Christmas is just around the corner, and for many people one of the favourite parts of the season is decorating their homes to bring in some festive cheer. Fashions for Christmas décor come and go with each year, but one style that tends to remain constant and timeless is the rustic look.

The rustic style is all about forefronting nature and natural materials. This brings a cosy and inviting atmosphere to any home that is both on trend and timeless. Here are some top tips to bring an authentic charm to your Christmas décor this year. 

Decorate with natural materials

The key to achieving the perfect rustic look is to use natural materials such as wood, greenery, and dried grasses. Aim to have a mixture of found, repurposed and handcrafted items to achieve a good balance. 

For example, Welsh lovespoons make a beautiful addition to the Christmas tree, or any other area of your home. These are handcrafted items carved from high quality sycamore, limewood or walnut, expertly carved in Wales. They have a range of symbols in the handle that carry a special meaning.

At this time of the year, you may wish to display a collection of love spoons on your tree with a decorative Celtic cross, a nativity scene, an angel, and a dove, for example. The spoons were first thought to have been made in Wales back in the 17th century, often as a hobby for young men who would then present them to a young lady whom they hoped to marry.

Ever since, the spoons have been used not just as decoration but as a symbol of love in all its various forms.

Create a rustic table setting

There are so many ways to create a beautiful rustic table setting with natural elements such as evergreen sprigs, pine cones, thick sawn branches, and twigs. For a striking centrepiece, you could place some bare branches in a large vase and hang them with homemade decorations. 

For a simpler approach, make some miniature trees with a round cut from a thick branch, and drill a hole in the centre. Insert a sprig of cedar or other greenery in the hole and then position the decoration by each place setting, adding a name tag if you have a large crowd.

Make a simple pine cone wreath

If you are lucky enough to have access to woodland walks, start making a collection of different sized pine cones throughout the autumn until you have enough to make a wreath. Start by attaching the larger pine cones to a plain wreath base with a glue gun, and then fill in the gaps with the smaller ones. Finish off by spraying with artificial snow.