DIY Icy Branches To Bring Ethereal Winter Wonderland Magic Into Your Home

It's quite simple to turn your home into a winter wonderland with TikTok's genius paper bag hack. But if you're an ardent "Chronicles of Narnia" fan and want to capture the frigid essence of the holiday season, mimic the fantasy world's ethereal magic with bare tree branches. The easiest way to do that is to purchase icy branches, like ChopiLine's 10-piece Lifelike Curly Willow Branches, from your favorite retailer and display them around the house. However, if you don't want to spend an exorbitant amount on the dead branches, set some time aside to DIY a few icy branches this winter. All you need are some fallen branches, spray paint, and Epsom salt to imitate the ethereal winter wonderland magic into your home.

The icy branches won't burn a hole in your pockets, especially since you can find most items at home or at your local park for free (like fallen twigs). Plus, you can customize them per your preferences. So, the branches can be as shimmery or snow-y as you want them to be. They don't even have to sport the traditional white color. After all, it's your fantasy wonderful, so don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. A great option is to go with jewel tones to stay true to the stunning Christmas decor trends that'll be taking over this season. The only drawback is you can't display them outdoors since Epsom salt will dissolve when it comes into contact with the moisture in the air. Ready to craft icy branches to adorn your interiors? Here's how you can do that.

Your DIY's VIP is dead tree branches. So, don't be afraid to scour your backyard or local park to gather a few. Try to avoid scrawny branches since you'll have to spend a considerable amount of time and effort transforming them. In case you aren't sure about a branch's sturdiness, give it a shake to see if it'll hold up or crumble under a little pressure. Bonus advantage: This step will dislodge the creepy crawlies on it. After you have the branches, wipe them with a damp microfiber cloth to remove the dirt clinging to them.

Next, get a few cans of spray paint. Opt for white for a classic look or go with any other shade for a bespoke display. Remember, you don't have to get the top-of-the-line stuff; stick with the cheap ones for this DIY, or you could rack up quite a bill on paint alone. You also need some Epsom salt to mimic the snow look. Grab some glitter to make the icy branches shimmer under the lights, but know this is optional. Additionally, keep spray adhesive or Mod Podge handy to bring all the elements together. For the finishing touches, make an elegant flower vase from a plastic bottle and hot glue or use a fancy one. Repurpose a little floral foam from your other projects or buy Gentle Grip Green Foam Floral Blocks from Dollar Tree. This will keep the branches in place and prevent them from flopping over.

Once you have everything you'll need for the DIY, prune the branches so they look like a hand-curated set after you decorate them. They can be as tall or as short as you want them. Just remember that they shouldn't veer into the wilderness territory or look too short for the vase you have in mind. Now, go to your yard (or open the doors and windows in a room if that isn't possible) and cover the floor with old newspapers or wax paper to keep the floor or your workstation clean from errant sprays. Additionally, wear a pair of protective gloves, goggles, and a face mask to keep your hands clean, your eyes safe from rogue drops, and avoid inhaling the paint's fumes.

Spray paint the branches liberally and repeat the step two to three times, letting them dry between coats. Slowly rotate the branches to cover them entirely. However, don't fret in case there are a few bald spots. A little imperfection will make them look more real. You could skip this step in case you want to lean into the 'au naturale' look a bit more. Next, lift the branches one at a time and spray the adhesive or apply Mod Podge before sprinkling Epsom salt on top. Let it dry prior to repeating this step and adding glitter on top for a chunky layer of snow on your branches. You could even mix the salt with a little bit of glitter in a bowl for a cohesive finish. Finally, lay down some floral foam in your chosen vase and affix the cured branches to them. For a truly magical look, loop in a string of fairy lights and you're good to go!