10 Things to Do With Scrap Christmas Greenery

‘Tis the season for covering our houses in Christmas greenery (if you celebrate - or if like me, you just love greens). There are so many things that can be done with the small cuttings off those evergreen pine trees or boughs from the garland. So, if you have spare scraps, read ahead. Or, if you’re late to the decorating game, on a tight budget, or living in a small space, here are some ways to bring the greenery in without the fuss.

First of all, there are a few ways to get scrap greenery to repurpose. If you got a real tree, you can use the bits that you may have trimmed off to fit it in the stand. Or maybe give it a small haircut in an inconspicuous spot! If you don’t have a real tree, you can go to any tree lot and grab scraps on the ground or go to the check-out area and ask for the pieces they cut off of the latest customers’ trees. Save them from the landfill! Tree lots are always happy to give the stuff away.

1. Put small cuttings in vases throughout the house

This is perhaps the easiest and my favorite way to use scrap branches. Seen above in my bathroom, I put some sprigs in a small vase and then put in some red berries from a tree on my property. If you’re local to San Diego, the Toyon shrub is a great and plentiful bush with pretty red berries - ask your neighbors if you can cut from theirs or grab a cutting in a public green space (be sure it isn’t protected, first!) Here’s another view of greenery in a vase with a different style of branch.

2. Prop up a big tree in an oversized vase

I love what Cathy did here with this mini tree or top of tree. If you have really big branches or particularly sculptural pieces, you can make a dramatic living tree arrangement.

3. Make your own “tree” with scraps

This one takes a bit more effort, but really not much more. Just some floral wire, a tomato cage, and scrap greenery can make a real-looking tree! Get my full tutorial here.

4. Make stovetop potpourri

I tossed a few of the branches in a pot of water with some orange rind and star anise for a lovely smell that filled the house for hours. Get some “recipes” for more stovetop holiday smells here.

5. Adorn gifts with sprigs of greens

Simple brown paper and fabric are my favorite gift wrapping materials. Toss on some fresh greenery and I’m gushing. Sarah shared these wrapping options but also talks about how traditional wrapping paper isn’t recyclable here. Go read it!

6. Fill window boxes or planters with boughs

My buddy Alison makes the prettiest winter window boxes with winter greenery and has a full tutorial with favorite types of greens here. You can apply the same method to the planters on your front porch,

7. Make your own wreath

Have a bunch of scraps and a wire coat hanger? Make your own wreath!

8. Hang a bunch of boughs over doors or on the wall

Without the effort of making a wreath, you can decorate with a handful of greenery throughout the house. This would look pretty over a door, handing under a doorway, or even hang it over your showerhead and I bet it will smell lovely!

9. Find a resting spot to plop branches

Years ago I just threw a bunch of greenery on top of the chandelier in the dining room. It took little effort and they just balance on the light fixture. I had more leftover so I piled them on the built-in, too. You could do this on a mantel without buying the pre-made garland.

10. Use a branch to make an advent calendar or other craft

I’ve seen so many cute crafts using branches to hang advent calendars, ornaments, bunting, or other holiday decor. Use the branch like you would a dowel for any craft projects to give it a little somethin’ somethin’ like this matchbox advent calendar DIY.

There you have it! If you have more ideas, share them in the comments.