55+ Ways to Decorate with Fresh Christmas Greenery

Unique garland, tall tapers, and pops of warm colors make for a modern mantel setting.

Greenery: An olive branch garland is fresh, airy, and modern. For a full wreath, wire a slightly smaller form inside the larger one. Cover with bay leaves, olive branches, and silver dollar eucalyptus.

Ornaments: Gently press the wire loops into candlestick sockets to keep them secure.

Candles: Choose unexpected colors that work with the room, and vary the heights.

If you have a large window in your home that doesn't usually have treatments, go ahead and hang a simple garland here to frame your space.

Citrus adds a pop of color to an all-natural palette

What You'll Need

• 12-inch wire wreath frame
• 'Carolina Sapphire' cypress branches
• 26-gauge florist wire
• Magnolia leaves with stems
• Florist glue
• Pussy willow branches
• Clementines
• Araucaria
• Green velvet ribbon

How-To

Set wire wreath frame flat on a table. Use cypress as the base; attach branches to frame with florist wire. Dip stems of magnolia leaves in florist glue; add to wire frame. Tuck pussy willow into frame. Pierce clementines with florist wire; wrap wire around frame to secure. Add araucaria or other greenery from the yard for texture. Wrap ribbon around bottom of wreath, and tie in a knot. Mist the wreaths with water every few days, especially if they're in direct sunlight.

Scatter votives of different sizes throughout fresh greenery on the table for a simple centerpiece that doesn't have to be watered. A small vase is also filled with loose greenery for additional interest.

Combine three traditional holiday colors for a classic mantel. A wreath of Fraser fir, pine, and cypress is complemented with matching garland. Weave silver beaded garland throughout the greenery and hang oversized, silver pinecones at the ends. Incorporate red touches with a fresh rose arrangement and a few red ribbons.

Touches of gold elevate staircase greenery

What You'll Need

• Zip ties
• Two 9-foot faux Fraser fir garlands
• Magnolia leaves
• Dried hydrangea blooms that have been spray-painted gold
• Lavender
  Velvet ribbon

How-To

Zip-tie garlands to the banister. Tuck bunches of magnolia leaves (green sides up) into the wire of the garland so it's completely covered. Add hydrangeas periodically to wire so arrangement flows up banister. Wrap ribbon around the railing and garland; make it into small bows to cover zip ties.

For a mix of traditional and modern, use mercury glass teardrop vases to hold bright holly berries, available from florists and garden shops. Leaning on warm orange and red hues, we added some mandarins and pomegranates for texture, color, and fragrance. Kept in fresh water, the berries should last up to three weeks.

Don't let the living room have all the holiday fun. Make a playful statement in this welcoming area with a garland-draped, stocking-bedecked banister (D. Stevens Velvet Christmas Stockings; neimanmarcus.com). Tie the stockings directly to the balustrade, not the garland. Lastly, loop on ribbons (from Mood Fabrics and Paper Source). Secure the main garland to the banister first, and then use wire to add sprigs of another type of greenery.

Don't forget to decorate your statues during the holidays. These deer get wreaths around their necks and ornaments hanging from their antlers.

This sideboard and mirror get in on the festivities with a modern garland and a few hurricanes filled with greenery and ornaments.

Greenery: Cedar is probably the most forgiving foliage you can use, because it loves to drape and spill over edges. An asymmetrical garland on this buffet mirror puts a modern spin on traditional decorations.

Ornaments: Suspended from red ribbon, these glass balls add interest to the gold mirror. Others are sprinkled below in hurricanes and on a large wooden tray.

Candles: Votives and hurricanes stretch out the candlelight.

A pair of naturally shed elk antlers are embellished with a simple Fraser fir garland with additional clippings of boxwood, magnolia, and cedar for a mantel display that is a little bit rustic, and a whole lot chic.

Adorn your porch, front doors, and windows with extra-thick garland and wreaths. Here magnolia, cypress, and pinecones work well with the home's facade.

Top a decorative piece in your house with magnolia swag with pinecones. Hang a few paper ornaments from the swag for an extra touch of holiday cheer.

Instead of draping garland across the furniture, go high and add boughs of cedar to the tops of artwork.

Greenery: If you have an existing gallery wall or a collection of family photographs, you can dress up the display with boughs of cedar and bright red ribbon sashes.

Ornaments: A grouping of metallic orbs under a glass cloche creates a singular decorative object. For day-of-drama, these 'Merlot Red' scabiosas, nicknamed pincushion flowers are perfect. Cut stems on the diagonal, and place in water-filled individual vases.

Candles: Stacked books give candlesticks even more presence and help protect furniture.

Don't be afraid to go all out with greenery. Here you can find fresh greenery draped over the art, on the chandelier, and hung from the chairbacks.

A traditional boxwood garland is dressed up around the doorway with trailing ribbons and silver ornaments. Cut different lengths of ribbon, string the balls, and knot the lengths together before attaching to the door frame.

Create a unique garland with lemons and magnolia leaves to hang anywhere in your house. Use heavy florist wire to string the lemons and magnolia leaves together and knot the ends to secure. We draped our lemon garland around a mirror on the fireplace and adorned the mantel with traditional garland and additional lemons.

Guests at a dinner party can see each other and have conversations easily across a pine-garland centerpiece.

Greenery: Lay a wispy length of pine as a green runner on your tabletop.

Ornaments: Place special treasures where you can see them best, right on the table. Vintage family ornaments are both stylish and nostalgic, so if you have a few from your grandmother's collection, display them here. Mini stockings with stems of boxwood work as place cards and gifts for guests.

Candles: Keep it simple with basic glass votive holders, which bring warmth and a soft glow to the room.

Don't forget to decorate your kid's room. Top their bed with a swag of fresh greenery for extra Christmas cheer.

Cascade boxwood garland and ribbon down the banister. When you're ready to entertain, dress up the garland with fresh hydrangeas, succulents, and seeded eucalyptus. Use a floral foam cage with a bow and trailing ornaments and attach to the banister with coated wire.

Designate a couple of shelves in your built-in bookcase to hold items for serving wine and cocktails when you're entertaining. A garland drape calls attention to this spot so guests know where to grab their drinks.

Greenery: A cedar garland frames this temporary party bar. Fresh accents are fastened to some of the bottles and embellished with ribbon and tiny orbs.

Ornaments: Group them in a bowl for a quick display.

Candles: Warm yellow is an alternative to the usual Christmas gold and pairs just as well with a red taper. Candlesticks are in varied heights and styles but feature the same finish.

Instead of hanging one large wreath, try stacking two smaller wreaths on your door. Hang the two wreaths from fishing line. Cover the line with decorative ribbon that matches the rest of the Christmas décor.

A mix of seeded eucalyptus, magnolia, and spruce come together for a relaxed garland. A cluster of magnolia leaves tied with a bright blue ribbon add a little drama to this garland.

Deck out any doorway with a traditional mixed garland. Go bold with spray-painted palm fronds in the corners.

Pussy willow adds some height to a simple arrangement of pine branches with cones, displayed in an antique blue pickle jar. (Find these online or at thrift stores.) A turquoise ribbon complements the colored jar and the decorative Christmas trees. The limes accentuate the green tones from the branches and connect them to the base, a large pewter tray that offers a bit of shimmer without the shine of silver.

Instead of draping your garland up the stairs, try lining the banister with a sturdy boxwood garland. Simply lay it on top the banister and secure it in place with floral wire.

Bring some color to your Christmas wreath this season with the addition of small oranges, tangerines, and kumquats. Pick up a simple evergreen wreath and add the fruit with florist picks and wire. Hang this wreath with a fun ribbon and your guests will love walking up to your house.

If you have loose magnolia leaves on hand, create a simple arrangement for your table. Fill a bowl with loose leaves and a few mercury glass ornaments and you're all set.

Don't be afraid to create a mantle display that favors one side of your mantel. Sprigs of seeded eucalyptus and magnolia are inserted into a bay laurel-and-cedar garland for an extra zip to traditional Christmas décor.

Don't just swag your garland along the railing. Create vertical interest and frame your door by wrapping the posts of your porch with garland as well. We also love the use of three wreaths on each door.

Play up one color for extra impact. We paired clear glass containers with fruit, foliage, and ribbon in a fresh shade for an unexpected display. Arrange camellia branches in one water-filled vase and naked seeded eucalyptus in another. Place a mound of apples beneath a glass bowl. Accent with contrasting ornaments and tiny battery-powered fairy lights.

Instead of just draping your garland across the mantel, hang it all the way to the ceiling to draw the eye up. Here, a magnolia garland is hung with bright red ribbon. Finish the mantel off with some mini evergreen trees, a bushel of apples, and more red ribbon.

Bring holiday cheer outdoors and hang garland over arches in your outdoor living space.

This freeform, romantic garland comes together with thoughtful placement of artificial garland, fresh eucalyptus, and dusty miller. With the addition of vases of varying heights, you can easily replace the fresh flowers throughout the season. Silver brunia, white ranunculus, star of Bethlehem, 'Sahara' roses, eucalyptus pods, succulents, and snowberries fill out the vases and the mantel here.

Spread Christmas cheer in your kitchen without cluttering your countertops by placing garland on top of your cabinets.

Drape a single Leyland cypress garland across the room's focal point (here, it's the hood). Accentuate it with dried orange slices that are suspended from colorful ribbon streamers, and hang wreaths in the windows. Top counters with potted orchids and a bowl of oranges.

Hang fresh greenery bunches on the back of your dining room chairs for a festive touch. A ribbon and ornament adds a little sparkle.

Relive the joys of Christmas past and present by displaying them on your garland. Simply punch a hole in the top of each card and tie them to the garland with string.

A simple boxwood garland draped over the mantel is complimented by gold votives, candle sticks, and a few deer. The stockings are hung with small nails instead of distracting holders.

A fully set table signals that the party is about to begin. Get your dining room ready to host company with this elegant, enlightening idea. In the base of the chandelier, slip in clippings of two or three types of greenery, such as Leyland cypress, Southern red cedar, and cider gum eucalyptus. (Safety note: Don't place the greenery close to the bulbs, and mist the foliage often with water, carefully avoiding the light sockets.) Hang wreaths accented with simple blue and white ribbons throughout the rest of the room.

Add some shine to your natural garland with a variety of oversized plastic ornaments in various colors. A few glittery birds are added to each side for extra flair.

Fill your urns by your front door with fresh greenery clippings. Add festive color by spray-painting thin branches in red and group them in the center of the urns.

Create a different tree this Christmas with a few birch logs bundled together with fishing wire. Drape this with garland and a ribbon to match your décor.

A wooden vessel creates a more relaxed, natural look while also hiding the florist foam, which holds the magnolias in place. To make this asymmetrical foliage arrangement, choose the longest branch first, one that reaches far enough to one side to give it a horizontal shape. Place your second-longest branch on the other side and the shortest in the center. Then accent with ornaments and fairy lights placed nearby.

Hint: A glass vase inside the wooden container lets you water without doing any damage.

A juniper garland, clusters of ornaments, and streamers of ribbon are combined to create a polished look on the stairs.

Greenery: A fresh juniper garland smells heavenly and makes an elegant statement cascading down the stairway.

Ornaments: Cluster balls in assorted shades along the garland, and wire streamers of ribbon to the top and bottom of the railing for a polished touch. If you have a festive friend like we have here, tie a collar of ornaments to him for even more holiday cheer.

Candles: A hurricane with greenery, metallic orbs, and a neutral pillar candle creates an understated Christmas look that can extend to New Year's. Insert pillar candles into tall glass cylinders before placing them in hurricanes filled with ornaments and greenery.

Seeded eucalyptus, palmetto fronds, and turquoise ornaments come together for a festive and beachy look for the holidays.

Create a festive bundle to hang on guest beds by tying a small bunch of magnolia with a ribbon.

Incorporate your display wall into your Christmas décor by embellishing with fresh greenery and ornaments. Don't forget your console either. Simply lay loose greenery along the table and place ornaments in the vacant spaces.

Welcome your guests with mini trees when they walk up to your door. Fill 5-gallon buckets, or pots you have on hand, with dwarf trees. Place an abundance of magnolia leaves into the bucket to give these trees extra dimension.

Create a wreath that means something to your family by making your own shape. Plastic foam was cut out in the shape of a horseshoe and filled with bay leaves.

Swag a boxwood garland wrapped in ribbon around the mantel letting the ends trail to the floor. Fill the garland out with dried hydrangeas, faux crabapples, and silver brunia berries. When guests are headed over, add fresh roses, lilies, and hydrangeas in florist picks along the center. Put out a few fresh pears on the mantel to accompany the beautiful garland.

You don't have to go all out for a holiday centerpiece. A few boughs of fresh greenery, your collection of candlesticks, and a few gold starbursts are all it takes for this table to go from boring to spectacular.

A layer of Fraser fir is enhanced with a few mercury glass Christmas ornaments. Drape a beaded garland down from the mantel to create more movement and interest.

Why hide a beautiful mantel with miles of heavy red ribbon and thick greenery? Create a simple yet striking look with thin greenery and light colors (inspired by in-season pears). Cascade a single garland, like Leyland cypress, asymmetrically across the mantel. Then, embellish it with a pale pink wired ribbon (we used about 10 yards). Next, attach sprigs of fresh magnolia clippings with wire to sharpen the silhouette. Finish by placing pears and candlesticks with tall pink tapers along the top of the mantel. Complement the shape of the garland with a bouquet of quirky anemones (shown here) or ranunculus.

Creamy white ceramics make great vessels for holiday blooms. We've mixed holly, cedar, and privet berries with white amaryllis and lime green mums. Start with foliage, placing the largest pieces first to establish the size of your display. Add flowers and berries one stem at a time to form a triangle of amaryllis, mums, and berries. Fill in with more greenery, and skirt your vase with colorful packages and ornaments.

Locally sourced cypress is hung from the banister and given an extra touch of Christmas décor with a few stockings attached with ribbons and ornaments.

Pile thick garland around your front door to create a forestlike feeling. You can easily add more clippings to a ready-made garland to achieve the look you're going for. A boxwood wreath and urns with loose clippings complete the look.

Instead of making bows with your ribbon, just cut strips of ribbon and create streamers to hang with your garland along the stairs. Hang a few ornaments from the streamers and your Christmas décor will feel fresh.

Keep kitchen counters clear with arrangements in your window. Silver champagne buckets are filled with fresh greenery, amaryllis and nandina berries. Frame the display with an evergreen wreath to create depth.

On the exterior, go for a few high-impact pieces rather than small, hard-to-see details. This entry point's all-natural look started with a 25-foot Leyland cypress garland that curves around the front door's fanlight and runs down the sides, with clusters of large pinecones fastened with wire. A lush collar of magnolia leaves, loosely stuffed into the top of each topiary pot, is an effortless holiday addition to any year-round container. For the cypress-and-olive branch wreath, we attached Ballard Designs' Vintage Bell Swag and a trio of ribbons to the top center.

Stop by the produce section of your grocery store and pick up colorful oranges and apples for your mantel. A base of spruce and magnolia clippings round out this well-thought-out mantel.

Take the ornaments outside by incorporating them into your entry. After sweeping premade garland over the door, wire assorted ornaments in masse at the top and scatter more down the sides. Go further and decorate mini Christmas trees with more ornaments and beaded garland.

If you have a room with a strong point of view, go with simple holiday décor. Here a thick magnolia garland and white stockings are just enough to make this room feel festive.