Step into the heart of the countryside this festive season as we explore our favourite down-home holiday ideas.
We're here to inspire you with a host of timeless holiday decorating ideas and activities that will infuse your home with the warmth and spirit of a classic country Christmas. From homespun wreaths to heart-warming DIY crafts, we've gathered a delightful array of suggestions to help you create an inviting and snug holiday atmosphere.
So, grab a cup of cocoa, pull up a chair by the fire and put on your holiday playlist: it’s time to create your country-style Christmas home with our easy to follow 10 step guide…And if you're after a festive table, check out our guide to the best Christmas tablecloths.
Over 18 best country Christmas décor ideas
1. Gather the troops and go foraging
Embrace the rustic charm of the countryside by gathering natural materials like evergreen foliage, wood and pine cones to make wreaths, garlands and table centerpieces.
For a stylish farmhouse feel, try using mason jars filled with holly and berries as candle holders or vases.
2. Tree time
Whether you get your tree on the 1st December or are a treecrastinator, preferring to wait until Christmas Eve, it’s worth considering a real tree if you’re after that wonderful pine scent – Norway Spruce tops the polls when it comes to strongest fragrance.
Why not create lasting family memories by going to your local tree farm to choose-and-cut the perfect specimen, or try the eco-friendly option of renting a live Christmas tree?
- Visit the Real Christmas Tree Board in the US, or Forestry England in the UK, to find where to buy trees near you.
- Alternatively, buy real trees online from Walmart in the US and Christmas Trees Direct, in the UK
3. Dress to impress
- Buy now from Wayfair ($50)
- Buy now from Wayfair (£43.99)
Once your tree is in-situ, complete the set-up with a wicker or rattan tree skirt.
It’ll work wonders when it comes to disguising unsightly tree-stands, not to mention enhancing the overall country Christmas feel.
4. All the trimmings
Now the tree's up it's time to decorate. Making your own decs means you can theme the tree to suit your chosen theme. Here at CF HQ, we love wildlife animals or nature-inspired flora and fauna. Feel the same way? If so, grab some clay and follow our step-by-step guide to making bird themed tree decorations.
Alternatively , try making a rustic bauble with our easy to follow guide.
If you don’t have time for crafting, we love this mushroom-inspired collection from Anthropology.
Find inspiration from other nature-themed decorations from Etsy, Amazon and Wayfair. (Perhaps just $$ links here)
If sustainability is at the top of your list, check out our guide to the best eco-friendly Christmas decorations, or use dried oranges to make a pretty festive garland.
5: Fireplace focus
Deck the mantle with lush garlands woven from fragrant pine branches, vibrant holly, and clusters of crimson berries, evoking the essence of a country Christmas.
Too busy to craft? Don’t despair, we’ve found a selection of gorgeous garlands:
- Buy in the US on Amazon, Wayfair and Walmart; and in the UK from Not On The High Street, Amazon and Lights4Fun.
…And don't forget to hang stockings with care, in anticipation of Santa's arrival. For an extra touch of authenticity, arrange a woven basket of firewood nearby, ready to fuel the crackling fire that will envelop your space in a cozy, warm embrace.
- Buy stockings in the US from Wayfair and Amazon; and in the UK from Marks & Spencer and Not On The High Street.
6: Keep it simple
Natural fabrics like burlap, jute and hessian are quintessential elements of country décor thanks to their down-to-earth feel. Use ribbons and bows to embellish homemade garlands and wreaths (see our first suggestion, Go Foraging), and if you can find it, use lengths of vintage burlap to make elegant table runners and matching napkins.
Alternatively, if you’re pressed for time, check out our round up of the best table cloths.
7: Glowing elegance
The holiday season is the perfect time to embrace the enchantment of candlelight. Opt for pillar candles nestled in hurricane vases to create a cozy and elegant display, or choose traditional candle holders to infuse your home with a timeless festive charm.
Check out our guide to make a jam jar candle.
- Alternatively, buy pillar candles in US from Amazon and in UK from Amazon, as well as hurricane vases in US from Amazon and in UK from Amazon.
8: Window wonderland
Nothing makes your home look cosier from the outside than twinkling lights in the windows. This sweet robin makes a great addition to any Christmas décor scheme, lighting up your windowsill whilst celebrating the natural world.
The decoration has a warm-toned bronze finish and arrives covered in 20 warm white LEDs. You’ll need three AAA batteries to get it started, and then it’ll automatically turn on and off every day, thanks to its in-built timer.
- Buy now from National Trust (£15.00)
We’ve found other lovely lighting ideas for your window...
- Buy now in the US from Wayfair, Amazon and Etsy, and in UK from Lights4Fun and Etsy.
9: Porch perfect
Illuminate the entrance to your home with string lights, and don’t forget to decorate your yard or garden with rustic lanterns and wreaths. We also think no outside space is complete without one or two woodland animals lit up with twinkling lights… well, we would wouldn't we!
We’ve all seen those glorious lit animal sculptures carefully positioned in people’s front gardens. If you’ve always dreamt of investing in your own, this could be the year to give your home some serious kerb appeal.
In this set, you’ll get a large stag and a smaller doe, lit with a total of 460 warm white LEDs. The stag stands at an impressive 125cm tall, so it’ll certainly make an impact on any front lawn or driveway. And you can add in the baby fawn (sold separately) to expand the family!
Either turn the lights on yourself or use the timer to illuminate the deer for six hours every evening.
The plug comes with metal securing pegs and an 8m clear cable, so it should be easy to create a festive scene without any ugly wires on display.
- Buy now in the US from Amazon ($159.99)
Looking for other cute creatures to brighten your garden this winter? Check out this lovely rattan hare from Cox & Cox (£75.00)
10: Spice up your life
Add festive flair to hot beverages like coffee and cocoa, with this simple, but delicious, homemade gingerbread syrup.
11: Ice magic
For a Scandi-feel, why not try making a tea-light holder out of ice and foraged greenery? A pretty addition to the festive table or your front porch.
12: Family fun
Board games and quizzes are the perfect way to keep the family entertained over the holidays but they can be expensive to buy. We’ve devised two cost-effective games to craft and personalize. And they’re sustainable too, using items you can forage from woodland walks and coastal trips.
- Tic-Tac-Toe: Follow our guide to make your own rustic set of this old-fashioned version of noughts and crosses.
- Pebble noughts and crosses: Quick and easy to craft, get the kids involved with making this popular game.
13: Homespun gifts
Making your own Christmas presents is a heartwarming tradition that embodies the spirit of the season.
Whether you're recycling household items or hunting for treasures in vintage shops, personalized creations like these teacup candles not only carry a touch of nostalgia but also radiate the thoughtfulness and love that make Christmas truly special.
14: Tabletop spectacular
Bring foliage and flowers indoors to craft a splendid Christmas table centerpiece, and you’re all set to share a festive feast with your loved ones, savoring both the beauty of the season and the company of your nearest and dearest.
15: Tasty treats
Discover how to create these delightful gingerbread robin cookies, an ideal Christmas gift or tree decoration, with the guidance of British chef and food writer Claire Thomson.
16: Spice up the holidays
Be ready to welcome friends and family whenever they visit over the holidays by assembling the key ingredients to make the perfect mulled wine every time. Adding spices to hot drinks – known as ‘mulling’ – has long been a part of the European Christmas, but now mulled wine and mulled cider are becoming increasingly popular in some US cities.
Wrapped in festive fabric a mulled spice bag also makes a thoughtful and inexpensive gift.
It's not just mulled wine that benefits; this little bag of spices enhances a range of delicious drinks that can be savored during the festive season, from spiced ciders to comforting teas.
17: Seasonal suds
Creating handmade soap is easier than you might think! With just a few basic ingredients and a touch of creativity, you can craft unique and beautiful soap gifts – and if you have time to supervise the kids, it’s a fun activity for them to try. Follow our step-by-step guide.
18: Candle creations
Easy to make, this elegant Scandi-style candle holder won’t break the bank and is a great centerpiece for the table or a festive addition on a windowsill. Follow our guide to make this Christmas birch advent candle holder.
FAQs
What is a Country Christmas decor?
Country Christmas decor draws from nature, which means anything goes when it comes to items you can forage, like pinecones, berries, twigs, lichen and greenery. Go for decorations and ornaments crafted from rustic materials such as wood, burlap, or weathered metal to capture that charming, natural aesthetic.
How can you decorate your home for a country-themed Christmas?
Create a cozy ambiance in your country home by incorporating rustic elements like greenery, pinecones, berries and aged wood. Embrace woodland motifs and plaid fabrics to capture the essence of a country Christmas.
We hope our ideas offer a warm and inviting way to embrace the festive spirit. So, this Christmas, why not bring the countryside to your home, celebrating the joy of togetherness, the beauty of nature, and the timeless traditions that make a cozy country Christmas truly special. From our homes to yours, we wish you a season filled with warmth and cherished moments.
For more gift ideas and inspiration, check out our round up of the best eco-friendly gifts, Christmas gifts for kids, 10 great gifts for bird lovers and best mushroom gifts.
