Christmas outdoor decoration: DIY Gnomes from fir branches ideas that will bring magic to your home

by Kremy PUBLISHED Dec 10, 2022

In This Article

Why make gnomes from fir branches? The magical story of the dwarves.
Inspiring ideas for DIY Christmas gnomes

Christmas gnomes have become a very popular decoration in recent years. They are not only cute, but also make the atmosphere glow in a super cozy way. So we’re not surprised if you already have a few in stock or have tried various DIYs to create this mythological being. Either way, don’t miss today’s project that will show you step-by-step how to make a great Christmas outdoor decoration. We are talking about the funny DIY gnomes from fir branches ideas which you can use to decorate the outdoor area.

Why make gnomes from fir branches? The magical story of the dwarves.

We will start with a little story that will bring magic to your home. In Scandinavian countries, these small mythological creatures are known as “nisse”. People believed that gnomes are house dwarves who protect it from evil and dangers if you were kind to them. Since gnomes are shy, they hide under their hoods and thus become invisible. So, superstitious or not, Christmas gnomes have become an indispensable element of festive decoration. That’s why, we shall give you two tutorials and simple tips for DIY gnomes from fir branches. They can be made in different sizes and look great, especially in groups. It’s much easier than you would have thought.

Also read: Outdoor Advent Decorations: Enchanting Ideas for the Pre-Christmas Period

Christmas outdoor decoration: DIY Gnomes from fir branches

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So, before you start, get the following materials:

Fir twigs
florist wire
Moss
Red Christmas bauble
Sheep wool, faux fur, cotton or silver fir for the beard
Plastic flower pot
Wooden stick
Piece of wood with a hole in the middle (big enough for the stick)

Instructions :

To create a guardian of your house, start by pushing the stick through the pot as shown in the photo above. To do this, you need to cut or drill a hole in the middle of the bottom. Push the stick through the hole and insert it into the pre-drilled piece of wood.

Lay the fir branches upside down around the wooden stick and tie them with the florist’s wire. Leave about a third of the wooden stick free.
Next, attach the moss in the same way. Cover about a third of the pine greenery by spiraling upwards.

Just below the moss, attach the Christmas bauble with the wire to create a nose.
Then take the wool, thread it onto the wire (just pierce the wire through the wool pieces) and tie the beard under the nose. That’s it! Your little gnome is ready to decorate and protect your home.

Tips for an ideal pointy hat

The pointed cap hat be made of different materials. For example, you can use moss for a natural look or a Christmas hat to add a pop of color. Another alternative is to take the sleeve or the leg of an old garment. To secure the hat of the gnome well and to create its specific shape, put a metal wire or a mesh on it.

Also read: Drying Orange Slices: The Best Methods and Great Tips for Using Them!

Alternatives for making pretty gnomes from fir branches

If you’d rather use fabric instead of foam to make your gnome’s hat, simply shape a cone from a piece of any size. Then you need to glue the ends together. Place the cone on the stick and your hat is ready.
Instead of a wooden stick and a flower pot, you can also use a tomato climbing stand, which you can buy ready-made in the form of a cone. You can also do it yourself by tying three sticks together so that they form a cone. Then, “dress” it in the same way as in the tutorial above.

A red nose is particularly attractive, but a potato, pom pom or pine cone can also be used for crafting. Do not hesitate to add various accessories such as gloves, lights, decorative painted rocks or fake snow.
Use branches from pine, juniper, thuja or another evergreen plant.

Mini fir branch gnome – instructions

Artificial or fresh fir branches
White pompom for the nose
hot glue
Bell
Yarn and small pompoms to decorate the hat (optional)

These miniature gnomes made from fir branches are very cute and easy to make. They are a great alternative to the classic Christmas tree. In the example four small branches of artificial fir are used, but you can take more if you wish. Cut a square from the fabric and place the branches on top. Fold one of the two side corners over the branches and glue them in place. Repeat with the opposite corner and secure it with the hot glue as well. Now glue the white pompom where the nose should be and then the small bell on the tip of the hat. Now, if you want, you can decorate the brim of the hat with smaller pom poms. This mini gnome is ideal for decorating the Christmas table or as outdoor Christmas decorations.

Do you already have a DIY Christmas village? Your Scandinavian mini gnomes will feel perfectly among these pretty houses. You can also add them in a mini fairy garden that you can easily make. If you have enough free time, feel free to also make a decorative gnome door that will provoke the imagination of your children or neighbors.

Also read: 2023 Front Porch Christmas Decorations Ideas for Every Style