30 Ways to Use Fresh Evergreen Boughs

It’s hard to beat the lush look and scent of a fresh evergreen 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!

Fresh evergreen branches, trimmed from you real Christmas trees, are not only a symbol of enduring life during the darkest days of winter but also a versatile element that can infuse your home with natural beauty and a hint of woodland charm long after the holiday lights dim. And don’t forget that heavenly pine scent!

Start with these popular craft ideas 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 this holiday season in other places with these ideas.

So let’s explore 30+ creative and eco-friendly ways to repurpose those lush sprigs of pine, fir, or spruce.

From crafting personalized wreaths that welcome guests with a touch of greenery to conjuring an ambiance of woodland whimsy with homemade garlands, there’s a multitude of options to transform your leftover evergreen limbs into decorative and useful items.

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In Open Shelving Displays

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

Stacked in Dish Displays

Fill a cake plate with tree trimmings, the perfect visual treat for the holidays! (from Courtney M Browning).

Fresh Seasonal Potpourri

Simmer pine needles with cinnamon for a fresh seasonal potpourri.

Goblets Full of Tiny Sprigs

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

Gifts with Ribbons and Tiny Pine Sprigs

Tie a sprig of spruce on a gift tied with a bow, and now need for other fancy wrappings (via The Original Popup Shop).

Christmas Bauble with Pine Sprig

Create an easy seasonal ornament (from BHG).

Kissing Ball Entrance Display

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

Table Runner Tie

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

DIY Pine Table Runner Display

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

Burlap Pouches

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

A Faux Mini Tree (2 ways)

Follow this tutorial to create two different versions of a mini table top Christmas tree from tree clippings. Get that traditional Christmas tree look or even a slightly Charlie Brown look if you desire. Tutorial at Sew Historically.

Keep Your Cuttings Fresh

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

Votive Candle Lights

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

Beautify Your Mail Box

Decorate the mailbox (via BHG)

Decorate the Front Bench

Its probably a little too cold to hang out on your front bench, so why not use the space to create a beautiful display on your front porch bench or in a space you can see in your backyard. I especially love the huge pinecones! (via BHG).

Lighted Pole Decoration

Get that look of the North Pole with a decorated outdoor lamp. You can actually buy these if you don’t currently have a lighted entry pole. Check them out here.

Stair Votives

Place small boughs under/around a jar filled with seasonal items (and I love this on the stairs!) You could also add remote control votives for added ambiance at night!@ (from Thrifty Decor Chick)

Green Window Display

Of all the DIY projects, this is fast and easily removed after the holiday. Use a tension rod to add greenery to any window (via Country Living).

Christmas Mantel Decor with Greenery

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

Embellished Photo Frame

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

Vase of Greenery

And keep it easy by tossing Christmas tree branches or sprigs in a jar or other glass container for a simple, classic look like these. Get that gorgeous pine smell easily even if you have an artificial tree.

Mason jar vignette with cranberries (On Sutton Place)

Floating Candle Vase

with a floating candle (Mommy Savers)

Table Centerpiece

as a table centerpiece (Finding Home Online)

Framed Wall Vase Display

A great way to change decor seasonally is this little wall art vase set up. In a framed wall vase add your seasonal inspiration (from Sowanddipity)

Gorgeous Fruit Arrangement with Cuttings

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
• SEE MORE IDEAS FOR EASY HOLIDAY DECORATING FOR YOUR KITCHEN, BEDROOM, BATHROOM, AND MORE HERE.
• SEE MORE EASY OUTDOOR WINTER DECORATING IDEAS FOR YOUR PORCH.
• At the end of the season don’t forget to slice up that Christmas tree trunk and make a tree slice wreath!

Published Dec 4 2014 // Updated Nov 9 2020 // Nov 7 2023