‘Tis the season for holiday decorating and one of the hottest trends currently is farmhouse Christmas décor.
The rustic look is definitely popular right now, and many are filling their houses with mason jars, shiplap, and sliding barn doors. This home décor trend is great because it can look modern while still maintaining traditional elements.
That farmhouse look feels cozy, domestic, and inviting – which is exactly the feel you’re going for at Christmas time. It’s a callback to those simpler days of Christmases past. Farmhouse Christmas décor also seems fitting here in the Bluegrass State, where country living feels so natural.
So, how do you achieve that rustic, farmhouse look in your Christmas decorations?
Due to its popularity, many places sell ready-made décor that already has that rustic vibe. Hobby Lobby and Target are some of my favorite places to shop.
You can also support local businesses who are selling this type of décor during these hard times. Check out our Top 100 Kentucky Businesses You Can Support This Christmas for more ideas!
And of course, you can always get crafty and DIY some of your own decorations.
These eight elements are essential to farmhouse Christmas décor:
Burlap
Burlap cloth is a rough, durable fabric originally woven from the skin of the jute plant. It gets its rustic association from the fact that it is often used to protect plant roots or control erosion in agriculture.
Natural burlap is also a sustainable fabric because it is completely biodegradable.
Burlap can be used in Christmas décor as ribbons and bows on wreaths, garlands, ornaments, etc.
This little Christmas tree DIY from Crayons and Cravings is made from burlap of a few different patterns, which can be found in a craft store.
Buffalo Plaid
Channel your inner cabin-master with some buffalo plaid farmhouse Christmas decor. Buffalo plaid originated in Scotland as the tartan associated with Clan MacGregor.
According to legend, buffalo plaid got it’s name when it was brought to the U.S. in the 1800s. Native Americans couldn’t pronounce the Gaelic word for blanket (pladger) and started referring to them as plaids. In 1850, Woolrich Woolen Mill began producing shirts from the pattern, and the mill’s designer supposedly owned a herd of buffalo. Hence, buffalo plaid.
Odd history aside, the pattern is reminiscent of America’s pioneer days, and has become associated with rustic or mountain-y designs.
Buffalo plaid is commonly found in red and black and can be used in Christmas decor for ribbons, bows, and more.
You can also use white and black buffalo plaid, if you’re looking for a more neutral look. Home Fresh Ideas creatively uses white buffalo plaid on this pretty DIY wreath (left), which definitely has the farmhouse vibe. You can also DIY this cute little buffalo plaid Christmas tree created by Scrappy Geek (right).
Photo courtesy of Home Fresh Ideas 
Photo courtesy of Scrappy Geek
Wood Signs
There are a lot of options for incorporating wood signs into your farmhouse Christmas. Wooden decorations are a natural part of the rustic look, and you can find one to suit your theme, whether you want a neutral farmhouse or something more colorful.
On the Where the Smiles Have Been blog, there is a fun tutorial to make your own little rustic sign.
Tin Cans or Mason Jars
Tin is a silvery metal that has long been used for a wide variety of purposes, but it seems the rustic connection might be from the fact that tin is often used to make cans for canned goods.
Canning your own food may not be in practice as much as it used to be, but it’s associated with farm life, which is probably why you see it a lot in farmhouse décor.
Crayons and Cravings can show you how to make a cute, inexpensive DIY Christmas centerpiece using an old tin can from your kitchen.
Like food canning, preserving food in mason jars may also be a pastime that makes you think about country life. Mason jars have become a staple for rustic design, and they can easily be incorporated into farmhouse Christmas decor.
These Christmas mason jar luminaries from Eating Richly are easy to make yourself and are adorably rustic.
Hunny, I’m Home also has a sweet little DIY Christmas mason jar decoration that would look perfect with your farmhouse décor.
Vintage Props
When you put together your Christmas décor, consider using some vintage items to give it that old farmhouse feel.
I found this red milk can in an antique shop that I placed on my porch, and I love how it fits right in to my own country Christmas look.
I also found this sled Christmas decoration at Hobby Lobby, and although it isn’t an actual antique, it still has a vintage vibe going for it. I love how cute it looks!
Red Christmas Truck
I am not sure when the little red vintage Christmas truck became a thing, but there’s no doubt it has become a popular theme within the rustic Christmas niche.
Stacey from the Wilshire Collections blog decorated her whole entryway using the little red truck. It’s so cute and gives the space such a warm feeling.
Natural Greenery
Nothing says rustic like natural, green plants. While some may love to put every bell, ribbon, and sparkle on a wreath or garland, if farmhouse Christmas décor is what you’re going for, au naturel is better.
Simple wreaths and garlands with natural embellishments, like pine cones, can really give your space that country feel.
The unadorned garland on this entryway table, punctuated by a couple of neutral Christmas tree pieces really give this entryway a clean, yet austere, vibe. If you want to see more of the décor in this newly built modern farmhouse home, check out this feature from The Gifted Gabber.
Barn or Pallet Wood
It just makes sense to utilize wood in your farmhouse Christmas decor. Recycled wood reminds us of barns and agriculture.
You can use old wood in your designs by making porch decorations. Happiest Camper can show you how to make a Christmas tree out of pallet wood, which would be perfect for your porch.
We hope you’ve enjoyed these ideas! If you have a farmhouse Christmas décor theme in your house, take a picture and tag us on either Facebook or Instagram, @thebluegrassvillage. We’d love to see it!
About the Author
Jennifer is a writer and blogger who founded The Bluegrass Village. She also blogs at The Nerd Mom, a mommy blog for parents who love nerd culture. She is a wife and mama to four rambunctious kiddos. She and her family moved to Kentucky in the fall of 2019 and immediately fell in love with the Bluegrass State. She loves reading, gardening, and spending time outdoors with her kids and chickens.