic theme to life.
No rustic Christmas tree would be complete without the charming sound and sight of jingle bells. These magnificent giant jingle bells, which I happily stumbled upon at HomeGoods, are more than just ornaments; they are a delightful auditory and visual treat. Their substantial size and metallic sheen add a classic, festive touch, evoking nostalgic memories of Christmases past. Hung strategically, they catch the light and add a playful, celebratory element to our rustic display.
Continuing with the textural richness, I incorporated several of these charming burlap snowflakes, another excellent find from AtHome. Their intricate cutouts and natural fabric contribute significantly to the rustic theme, mimicking the delicate beauty of winter snow while maintaining an earthy aesthetic. These ornaments provide consistency in texture throughout the tree, reinforcing the cohesive design. They are subtle yet impactful, adding layers of interest.
To further enhance the fullness and rustic appeal, I added another large burlap ball ornament, sourced from AtHome. The generous size of these burlap balls is invaluable for filling out the tree, especially on a 9-foot slim model, ensuring a lush, well-decorated appearance. Their textured surface and warm, natural tone tie in perfectly with the overall theme, providing visual weight and continuity. They are a simple yet effective way to achieve a rich, layered look without overspending.
One of my favorite budget-friendly secrets for decorating a rustic tree is the use of garland balls. These unassuming ornaments are incredibly versatile, offering an authentic rustic feel without a hefty price tag. They are excellent for creating a big visual impact, effectively filling gaps and adding substantial texture. Their simple, organic appearance perfectly complements the natural elements of our decor, making them an indispensable component in achieving that desired cozy, farmhouse Christmas look.
How adorable is this tiny wooden snowflake ornament? I found these charming pieces in the dollar section at Target, typically available in packs of six for around $3. These small but mighty ornaments add a delicate, wintry touch while maintaining the rustic aesthetic through their natural wood material. Their intricate designs stand out against the deeper greens of the tree, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to add intricate and delightful details to your holiday decor. They are perfect for tucking into branches, adding tiny pops of natural elegance.
Hands down, my absolute favorite ornament this season is this stunning galvanized pinecone. Discovered at HomeGoods, its unique blend of industrial galvanized metal and natural pinecone shape perfectly encapsulates the rustic farmhouse style I adore. It offers a wonderful textural contrast and a sophisticated metallic shimmer that elevates the entire tree. This ornament truly stands out, embodying the charm and character that defines our holiday decor, and it’s a piece I cherish for its distinctive beauty.
Adding a Touch of Brightness: White Accents
While our rustic tree leans into natural tones, I always like to introduce subtle touches of white to add brightness and a hint of a winter wonderland feel. These distressed white glass ornaments, which I found at AtHome, are ideal for this purpose. They come in approximately six different shapes and sizes, allowing for varied visual interest while maintaining a cohesive color palette. The distressed finish prevents them from looking too formal, ensuring they blend seamlessly with the rustic elements. They provide a lovely visual break, making the tree feel fresh and enchanting, much like a dusting of snow on a winter’s day.
These charming fabric stars, discovered at HomeGoods, further contribute to the soft, textural elements of our rustic tree. Their delicate construction and understated appeal add a homemade touch, evoking a sense of nostalgic simplicity. They are lightweight and easy to place, bringing a gentle warmth and a subtle celestial touch that complements the natural, earthy tones beautifully. These fabric stars are a testament to how simple materials can create significant charm and character in holiday decor.
The Final Flourishes: Snowflake Garland and Burlap Banner
Once all the ornaments are meticulously hung and perfectly placed, the next step is to add another layer of enchantment with this delicate snowflake garland, a wonderful find from HomeGoods. Its pristine white color and intricate snowflake designs bring a fresh, ethereal quality to the tree, contrasting beautifully with the earthy tones of the burlap and pinecones. This garland helps to tie all the elements together, providing a final touch of winter charm and softness that enhances the magical glow of the lights. It’s the perfect subtle accent to complete the layered look of our rustic Christmas tree.
Adding a truly personal and festive touch, I crafted a “Merry” banner from burlap letters, an incredibly simple and inexpensive project. The individual burlap letters, featuring adhesive backs, were found in the dollar section of Target. The ease of “peel and stick” made this a joy to create, and my 5-year-old daughter absolutely loved helping me string it across the tree. This DIY banner is not only charming and perfectly aligned with our rustic theme but also represents a cherished family memory in the making. It’s a testament to how simple, affordable crafts can add significant character and warmth to your holiday decorations, making the tree uniquely yours.
The simplicity of the adhesive letters made this banner project a breeze, allowing even my young daughter to actively participate in the decorating process. Her excitement and pride in helping to spell out “Merry” added an extra layer of joy and meaning to our tree this year. It’s a wonderful way to involve children in creating lasting holiday memories and personalizing your decor with their unique touch. This small detail truly embodies the spirit of family and togetherness that Christmas is all about.
Crowning Your Creation: The Tree Topper
To elegantly crown our rustic masterpiece, I crafted a beautiful burlap bow using the same roll of burlap garland from AtHome that was used on the tree. Making your own bow allows for perfect customization in size and fluffiness, ensuring it perfectly complements the scale of your tree. You can find a detailed tutorial on how to create your own stunning tree topper HERE. To add a final touch of natural charm, I gently tucked a few natural tree branches into the very top of the tree, around the bow. This simple addition brings an organic, freshly-cut feel, completing the rustic aesthetic with an authentic touch from nature. And with that, the tree is officially DONE, a truly magnificent and heartwarming centerpiece for the holidays!
The finishing touch at the base of our tree is a stylish metal tree collar, which we found at Crate and Barrel. This collar offers a clean, sophisticated alternative to traditional tree skirts, providing a touch of industrial farmhouse appeal that perfectly matches our rustic theme. It neatly conceals the tree stand and adds a polished, complete look to the bottom of the tree. For those seeking a similar look, I’ve heard that Michael’s often carries comparable options, making this stylish detail accessible to more decorators. This small addition makes a significant difference in framing the entire tree display, ensuring a cohesive and thoughtfully curated aesthetic from top to bottom.
Extending the Rustic Charm: Holiday Decor Throughout the Home
The spirit of Christmas isn’t confined to just the tree; it truly comes alive when woven into every corner of the home. Extending the rustic charm beyond the living room tree creates a cohesive and immersive holiday experience that envelops family and guests in warmth and festive cheer. Here are a few more ways I’ve infused our home with rustic Christmas magic, combining DIY projects with thoughtfully selected store-bought accents to create a harmonious holiday sanctuary.
Mantel Magic: DIY Stocking Hangers and Fireplace Decor
Our fireplace mantel, a beloved DIY project itself, becomes a central stage for holiday cheer. Each year, I proudly display our DIY Photo Stocking Hangers, which add a deeply personal and sentimental touch to our Christmas decor. These hangers allow us to showcase cherished family photos, making them more than just functional items but also beautiful, personalized keepsakes. While our stockings from Crate and Barrel have unfortunately been discontinued, Hobby Lobby offers some lovely similar options that would fit perfectly with a rustic or traditional theme. If you’re eager to add this personal touch to your home, you can find the tutorial for the DIY Photo Stocking Hangers HERE. And for those inspired to build their own stunning fireplace feature, the tutorial for our DIY Mantel is available HERE. This combination of handcrafted elements makes our mantel truly unique and a heartwarming focal point for the festive season.
Festive Displays: Buffet and Console Table Accents
Our DIY buffet table also transforms into a delightful holiday display. I love filling my three-tiered serving tower with an assortment of beautiful ornaments, creating a charming and accessible display that adds festive sparkle. Alongside this, our DIY Ornament Frames take center stage on the buffet. These frames, which beautifully highlight individual ornaments, are a fantastic way to showcase special pieces and add a handmade, artistic touch to your holiday vignettes. You can find the detailed tutorial for these clever DIY Ornament Frames HERE. And for those interested in building a substantial piece of furniture that serves both functionally and decoratively, the free plans for our stunning DIY buffet are available HERE. These elements together create a dynamic and inviting display that truly captures the essence of rustic Christmas elegance.
A small but impactful touch that I absolutely adore is this elegant “Merry Christmas” garland, a delightful find from Target. I have it draped charmingly across our console table, adding a festive greeting to the entryway or living space. Its classic design and understated beauty fit perfectly with our rustic theme, offering a simple yet heartfelt message of holiday cheer. For those inspired by our console table and looking to add a similar functional and stylish piece to their home, the plans for our DIY Console Table can be found HERE! These small accents, thoughtfully placed, contribute significantly to the overall festive atmosphere, ensuring that every glance around the room brings joy.
Well, that concludes our tour of how I’ve decked our halls this year! It’s all about creating a look that is simple, rustic, and deeply personal, infusing every corner of our home with warmth and holiday spirit. I hope these ideas inspire you to embrace your own unique style and create a Christmas wonderland that brings you and your loved ones immense joy.
Merry Christmas!
~Ashley