30 Ways to Use Fresh Evergreen Boughs

It’s hard to beat the lush look and scent of a fresh tree, garland or wreath so we’ve collected 30 beautiful ways to use fresh evergreen boughs, sprigs, needles, and other small pieces.

Complete your Christmas with our collections of Outdoor Decor for Winter, Christmas Decor Tutorials, and Natural Holiday Decor Ideas

Decorating with natural elements is fun year-round, but seems especially meaningful during the winter when so much of nature is dormant!

Start with the popular DIY pinecone wreath (in under an hour!) or an easy fresh evergreen swag for your door or light — then use the extra pieces from your live Christmas tree or fresh garland to add cheer in other places with these ideas.

How to Use Fresh Evergreen to Decorate

Learn which evergreens are which and how to preserve each one over at Martha Stewart.

Use real pine and fir sprigs to fill in your fake garlands — details over at The Kim Six Fix.

Tie a sprig of evergreen on a hanger for guest coats or robes (via Lowe’s Creative Ideas).

Create a fresh pine door swag (via Good Housekeeping)

and add a wooden sign for the perfect winter-friendly front door decor (tutorial from That’s My Letter).

Create your own set of mini wreathes (tutorial from Martha Stewart).

Use an evergreen bunch and ribbon to decorate dining chairs for dinner parties (from Stonegable Blog).

Tie a bunch of branches together for a fragrant stair swag decoration (from House on the Way).

Drape fresh pine boughs over the chandelier (from Curious Details — and her whole dining room is gorgeous!).

Add small sprigs of evergreen to your china hutch or any open shelving display (from CraftBerry Bush).

See more ideas for easy holiday decorating for your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and more here.

Fill a cake plate with tree trimmings (from 12th and White).

Simmer pine needles with cinnamon for a fresh seasonal potpourri (from Make Haus).

Toss a few leftover sprigs into a pretty goblet (from Norregard).

Tie a sprig of spruce on a gift (via The Original Popup Shop and Miss Mustard Seed).

Create an easy seasonal ornament (from BHG).

Combine several types of evergreen to create a festive and fun kissing ball (tutorial from View Along The Way).

Tie a sprig of pine in the end of a table runner (via Colin Cowie)

or make the whole table runner! (via Vintage Whites).

Create little burlap pouches to hold small evergreen boughs — for place cards or wall or chair decor (from Stephanie Lynn on Positively Splendid)

and use this trick from Miss Mustard Seed to help keep the cut branch fresh longer.

Affix sprigs or needles to the exterior of a glass candleholder for an easy wintry touch (from Living The Country Life).

Decorate the mailbox (via BHG)

or your front porch bench (via BHG).

See more easy outdoor winter decorating ideas for your porch.

Place small boughs under/around a jar filled with seasonal items (and I love this on the stairs!) (from Thrifty Decor Chick)

Use a tension rod to add greenery to any window (via Country Living).

Add tree trimmings to your mantel (from Miss Mustard Seed).

Top a photo frame with a sprig of greenery(via BHG).

And keep it easy by tossing branches or sprigs in a jar or other glass container for a simple, classic look like these:

mason jar vignette with cranberries (On Sutton Place)

with a floating candle (Mommy Savers)

as a table centerpiece (Finding Home Online)

in a framed wall vase (from Sowanddipity)

as a fresh fruit arrangement (via Southern Living) — and this would look great with these orange clove pomanders, too!

 Mmm… can’t you smell it already?? Happy holidays!

More ideas for using fresh evergreen in your holiday decor:

• Easy DIY Pinecone Wreath
• Fresh Evergreen Christmas Swag
• No fresh evergreen? Try these other DIY Christmas decor ideas

Published Dec 4 2014 // Updated Nov 9 2020