This year, consider a unique and calming Scandinavian-inspired Christmas DIY project: moss gift boxes. These small, wrapped boxes bring a quiet warmth to any bench, crate, or spot beside your front door. The base of the box can be a small cardboard box or a block of dry floral foam cut to a rectangle.
Cover the base with fresh or preserved moss, securing it with floral wire or greening pins, and then wrap it with jute twine. To add a decorative touch, a small wooden star or pine cone can be attached to the top of the box.
Creating a Scandinavian Look
Moss-covered gift boxes tied with jute bring a sense of Scandinavian calm to the garden. The simple shapes, natural materials, and muted colors of these boxes fit perfectly into the Scandinavian Christmas style. The deep green of the moss sits beautifully against the raw jute, pale wood, and warm brown of pine cones, creating a rustic and cozy look.
Group three boxes in different sizes; this creates a more visually appealing arrangement than using three matching ones. The use of red ribbon can give the boxes a classic Christmas look, while white ribbon and small wooden stars keep the design Nordic and understated. For a touch of shine, a gold-toned ribbon can be used on one of the boxes.
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To make moss gift boxes, you will need sheet moss, jute twine, floral wire, wooden stars, and pine cones. Most of these materials are probably already available in your garage or craft drawer. It’s essential to use dry floral foam, as the water-soaked kind can hold moisture against the cardboard and glue, causing the box to deteriorate within days.
Building the Moss Gift Boxes
To build a moss gift box, start by shaping the base, either by using a small cardboard box or cutting dry foam into a clean rectangle. Then, wrap the twine crosswise around the box, exactly like you would tie a real present, and knot it at the top.
Group two or three boxes in different sizes together on a bench, inside an old crate, or in a willow basket. This arrangement creates a beautiful and rustic display that can be customized to fit your desired look.
When styling the boxes, consider using an old wooden crate as a base. Set two or three moss boxes on top, tuck in some fir branches and loose pine cones around them, and the arrangement builds itself. A lantern beside it can add a warm and cozy glow to the display, especially after dark.
It’s also important to consider the materials used in the display. Jute, wooden stars, and pine cones are key elements that create a coherent look. Limit yourself to two or three colors. Green, brown, and natural tones stay quiet and uncluttered. By varying the sizes of the boxes and keeping the materials consistent, you can create a collected and deliberate look.
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Oversized moss gifts can also be used as a front-door focal point. Building the boxes bigger and stacking them by the door can create a dramatic and inviting display.
To keep the moss gift boxes looking good all season, it’s essential to place them in a covered spot, such as under an overhang, on a covered porch, or in a sheltered entryway. This will protect the cardboard and glue from direct rain and harsh sun, ensuring that the boxes remain intact for weeks. Fresh moss will dry out and shift color as temperatures swing, so preserved moss is a better choice if you want the boxes to last all season.
When sourcing materials, it’s recommended to buy moss rather than stripping it from the woods. Collecting moss on public land is often restricted or prohibited, and wild moss mats can take years to regrow. If you have a shady patch of lawn with moss, you can scrape it off, rinse it, and use it for your DIY project.
By following these simple steps and using the right materials, you can create a unique and captivating Christmas display that will add a touch of Scandinavian charm to your home. The moss gift boxes can be placed on a bench, inside an old crate, or beside the front door, and they will remain a beautiful and festive addition to your holiday decor for weeks to come, with an LED candle adding a safe glow to the display.
