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Easy Christmas DIY: Beautiful Holiday Decor Using Fresh Greenery and Cranberries
An inexpensive way to add a little Christmas cheer to every room!
I always love this time of year. The smells, the colors, the food, and most of all, the Christmas decor! There is just something about decorating for the holidays that makes a home feel a little cozier.
But let’s face it, Christmas decorating can get expensive! We all dream of having beautiful Christmas bedding, festive towels, fresh greenery, and holiday touches in every little corner of our homes. Unfortunately, all those little things can add up quickly.
That’s why I love finding simple ways to bring Christmas cheer into my home without spending a fortune.
This is one of my favorite Christmas DIY projects. It’s inexpensive, incredibly easy, and you only need three simple supplies, plus water, to make it!
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What You’ll Need
- Fresh Christmas tree trimmings or evergreen branches
- Clear mason jars (any size you like)
- Fresh cranberries
- Water
That’s it! You probably already have a few mason jars tucked away in your kitchen. A pair of pruning shears will help you trim the branches to fit.
How to Make Your Christmas Greenery Arrangements
Step 1: Gather Your Greenery
We bought our first real Christmas tree a few years ago, and when they asked if we wanted the leftover trimmings, I figured I could come up with something fun to do with them.
And that’s exactly how this little Christmas tradition started!
If you don’t buy a real tree, don’t worry. Check with your local Christmas tree lot, garden center, or home improvement store. Ask whether they have leftover trimmings available—you may even be able to get some for free.
Step 2: Fill Your Mason Jars
Start by cutting your greenery to the length you like. I usually leave the branches tall enough to fan out naturally above the jar. Remove any needles that would sit below the waterline.
Fill your mason jar with fresh water, leaving a little room at the top, and arrange the greenery until you’re happy with how it looks.
You don’t need to make everything perfect. I actually like when the branches look a little natural and imperfect!
Step 3: Add Fresh Cranberries
Now for my favorite part!
Add a handful of fresh cranberries to the water. They’ll float around the stems, giving the arrangement a beautiful pop of Christmas red against the deep green branches.
It’s such a simple combination, but it looks so pretty sitting on a countertop, side table, or mantel.
And if you’re like me and love the smell of a real Christmas tree, the fresh greenery is an added bonus!
Adding a Little Christmas Cheer to Every Room
One of the things I love most about these arrangements is how easy they are to use throughout the house.
Kitchen: Place a mason jar on a wooden tray with a small battery-operated candle or a few other Christmas decorations. It’s a simple way to dress up an island or breakfast nook.
Guest Bathroom: Use a smaller jar with a few evergreen sprigs. Add a pretty hand towel, and you have a welcoming little holiday touch.
Guest Bedroom: Place an arrangement on a dresser or bedside table, away from electronics. It adds a little Christmas cheer without having to completely redecorate the room.
Living Room: Group a few jars in different sizes on a console table or an unheated mantel. I love how the natural greenery looks alongside warm lights and classic Christmas decorations.
You can even tie a little velvet ribbon around the jars if you want to dress them up, but I think they look beautiful just as they are.
A Few Tips to Keep Your Arrangements Looking Beautiful
When I first started making these, I was surprised by how long mine lasted. I remember having arrangements that looked good for nearly a month, cranberries and all!
Of course, that won’t always be the case. Fresh greenery and fruit can deteriorate, especially in a warm house.
Here are a few things I’ve learned and would recommend:
- Change the water every couple of days and rinse the jar when needed.
- Remove cranberries if they begin to soften, split, or discolor.
- Replace branches when they start drying out or dropping needles.
- Keep arrangements away from direct heat and open flames.
- Keep the greenery, cranberries, and water out of reach of pets and small children.
A little maintenance can help your arrangements stay beautiful throughout the holiday season.
Simple Christmas Decorating Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
I still remember how many compliments we received when family came over and saw these little arrangements scattered throughout the house.
And the best part? They cost next to nothing to make!
Sometimes I think we get so caught up in buying new Christmas decorations every year that we forget how beautiful the simplest things can be.
A few fresh branches, a handful of cranberries, and a mason jar can bring just as much Christmas cheer to a room as something expensive from a store.
It’s a little tradition I love and one that I plan to continue for many Christmases to come.
What are some of your favorite inexpensive Christmas DIY projects? I’d love to hear how you add a little holiday cheer around your home! Send me your ideas.
Images are AI-created decorating inspiration.