Country Plaid and Burlap Christmas Tree Inspiration
Get inspired to decorate a burlap and plaid Christmas tree this season. Create a warm, country-rustic look that feels festive and cozy throughout your home.
I almost decided not to share the big dining room tree this year. In truth, I considered not decorating it at all. But I couldn’t resist. Despite the holiday rush, I love seeing my nine-foot tree in the front window sparkle as I pull into the driveway at night.
This year I kept most of the same elements I used previously but refreshed the look with new ribbon and a few larger ornaments. The result feels familiar yet refreshed—perfect for a comfortable, country-inspired holiday atmosphere.
Some of the pieces on the tree came from the living room display I shared earlier: poinsettias and mini wooden skis, among other things. I often move items from one tree to another, mixing sentimental ornaments with seasonal accents to get a balanced, photo-ready look as well as a meaningful, lived-in feel.
Living Room Christmas Tree from A Very Merry Christmas Home Tour
A little decorating honesty: the scene you see in photos is often staged for pictures, and later I switch things up to reflect everyday life. After my living room photo tour, I removed the large poinsettias and skis from that tree and added our personal, sentimental ornaments—pieces we’ve collected over the years. Those ornaments are full of memories, but they don’t always photograph as prettily as a curated set of seasonal decorations.
So, the poinsettias and wooden skis didn’t go to waste—I moved them to the big dining room tree and layered in plaid ribbon and buffalo check bows. Those textures are exactly what give the tree its country cabin vibe this year.
Many of these ornaments are ones I’ve had for years: DIY chalkboard wood slice ornaments, glittery deer, handmade scrapbook-paper ornaments, mercury glass baubles, tin-frame ornaments and small filler pieces. Mixing do-it-yourself ornaments with store-bought items gives the tree personality and a hand-crafted charm that feels authentic.
Close-up of ornaments from the Plaid Christmas Tree
I adore the decorations I already own and don’t feel the need to replace them each year. Still, I enjoy adding one or two new elements to change the mood—ribbon is an easy and dramatic way to do this without overhauling the whole tree.
This year I used a rustic burlap ribbon with jingle bells, which I loved using again. I also added plaid and buffalo check ribbons to reinforce the cozy, cabin-like feel. Rather than wrapping ribbon uniformly, I cut lengths, looped and curled them, and allowed some pieces to stop mid-tree or cascade imperfectly. That relaxed approach creates movement and layers without appearing too contrived.
Cutting nice ribbon can feel intimidating, but a few thoughtful snips and placement choices make a big difference. Start and stop ribbon at different heights, tuck loops into branches, and let the ends trail in a few places for a natural, collected look.
Every year the tree fills out more as I collect ornaments and add additional lights. Comparing photos from past years helps me notice small changes—this year I realized I added a lot more lights than before, which makes the whole display glow warmly in the evenings.
When I stepped back after finishing this tree, I immediately thought of a cabin in the Smoky Mountains: skis propped by the wall, buffalo check blankets, and the glow of soft lights through frosty windows. The overall effect is cozy, rustic, and just a bit nostalgic—exactly what I wanted for this season.
I enjoy documenting the tree each year and creating a collage to show how it evolves. It’s a simple tradition that highlights how small decorating choices—more lights, a new ribbon, or an added cluster of ornaments—can change the overall mood of the room.
Do you love decorating your Christmas tree? What part of the process brings you the most joy—the ribbon, sentimental ornaments, or the perfectly placed sparkly pieces?
Sources:
DIY Crate Tree Stand
Joy sign – Target
Wooden distressed white tree – Hobby Lobby (previous year)
Poinsettia ornaments – Target
Wooden ski ornaments – Target dollar spot
Leather club chair – Ballard Designs
Car with tree pillow – Target (previous year)
Burlap ribbon with jingle bells – Hobby Lobby
Plaid and buffalo check ribbon – Michael’s
Small potted faux tree – Pottery Barn (similar)