Forget tinsel, plastic baubles and artificial wreaths; the most beautiful Christmas decorations are made with real, natural materials. Not only do they offer rich colours, fragrant aromas and tactile textures, but they also tend to be a more sustainable alternative to plastic décor.
Here are the natural Christmas decorations we'll be adding to our homes this festive season, from stunning paper decorations and wooden ornaments to dried fruit wreaths and living plants.
Need Christmas cards? See our top garden-themed Christmas cards for 2024.
The 14 best natural Christmas decorations 2024
Citrus wreath with orange & cinnamon
Buy from Etsy (£18.90)
A dried fruit wreath is an absolute classic when it comes to Christmas décor. Its vibrant colours are almost secondary to the rich and warming fragrance of the oranges, limes and cinnamon sticks.
Keep the fragrance strong in years to come by adding a few drops of Jormaepourri oil.
Light Up Paper Tree
Buy from Cox & Cox (£20.00 )
These paper trees make a classy finishing touch to any table top display. Just unfurl them and secure them open with the magnets. Then you can set the timer for the warm white string lights so they turn on automatically.
Buy the 31cm and the 60cm trees together to create a layered look.
LED Birch Star Garland
Buy from the National Trust (£8.00)
The FSC-certified birch wood stars make these LED string lights a beautiful natural Christmas decoration. They stretch 200cm in length and would look lovely strung above doorways or in dark windows.
Wooden Reindeer with Bow
Buy from the National Trust (£10.00)
National Trust's Christmas collection is always one to check for natural seasonal décor; it spans everything from advent calendars to baubles and candles, and includes this sweet wooden reindeer with a cheerful gingham bow.
We also love the National Trust's selection of festive food and drinks, which is all beautifully packaged and perfect for Christmas gifting.
Real Noble Fir Wreath
Buy from Sarah Raven (£59.95)
Real fir wreaths are one of the best natural Christmas decorations you can get. Just add string lights to give your door a welcoming glow.
Alternatively, add extra foliage to make your own decorated Christmas wreath. Don't forget to pick up the tools you'll need for making a DIY wreath.
Mandar Mango Wood Houses
Buy from Nkuku (£16.00 )
Classic enough to leave out all year round, these mini mango wood houses bring elegant style. Unlike the many white ceramic houses you can buy on the high street, these sweet structures have rich warm wood tones.
Buy a few and nestle them amongst string lights to create a cosy scene over the festive period.
Natural assortment of pine cones
This selection of real seeds, pine cones and foliage makes it easy to add a rustic touch to any Christmas display. The makers have whitewashed them to create a frosty finish, so they'll look perfectly festive scattered on trays and amongst other Christmas decorations.
Use floristry wire to attach them to Christmas wreaths and garlands for a quick DIY upgrade.
Two Plywood Star Lights
Buy from Cox & Cox (£45.00)
Light-up stars never fail to add a cosy look in a window or hung from the ceiling. These natural Christmas decorations from Cox & Cox are a sturdier alternative to the many paper stars you can buy. They're made from laser cut plywood and come with warm white LED lights inside.
Dried Hops Vine Garland
Using real foliage as decoration is a great way to add instant wow factor to a room. Swap standard Christmas garlands for plants like hops or trailing branches to frame focal points such as fireplaces and doorways.
Cyclamen in Wavy Edged Green Ceramic Bowl
Buy from Sarah Raven (£39.95)
People often overlook house plants when it comes to decorating for Christmas, but bright flowers like this cyclamen make lovely festive décor. This one comes in a beautiful ceramic bowl too, so you can put it out on display straight away.
See our other favourite indoor Christmas plants for more inspiration.
Small Straw Snowflake Decorations
Buy from Trouva (£6.00)
Swap plastic baubles for beautiful, delicate straw decorations like these. They come in a variety of snowflake shapes, and their muted colour makes them perfect for neutral or Scandi-inspired home schemes.
Ruscus & Eucalyptus Garland
Buy from Sarah Raven (£99.00)
This two-metre garland combines green ruscus and silver eucalyptus. Add your own fairy lights or keep it unlit for a naturalistic look draped along banisters or dining tables.
Dried Orange, Cinnamon, Star Anise Tree Decorations
Buy from Etsy (£18.00)
Made from dried orange, cinnamon sticks and star anise, these natural Christmas decorations are beautifully fragranced as well as beautiful to look at. Thanks to their warm golden tones, they'll look lovely hanging from Christmas tree branches or strung up around the home.
Mixed Eucalyptus and Green Pine Wreath
Buy from Sarah Raven (£99.00)
You can't go wrong with a traditional Christmas wreath made with real fir and foliage. We love the green and pinky tones of this beautiful option from Sarah Raven. And at over 45cm across, it'll make a great statement piece for your front door.
Getting into the Christmas spirit? See our favourite indoor Christmas plants and botanical candles for Christmas.