Back when my kids were in grade school, one our favorite post-Thanksgiving traditions had nothing to do with downing leftovers. On one of the days following, we’d bundle up, arm ourselves with thermoses of hot chocolate, clippers, gloves, and giant canvas tote bags, and disappear together for an hour or so into the woods beyond our back yard. The three of us would search out any bit of nature that could be turned into festive decorations — pine boughs, of course, were a staple. Red berries, too. And we high-fived whenever we found enough birch branches in pristine shape to make a sculptural bouquet.

Learn more about decorating with natural materials for the holidays in “the green scene” in the Digital Edition of the Winter 2023/2024 Issue of WellesleyWeston Magazine.