A Northern California Natural Christmas

Hope you are having a cozy weekend. We’ve had a wet and stormy week and today looks like much of the same. Today is our town’s annual Christmas parade, but I think I may stay in while the Cub Scouts brave the elements. Yesterday I spent the better part of the day picking up remains from the storm that hit Thursday night. The winds had brought gifts of sequoia and redwood branches and pinecones of all sizes. Cleaning up got me inspired to begin my Christmas decor and so out with the orange! I started going for a more Christmas zen feel with branches and naturals and neutrals.

The English use clips of trees and holly to frame pictures and mirrors in the home. This is a tradition that dates back to the Druids who believed bringing greens into the home brought fertility and warded off evil spirits! Well, okay. No fertility needed here please, but I do think they look lovely and festive. I just like tucking them in a few spots for Winter welcome.

How lovely if we just let nature dictate the decor? I think all these greens look right with burlap, walnuts and my pretty mercury glass. All colorless really. I haven’t unpacked the big boys yet and may just have to keep some brights in the boxes this year. The light feel of this all just calms me. (Yes I’m trying to forget the Christmas timetable here people!)

Leaving out my seashells and popped in a few of these antique looking little ornaments I bought in mesh baggies from Restoration Hardware last year.

Just a few of these and more redwood discards on the living room mantle…Haven’t gotten the stockings or tree up yet…

Sequoias above are one of the prettiest conifers in my opinion.

In this grey wooden box I bought from Bunches florist, I stuck in the remains of the yard disaster- pinecones and tree bits. I think I like this best of all. It’s in my entry and smells so good when you open the front door. Juniper bushes have pretty little white pinecone like berries right now. Cypress bushes are also a good filler and cuttings can look mini tree like.

More evergreens… I’m noticing everything looks a bit crooked here. Hmm, could be my photography or possibly my house!

I’m loving my boxwood wreath from Trader Joes. So pretty and different for $9.99. I added my own burlap wired ribbon. The Container Store is my go to for ribbons this time of year. Their lovely wooden spools of dreamy colors make wrapping so fun.

How about a holiday posy? This mustard jar was perfect for the tiny bits of greenery. Tie with a whispy burlap thread and you’ve got a little Christmas for next to your bed or the powder room. Instagram makes everything look cool doesn’t it?

So before you go all out on Christmas decor, consider you surroundings. you might just have the most beautiful things right outside your window! It’s better for the earth and your wallet. If you don’t have evergreens like Northern California, you could use other greens like olives branches and even succulents. It’s all about bringing the nature indoors in the winter. Mix your greens with a minimal amount of silver or gold add neutrals and you have got a Northern California look!

Happy foraging!

Kim