When you’re looking for natural Christmas decorations online, the things that usually come up are pinecones, holly, and maybe some dried oranges. But there’s one kitchen ingredient that often gets overlooked, and I have to admit, it’s become one of my absolute favorites: star anise.
The distinctive star shape is not the only thing that makes star anise perfect for decorating. It also comes with a classic holiday smell built in. That warm, spicy scent instantly makes your home feel cozy and festive. And unlike some natural decorations that dry out and lose their appeal quickly, star anise decorations hold up remarkably well throughout the season. So much so that you can reuse them year after year.
You can use star anise in so many different ways. I’ve put together some of my favorite natural Christmas decorations using this simple spice, ranging from quick five-minute projects to more elaborate ones. Most of these can be made with just a few additional materials you probably already have around your home, like twine, wire, or a glue gun.
The smell alone makes these star anise decorations more interesting than your typical craft, and the star shape is naturally appealing. Just keep in mind that star anise can be a little fragile, so younger kids might need help with the more delicate projects.
Miniature Wreath
Let’s start with something quick and easy: miniature star anise wreaths. These tiny wreaths are absolutely adorable and surprisingly simple to make. All you need is a small amount of craft wire (floral wire works perfectly), some star anise, and a glue gun.
Start by forming your wire into a small circle, twisting the ends together to secure them. The size is completely up to you, but I like making mine a couple of inches in diameter. These are small enough to be delicate but large enough to work with the star anise without too much overlapping.
Once you have your wire circle, simply glue individual star anise pieces around the frame, placing them so the wire isn’t visible. You can go all the way around for a full wreath, or leave gaps for a more minimalist, modern look.
These mini wreaths are perfect for hanging on your Christmas tree as ornaments, or you can attach them to gift packages instead of traditional bows. If you want to add a little extra detail, tuck in some small sprigs of dried greenery or tiny berries between the star anise pieces. I’ve made a bow from ribbon here to glue to the top.
You can also make a full-sized star anise wreath for your front door or wall. Now I’m not going to say this one is as quick as the mini version. It can also be pricey to buy that much star anise. To make your wreath more budget-friendly, you can fill in spaces with other natural materials like cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, or small pinecones. Or you can try the minimalist approach, only gluing a few pieces on one side.
Christmas Tree
This flat star anise Christmas decoration is one of those projects that looks much more complicated than it actually is. Once you get the hang of arranging the pieces, you can make several in no time. All you need is star anise, twine or pipe cleaners, and a glue gun.
Start by laying out your star anise pieces on a flat surface in a triangle tree shape. Begin with one piece at the top, then add two pieces side by side below it, then three pieces in the next row, and so on until you reach your desired tree size. I usually go for about four or five rows, but you can make yours larger or smaller depending on the look you want.
Once you’re happy with the arrangement, carefully glue each piece to its neighbors where they touch. You want to make sure they’re securely attached to each other so the whole tree holds together as one piece.
After the glue has dried, cut a length of twine or use a pipe cleaner and glue it to the back of the tree, running down from the top like a trunk. Leave enough extending above the top piece to form a loop for hanging. You can also add a small bow at the top where the hanging loop begins if you want something a bit more decorative.
These flat tree ornaments are perfect for hanging on your Christmas tree, or you can attach them to gift packages. If you want to get creative, try adding tiny beads between some of the star anise pieces to look like ornaments on the tree.
Star Anise and Orange Garland
If you’re looking for something with a bit more color, this star anise and orange garland is the perfect project. The combination of the warm orange tones and the dark brown star anise creates a beautiful, natural palette that works with any décor style. Plus, the citrus scent pairs wonderfully with the spicy anise.
To make this garland, you’ll need dried orange slices (you can dry your own in the oven or buy them pre-dried), star anise, and some strong thread or thin twine.
Carefully pierce through the center of each dried orange slice and thread it onto your string, tying a knot to secure it in place. Between each orange slice, tie on a piece of star anise by looping the string over one of the star points and knotting it securely. Alternate between oranges and star anise until you reach your desired length.
The beauty of this star anise decoration lies in its versatility. Drape it along your mantel, wind it around your staircase railing, or use it as a table runner for a holiday dinner. You can also add other elements between the oranges and star anise (cinnamon sticks, small pinecones, or wooden beads all work well).
If you want a fuller look, thread multiple star anise pieces together in clusters rather than using single pieces. Just be careful not to pull the thread too tightly, as dried oranges can be a bit fragile and might crack.
Tree Ornament
For a more dimensional ornament, gluing star anise to a bauble creates a gorgeous, textured decoration. You can use plain baubles in any color, though I find that neutral tones like cream, green, or natural wood work best in case there are any gaps. You’ll need a bauble, star anise pieces, and a glue gun for this one.
Start by deciding on a pattern. You can cover the entire bauble with star anise for a full, dramatic look, or place them strategically around the ornament for something more subtle. Apply a small dot of hot glue to the back of each star anise piece and press it firmly onto the bauble, holding it for a few seconds until it sets. Work your way around the ornament, fitting the pieces together like a puzzle.
The rounded surface creates natural shadows and dimension that you don’t get with flat decorations. The star anise pieces sit at slightly different angles, which makes the whole thing more interesting to look at. You can also mix in other small natural elements like tiny pinecones, cinnamon pieces, or small bells between the star anise for extra detail.
These ornaments are substantial enough to be statement pieces on your tree, so you don’t need many to make an impact. Plus, every time you walk past your tree, you’ll catch that wonderful spicy scent.
Pinecone Tree Topper
This decoration is one of my favorites because it’s such a clever way to combine two natural elements into something that looks intentional and polished. Instead of using pinecones on their own as decor, turn them into miniature Christmas trees themselves, with star anise serving as the perfect little tree topper.
You’ll need pinecones, star anise, a glue gun, and some extra decorations.
Select pinecones with a nice shape. You ideally want ones that stand upright well or have a relatively flat bottom. The pinecone becomes your tree, and all you need to do is glue a single star anise piece to the very top, positioning it like a star tree topper.
The natural points of the star anise mimic the look of a traditional tree star, which is why this works so beautifully. If the star anise doesn’t sit flat on the top of your pinecone, you can trim the bottom point slightly or add a small ball of hot glue to create a level surface.
These little pinecone trees are perfect for scattering around your home as subtle Christmas decorations. You can also glue a loop of twine to the back if you want to hang them on your Christmas tree as ornaments. For an extra festive touch, dust the edges lightly with white paint to create a snowy effect.
Napkin Rings
Let’s end with something practical that will seriously elevate your holiday table setting: star anise napkin rings. These star anise decorations are incredibly simple to make but have a big impact, and they’ll make your dinner guests feel extra special. All you need is star anise, twine or ribbon, and optionally some greenery like rosemary.
For each napkin ring, cut a length of twine long enough to wrap around your rolled napkin with some excess for tying. Thread the twine through one of the points of a star anise piece or glue them together, positioning it so the star anise will sit prominently on top of the napkin. If you’re adding greenery, tuck a small sprig under the twine next to the star anise. When your napkins are rolled, wrap the twine around each one and tie it in a simple knot or bow, making sure the star anise is facing up.
Use rustic jute twine for a farmhouse look, or elegant velvet ribbon for a more formal appearance. You can also write guests’ names on small paper tags and attach them to the twine for place settings. After the dinner, guests can take their star anise napkin rings home as favors. Plus, as people sit down to eat, that wonderful spicy scent wafts up from their napkins, which really adds to the whole sensory experience.
As you can see, star anise is incredibly versatile for Christmas crafting. Whether you try just one of these star anise decorations or all six, you’ll end up with beautiful, natural decorations that smell as good as they look.