Christmas tree clippings and stems, whether fresh or faux, are some of the most versatile and budget-friendly materials I’ve found to decorate for the holidays. While we’ve never had a real tree, fresh clippings and stems are easy to find at tree farms, grocery stores, garden centers, or local landscapers, and I always keep plenty of faux varieties on hand too. Over time, I’ve found lots of small ways to use them around the home, so this week I thought I’d share 13 creative ways to decorate with Christmas tree clippings and stems. From small accents and tabletop moments to room styling, wreath projects, and larger seasonal statements, there’s bound to be something in this list to spark your ‘I can make that!’ moment.
13 BEAUTIFUL WAYS TO DECORATE WITH CHRISTMAS TREE CLIPPINGS & STEMS
1. Dress Up a Floor Lamp
Instead of the usual mantel or tabletop, consider giving your floor lamp a festive makeover – it’s an easy way to add holiday cheer in an unexpected corner. Use craft wire to bind your stems or clippings together and attach to your floor lamp using twine, as I did below. This tiny, charming detail adds warmth without taking up any space.
2. Create a Festive Bowl Centerpiece
Fill a bowl with Christmas tree clippings and layer in pinecones, ornaments, dried orange slices, or whatever festive elements you love.
I’ve been doing this for years here on this side table and like to change things up each year. But it also makes the perfect centerpiece for a dining table, console, or kitchen island.
3. Add Greenery to Picture Frames or Wall Art
Tuck fresh or faux clippings along the top of a piece of art or some picture frames. This little detail softens your walls and adds festive texture without overwhelming your decor. Here are some examples from our home in seasons, past and present:
4. Style a Book Stack Vignette
Place clippings on top of a book stack on a coffee table or shelf. Add a decorative accent like these oversized bells or something similar in size like candles or pinecones for a simple but elevated holiday vignette.
5. Add Clippings to Holiday Favour Bags
Slip a few clippings into small muslin bags filled with chocolates or tiny gifts. Use them as place settings, ornaments, stocking stuffers, or sweet take-home treats.
Or, have guests pluck theirs directly off the tree as I did below:
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To make your own, check out this super easy tutorial: Christmas Favour Bag DIY Ornaments
6. Create a Simple Fresh Winter Wreath
Use your clippings to craft a natural winter wreath. This is one of my all-time favourite things to do with tree clippings. Personalize your own evergreen wreaths by adding pinecones, berries, or ribbon if you like, but a green-forward look can be just as beautiful.
Below are a few easy STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIALS showing you exactly how to make a simple, fresh evergreen wreath:
- How To Make An Evergreen Wreath (using freshly-cut tree clippings) – Video Tutorial (above image). ***You can find the wreath instructions at the 1 minute, 11 second mark.
- How to Make a Boxwood Wreath
- How to Make a Fresh Evergreen Wreath (using store-bought supplies) – Video Tutorial (below)
7. Accent Your Chandelier With Relaxed Winter Greenery
Gently tuck clippings around a chandelier for a soft, organic touch. If you like the styling loose and natural – as I do – just ensure the pieces are secure. You can clip them on or simply make sure the ends are snugly placed along the interior to prevent them from falling out.
8. Style Your Media Cabinet With Natural Layers
Run extra clippings along the top of your media cabinet. Add pinecones or dried oranges for cozy, rustic texture, or berries, ornaments and other festive elements for a touch of sparkle. It’s an easy way to bring holiday warmth to your living room without adding clutter.
9. Design an Outdoor Rustic Vignette
If you love a rustic look outside, create a small grouping using clippings, sap buckets, firewood, a lantern, or a small faux tree. It’s perfect for porches or tight spaces – like ours – where full planters don’t always fit or work.
10. Make a Crescent Evergreen Wreath
This modern wreath design uses greenery on just part of the hoop, making it elegant, minimal, and customizable. Combine a few types of greenery or add dried elements from your yard, as I did below. A thick, prominent bow finishes the look beautifully.
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To make your own, check out How to Make a Crescent Evergreen Wreath (Step-by-Step Tutorial with Video Recap).
11. Craft Ring Wreaths for Minimal Holiday Decor
These slender ring wreaths come together in minutes. Simply attach faux (or fresh) clippings and tie a ribbon – that’s it!
Hang one on a door or wall, or display several together for a minimal and festive statement.
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Here’s how to make your own: Oh-So-Pretty DIY Ring Wreaths.
12. Create a Simple Mixed Greenery Swag
This one uses a mix of shorter clippings and longer stems for shape. Blend fresh and faux pieces, then add faux berries for colour. Finish with a ribbon and hang on a door, mirror, cabinet, or wall hook.
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Here’s how to get the look: Simple, Elegant Holiday Swag DIY
13. Frame a Doorway With a Threshold ‘Garland’
One year, I decided to use leftover clippings and short stems to create a garland across the top framing our pocket doors in our foyer. To get the same look, just layer pieces onto small nails until the greenery looks full and seamless. Add more nails as needed. Then finish off with a ribbon at the corners for a classic, timeless entryway moment.
If you prefer a FULLER LOOK, just follow the same steps with more nails and more clippings. One year, I decided to mix a faux garland (the darker green, below) with fresh greenery and dogwood clippings tucked all throughout:
🎄Wrapping Up
I hope these 13 ideas show just how many beautiful moments you can create with leftover Christmas tree clippings and stems. Whether you prefer simple, minimal styling or enjoy embellishing with pinecones, berries, and ribbon, these tiny touches can bring warmth and festive charm to any corner of your home.
Happy decorating,
⭐ Check out some of my HOLIDAY HOME TOURS featuring many of the projects above:
Our Natural Christmas Home Tour: A Relaxed, Organic Holiday Home Filled with Greenery
Welcome to Our Natural Classic Christmas Home Tour!
A Modern Classic Christmas Home Tour
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