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44 Rustic Christmas Tree Ideas for Your Country Farmhouse
Outfit your evergreen for a down-home celebration.
From home-cooked holiday meals shared with family to caroling door-to-door, there are a lot of reasons to love Christmas in the country. (And, did we mention all the cute small towns that are decorated for the holidays that we can't wait to visit?!) Our favorite, though, might just be decorating a fresh-cut fir with all our farmhouse trimmings. Whether the tree is festooned with freshly foraged goods or your best vintage ornaments, bringing a bit of that classic country charm to your tree is easier than you think, especially when you're up for a little Christmas crafting. But, have no fear: If you aren't feeling crafty there are some simple swaps you can make to play up the rustic feel. (We won't lie, we're obsessed with this woven tree collar we've been seeing everywhere!) Below, we've gathered up some of our favorite ways to add rustic charm to your Christmas tree.
Ready To Decorate For Christmas? Start Here With Our Best Christmas Decorating Guides:
Add Playful Paper Garlands
Nothing says homespun holiday like a simple paper chain garland. Here, homeowner Landon McAfee played up his preppy blue-and-green Christmas palette with a classic paper chain.
Just Add Bells
A long-standing farmhouse staple, bells add timeless cheer to even the most simple of Christmas trees, such as the one seen here on Alyson and AJ Morgan’s Wisconsin porch.
Hang a Simple Popcorn Garland
It doesn’t get any more classic than DIY popcorn garland. Add some oversized bulbs, pop the tree into a makeshift wooden crate stand, and voilà, a country Christmas tree at its finest. You can top with a punched tin tree topper for extra farmhouse flair!
RELATED: Try One of Our Hall-of-Fame Christmas Garland Ideas
Add Copper Accents
A mix of handmade and hand-me-down baubles festoon this Rhode Island tree, which is topped by a DIY star made from copper craft piping and ringed with DIY copper chain garland.
RELATED: There’s Snow Place Like Home for the Holidays Inside This Cozy Rhode Island Saltbox
Go for Collected Ornaments
Want to make your Christmas tree feel like it’s been years in the making? Try adding in a variety of ornaments! Just be sure to keep a clear color palette in mind (like a thread of red) so it still feels cohesive.
RELATED: 25 Easy Crochet Christmas Ornaments That'll Cozy up Your Tree
Gussy up Galvanized Tin Ornaments
Painted pine cones and dried orange slices pair perfectly with the rustic charm of galvanized tin bells and stars on this Missouri cabin porch tree. The overall look is cheerfully chippy, and will weather the elements an outdoor Christmas tree may face.
RELATED: See More of This 1830s Log Cabin All Dressed Up For an Old-Fashioned Christmas
Repurpose Cutter Quilts
Sometimes you want a tree that is pet and allergen friendly. That’s okay! If you have a stack of cutter or damaged quilts lying around that need a second life, try this clever DIY that will turn one into a country Christmas tree.
To make: Cut a 1/2-inch-thick piece of foam core to the desired triangle size. Wrap your quilt tightly around the foam core and secure in place with straight pins (no cutting needed!). Set on a picnic basket “tree trunk.”
RELATED: 93 DIY Christmas Decorations to Transform Your Home Into a Winter Wonderland
Embrace a Barely There Tree
The skinnier branches of an alpine can be just as pretty as a full-blown fraser fir, and don’t feel overwhelming in cozy corners. Add woodland creature and felt mushroom ornaments to bring the outdoors in like this crafty Utah family did in their farmhouse living room.
RELATED: This Utah Family Home Has a Hands-On Approach to the Holidays
Opt for Candied Ornaments
Candy ornaments are a sweet (literally!) style for a kitchen countertop Christmas tree, and so easy to make. Pair with cranberry garland for an allover edible-inspired design.
RELATED: Your Family Will Treasure These DIY Ornaments For Years to Come
Layer on the Lights
There’s something to be said for a Christmas tree where a tiny white glow seems to emit from every branch. It’s especially comforting to spot in the living room corner when you sneak downstairs to catch a peek of Santa.
RELATED: Here’s How to Hang Christmas Tree Lights Like a Pro
DIY a Painted Tree Stand
For extra country flair, we suggest you ditch the tree skirt and use a galvanized tub instead! You can even paint it with red stripes to resemble a grain sack.
Opt for a Rattan Topper and Citrus Garland
This timeless farmhouse-style tree incorporates classic touches like red balls and plaid accents, as well as rustic natural elements like a dried citrus garland and a stunning rattan star topper.
RELATED: See More of This Postcard-Perfect Farmhouse in the Catskills That Is All Decked Out for Christmas
Illuminate With Candles
This tree features details that harken back to earlier times, like a gingerbread star garland, electric clip-on candles (a nod to the early way trees were illuminated), and a straw star on top. A quilted tree skirt rounds out the homespun vibe.
RELATED: This Is the Only Gingerbread Cookie Recipe You'll Ever Need
Pair Classic Ornaments with Paper Ephemera
This 200-year-old farmhouse’s Christmas decor includes a tree decorated with festive balls and paper ephemera—like sentimental numbers—found at flea markets and antique shops. A galvanized bucket as the tree stand finishes the rustic farmhouse look.
RELATED: 100+ Best Places To Shop For Antique and Vintage Items Online, According to Our Editors
Use Vintage Vessels
A vintage candy tin provides a perfectly sweet base for this flocked tree. Ribbon-candy ornaments tie the sweets motif together.
RELATED: Here’s How To Flock Your Christmas Tree, According to Experts
Go All in on Natural Touches
Handmade ornaments are always more “rustic” than store-bought—and a lot more visually interesting too. In this classic stone farmhouse, simple citrus garlands hung with nylon string add an air of understated elegance.
RELATED: See More of This Cozy Farmhouse That Has Something Called a ‘Snug Room’ and Now We Want One
Style up a Stoneware Crock
Any entryway table would look lovely with this tree placed atop it. Here, a mini balsam fir is decorated with a simple plaid bow, a cranberry bead garland, and clip-on candlesticks—all sitting in a stoneware crock.
RELATED: The Best Small Christmas Trees With Big Holiday Spirit
Craft a Pennant Flag Garland
The year-round use of red in this California cabin’s living room takes inspiration from the words of Charles Dickens: “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” The large Christmas tree is peppered with felt pennants from National Parks and roadside attractions.
RELATED: Tour More of This California Lake Home That Is the Ultimate Christmas Getaway
DIY a Galvanized Funnel Tree
Now this is a rustic tree! Stack vintage galvanized funnels in graduated sizes, then place the makeshift “tree” on a counter or open shelf in your home. Small wood beads, strung on baker's twine, make for a fitting trimming.
RELATED: The 40+ Best Alternative Christmas Trees to Decorate Any Space in Your Home
Gussy up with Gingerbread
In this Connecticut farmhouse dining room, a spindly Fraser fir features equally fragrant citrus and gingerbread ornaments alongside an old wooden wheelbarrow wielding plaid-wrapped packages.
RELATED: Tour More of This Connecticut Home That Is ‘Mad for Plaid’ at Christmastime
Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isn’t working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!
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