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Easy Winter Basket Decor With Birch Logs

By Rachel

January 4, 2023

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Add warmth and texture to your home using this easy winter basket decor with birch logs!

It’s a brand new year that is welcoming us with hope and enthusiasm! To start off this year, I am sharing an extremely easy DIY that you can use for winter decorating. If you have never done a DIY in your life, I promise you will be able to create this! This winter basket was made using items that I already had on hand as well as natural elements from the woods. Follow along as I show you how to make this easy winter basket decor with birch logs!

If you read my thrifted goodies volume 6, you might remember that I found the basket that I’m using today for $2.99 at the thrift store. You guys, this is truly the easiest DIY ever, only using a basket, birch logs, a scarf, a few stems of faux greenery and some ribbon.

As we go I will share other items that you can use in place of mine in case that’s helpful for you. With that, let’s create a pretty piece of winter decor!

Materials Needed

a basket
blue plaid scarf or fabric
birch logs
stems of greenery (faux or real)
lace ribbon

Easy Winter Basket With Birch Logs

The first step is to scrunch the scarf into the basket.

Tip: If you don’t have a scarf, you could use a large piece of fabric or a linen such as a tablecloth.

The blue tones in this scarf are perfect for this time of year. I’ve really been loving using scarves as a base in decor lately…it seems to make everything feel balanced and cohesive. And, it’s free!

a blue plaid scarf used for a winter basket decor

Typically, I would use floral foam in the bottom of a basket to hold the logs in place but this large scarf is taking the place of that. Just make sure you have plenty of fabric inside the basket.

I left some fabric overhanging on the front of the basket because that looked pleasing to me but you do whatever you like!

a blue plaid scarf in a basket for winter decor

The next step is to place the birch logs.

Birch logs are quintessentially winter, aren’t they?! Whenever I think of a winter scene, my brain usually gravitates towards birch trees covered in snow.

For my basket, I went foraging in the woods near my house and picked up birch branches that had fallen onto the ground. If foraging isn’t your cup of tea or you don’t have birch trees where you live, here is a good faux option.

Tip: If you can’t acquire birch logs specifically, any type of small logs or branches will do!

birch logs collected from the woods for a winter DIY

There is not a right or wrong way to do this. I simply placed logs in one at a time and moved them around accordingly.

a birch log used for a winter basket

To secure them in place, I made sure the logs were touching the bottom of the basket and then scrunched a good amount of fabric around the base and sides of each log.

I ended up using 3 birch logs in my basket. You may use more depending on the size of your basket.

Tip: Try and use logs that have interesting shapes to them such as crooked branches or ‘y’ shaped stems. This creates a character-rich display full of movement and texture.

birch logs in a blue scarf for a winter basket display

Then, add in stems of greenery.

You can use either real or faux stems. I had these faux stems in my stash that worked beautifully. The leaves are varied in color, making them appear more life-like.

faux stems of greenery for a winter basket

You can find stems for an inexpensive price at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby.

Tip: Green stems that are more warm and muted in color look lovely. Think sage, lambs ear, or eucalyptus.

a faux green stem used in a winter basket display

Gently push one stem at a time into the basket, filling in any gaps or holes. The idea with the greenery is to complete the winter basket with color and texture. Use as many or few stems as you would like…there are no rules when it comes to creating decor for your home!

a winter basket with birch logs and greenery

I placed stems until my basket looked full but not overly packed. I still wanted there to be breathing room in the display as a whole.

Last, add a ribbon.

The final touch to the basket, if you so choose, is to tie on a ribbon. I tied mine onto the top handle so that the ends of the bow could hang down over the greenery.

This step is optional so don’t feel like you have to include a ribbon.

a lace ribbon tied onto a winter basket

The ribbon I used came from the dollar store over a year ago now. It is my most favorite ribbon that I’ve ever found!

lace ribbon tied on to a winter basket

I’m not current on my ribbon terminology so if you know what the ribbon part that hangs down from the bow is called, comment below! For now I am calling them tag ends.

With that, an extra thing that I like to do is to have the tag ends of the ribbon be different lengths. So, if you notice on my basket, the left tag end is slightly shorter than the right tag end. For me, it just looks pretty to have the ribbon a bit rustic in it’s appearance, a bit wabi-sabi if you will.

Tip: For a finished look on the ends of a bow, cut the bottoms at a slight diagonal.

Display the winter basket!

That’s it! This pretty winter basket is complete.

a winter basket with greenery and birch logs

The beauty about this basket is that you can display it in a variety of ways. I chose to set mine on the mantel along with some milk glass, a candle, and a book for a simple winter mantel display.

You could also style the basket into a winter vignette, hang it on the wall, display it on the front door of your house, or set it on a shelf. Wherever you choose to use it, I hope it brings you joy whenever you look at it!

a full winter mantel with a diy basket, candle, milk glass, and a blue vintage book.

Closing Tidbits

My sincere hope is that this easy winter basket decor with birch logs is inspiring for you. Creating decor for your home is special because you can customize it to fit your space. By outfitting your home with things that you love, it inherently ushers in a sense of peace and calm. Be encouraged to find substance and meaning in your decorating. Wishing you a joyful and fulfilled year ahead!

signature from The Antiqued Journey

Let me know in the comments below if there is anything else you would add to this basket! Where would you display yours? I would love to know!

an image for pinning

Just click the red button the left corner!

a DIY winter basket sitting on a mantel with vintage decor

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