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From greetings cards and calendars to a range of gift ideas, we've got loads of ways to make the season special. And every purchase helps woods and trees too.
Shop nowCreate a cosy winter wonderland: 7 ideas for sustainable and foraged home decor
Content manager, botanist and tree lover
Though winter brings its challenges of shorter days and colder weather, there's joy to be found in simple pleasures. Embrace the season's beauty by bringing nature indoors and turning your home into a cosy winter wonderland.
These ideas combine responsible foraging and simple crafting activities with our eco-friendly shop products to lift your spirits and help you make the most of this magical time.
Forage responsibly
Gather natural materials without harming wildlife or woods (and stay within the law). Follow our responsible foraging guidelines.
1. Forage for foliage and browse for branches
Head outdoors for a winter foraging adventure to gather materials that will be the foundation for your creative projects. There are plenty of beautiful wild and cultivated plants at this time of year that can be used to decorate your space.
Our wooden flower trug is perfect for collecting your foraged finds in any season, and our eco-friendly bags and tote bags are not just for groceries; they're practical and easy to sling over your shoulder when you're out exploring.
Gardens, woodlands, hedgerows, verges, and field edges all make good hunting grounds for winter treasures like evergreen foliage, delicate twigs, architectural branches, spiky seed heads and pine and fir cones. Collect a mix of evergreen foliage such as pine, cypress, fir, box, yew, eucalyptus and olive along with traditional favourites like holly and ivy. Bare branches and twigs can also make the best decorations so look out for oak, birch, willow, hazel or the beautiful red stems of dogwood. Don't forget to include evergreen and fragrant herbs such as rosemary, bay and sage.
Did you know?
Some evergreen plants, like pine and cedar, have been associated with compounds believed to have potential mood-boosting and stress-relieving properties.
2. Wreaths and foliage
Creating your own door or candle wreath is a cherished Christmas tradition for many, and you can enhance it by incorporating foraged plants from gardens and the local surroundings.
Let nature inspire your creativity. Weave a simple wreath by twining flexible stems and branches into a circular shape, securing them with beautifully coloured our 'Twool' twine—made from the wool of Dartmoor sheep and fully biodegradable. Great plants for this include ivy, honeysuckle and clematis. For a more polished look, explore our step-by-step guide to creating a holly wreath.
For an even more rustic approach, try bundling plant stems such as red-berried holly, conifer branches, eucalyptus, rosemary and bay. Secure bundles with ribbon, Twool or raffia and hang on doors and above doorways.
Did you know?
In UK folklore, hanging branches and twigs have long been associated with bringing good luck and warding off evil spirits.
3. Branches and twigs
Create an eye-catching centrepiece on sideboards and kitchen islands using twigs and branches. Arrange bundles of birch twigs in vases and adorn them with fairy lights or mini baubles. You can add to the cosy atmosphere by placing our candles around.
If you're looking for an alternative to a Christmas tree, consider hoisting up a medium-sized branch, such as oak, from the ceiling, beam or doorway. Decorate your bough with ribbon, fairy lights and baubles. The effect is truly dramatic and spectacular, especially when suspended above your dining table - like a natural chandelier!
4. Create a magical ambience
Candlelight is the secret ingredient that turns a home into a cosy haven, especially during this time of year. Adding seasonal scents takes it up a notch further, bringing a warm and inviting fragrance into your living space.
Candles
Our candles, scented with aromatics like fig, olive, cedar and oakwood come in beautifully illustrated boxes featuring woodland wildlife. They'll help you to create an immersive and inviting ambience.
Reed diffusers
Bathe your home in the invigorating fragrance of oakwood and bergamot with our reed diffusers. Crafted using recycled glass and natural reed sticks, they'll bring an eco-friendly element of luxury to your space.
5. Make homemade gifts with foraged ingredients
Now that you've created a cosy atmosphere, embrace the ambience and transform your kitchen into a bustling workshop. Craft thoughtful and budget-friendly presents using foraged ingredients. Homemade gifts are extra special, and the materials used needn't break the bank. Dress bottles and jars up with labels, ribbons and foliage to capture the essence of the festive season.
Seasonal ideas include sloe gin, crab apple jelly, rowan jelly, and bramble whisky Get ready to spread joy or try our other homemade gift ideas.
Elevate your kitchen antics to another step with our range of kitchen and dining essentials. Our collection has you covered, from our gorgeous woodland wildlife teatowels to aprons, travel mugs and eco-friendly beeswax food coverings.
We all need trees
Trees help fight climate change, save wildlife and improve our health.
6. Plant a tree for a view beyond your window!
Although it involves getting your hands a bit dirty, now is the ideal time to plant a tree. Watching it grow from the warmth of your armchair will bring years of comfort and joy.
After planting, retreat indoors, enjoy a cuppa and feel proud of the impact you're making on wildlife and the environment for the future. Choose native species with berries to attract garden wildlife. Don't forget to hang bird feeders in your garden to make your tree's new inhabitants feel especially welcome.
7. Discover sustainable winter magic at the Woodland Trust shop
Feel the warm glow spread beyond your home. Every purchase you make at the Woodland Trust shop will help to create a greener world.
We are the UK's largest woodland conservation charity. Our vision is a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature. You can support our cause through shop purchases that help to fund our vital work to plant and protect trees and woods across the UK.
Looking for that perfect Christmas gift?
From greetings cards and calendars to a range of gift ideas, we've got loads of ways to make the season special. And every purchase helps woods and trees too.
Shop now