Over the years, Remodelista editors and writers have come up with low- (or zero-) cost tricks to spruce up the house for the holidays, all with materials from around the house, plus bits and bobs found in the backyard, garden, or on a winter walk. Importantly, the ideas are natural, low-impact (often making use of scraps or fallen sprigs), and don’t involve buying more stuff to box away in the basement most of the year—and they’re evergreen enough to keep up all winter long.
Here, we round up our favorites from the archives (and from Gardenista), plus a few new ones:
1. Frond as Place Setting
![over on gardenista, clare makes the case that a single leaf or stem makes a sim 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/6b-sarah-1466x1466-2-733x733.jpeg)
2. Pine Cone Garland
![fallen pine cones as minimalist garland. photograph and diy via bob vila, as se 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/pine-cone-garland-remodelista-733x486.jpg)
3. Orange-Peel Ornaments
![an idea spotted via this healthy table: instead of discarding orange rinds, pun 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/orange-peel-ornaments-this-healthy-table-733x1104.jpg)
4. Blinged-Out Foraged Finds
![justine found that fallen leaves, seed pods, nuts, and pinecones, touched up wi 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/fields/DIY gilded ornaments from nature, golden walnuts.jpg)
5. Single-Branch Wreath
![a single foraged bough of berries, formed into a circle and secured with wire, 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/700-img-3274.jpg)
6. Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With Sprigs
![this idea comes from julie\2\17;s the monochrome holiday: 8 high/low des 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/tricia-foley-black-white-christmas-1-733x489.jpg)
![more evidence. photographs via sunday suppers from 7 quick fixes: holiday 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/01-2012/640_holiday-14.jpg)
7. Botanical Bottle Candleholder
![i love this idea from ikea germany: bottle as elegant candleholder. shown is th 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ikea-korken-bottle-idea.jpg)
8. Berry-Bunch Tree Topper
![berries as tree topper, as seen in diy: a woodland holiday party (indoors). pho 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/fields/woodland holiday party Michelle's house beautyberries l Gardenista_1.jpg)
9. Vibrant Hanging Persimmons
![another persimmon idea, this one from marie, over on gardenista: dried persimmo 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hoshigaki-fuyu-screws-marie-viljoen-733x1084.jpg)
10. Ethereal Ice Herbariums
![and from gardenista contributor kendra: berries and botanicals encased in ice m 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ueno-farm-frozen-herbarium-diy-9-733x550.jpg)
11. The Easiest Branch Arrangements
![when in doubt, a simple branch in a vase will do. according to justine, a sprig 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img/sub/uimg/12-2012/700_img-2757.jpg)
![no need for a garland: per alexa, a bundle of slightly wonky branches make for 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/fields/Home-For-the-Holidays-Instant-Table-Remodelista-005-733x489.jpg)
![and a few branches of whatever\2\17;s in season, set in a vase, make a d 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Parkside-Holiday-Table-persimmon-733x488.jpg)
For more winter decor, see:
- Christmas in Burgundy: At Home with the Expat Family Behind the Cook’s Atelier
- The Monochrome Holiday: 8 High/Low Design Tips from Tricia Foley
- 10 Favorites: No-Cost Holiday Decor Ideas
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