INTO THE WILD

Very Kiwi and just a little bit glam, you can create the ultimate festive camping experience using elements from nature

There’s nothing more Kiwi than a campsite Christmas where the living is easy. Take the stress out of the holiday season by heading to your favourite campsite or glamping location, then sit back and enjoy the incredible views. We set up camp at Wainamu Luxury Tents in West Auckland, and added some festive cheer and foraged foliage to the luxuriously furnished tents.

Keep your decorating fuss-free and simple so you can enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer. When the sun goes down, spend your evenings toasting marshmallows around the campfire before nodding off under the stars. Pure bliss.

FORCE OF HABITAT

Just because you’re in the great outdoors, you don’t have to let your decor standards drop. Choose a colour theme that’s in keeping with your surroundings for a little bit of campground style. We took our cue from the rolling green hills and trees, opting for a muted palette of neutrals with hints of soft pink and green.

With the decor settled, it’s time to create what every campsite needs: a fun zone for festive drinks and board games. We decorated ours with a rug from Mitre 10 and an ottoman from The Linen Store. The stool, stemless wine glasses and marble drinks tray are all from Citta.

BRANCH OUT

Have fun making your own Christmas tree – the more rustic and makeshift the better. We cut some long flower stems from nearby flax bushes and tied them into a tree shape with string, as seen above right. Little stars handcrafted from twigs and string finished the look, along with a few other decorations we had to hand.

The pretty presents are wrapped in white and pale pink paper and tied with white string. The gift tags are made from foraged leaves and flowers with the names of each recipient inscribed in gold marker. The collection of pine cones have simply been spray-painted white for a Christmassy feel.

BEDROOM BOOST

Even when camping, you can add some glam to your space. Our luxury campsite included a bed and bedside tables, but even if you’re on a blow-up mattress, there is no reason why you can’t decorate your sleeping area with a couple of pretty vases filled with foraged foliage (don’t fill them with water, though; just replace the greenery every day or so). Our printed pillowcases are by The Fabric Queen, the throw and cushions are from The Linen Store and the star on the chest is from Bed Bath N’ Table.

Finding the way from the campfire to your tent is easy – and magical – if you illuminate the path with a tealight walkway

A STAR IS BORN

We made a star for the top of our tent and you can, too. Buy a sheet of MDF from your hardware store, draw a star shape and cut it out with a jigsaw. If you’re lucky, your friendly hardware store staff may be kind enough to do this for you.

FLORAL & HARDY

When it comes to making a wreath, take inspiration from what’s around you. We made a quick and easy toetoe wreath by wrapping the fluffy foliage around a wire circle. You could use any foliage that will easily bend into shape.

FINISHING TOUCHES

You won’t miss the twinkling fairy lights on your Christmas tree at home if you hang jars with tealights inside them from nearby branches.

The addition of handmade macramé bunting will take your decorations up a notch or two – but remember to keep to your colour palette. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials if you fancy making some yourself. Stylist Melle van Sambeek of Sailor and Scout made ours (you can see more of her decorating ideas at @sailor_and_scout_home).

WALK THIS WAY

Finding the way from the campfire to your tent is easy if you illuminate the path with a tealight walkway. Simply fill brown paper bags with a little sand and a tealight candle each, then wait for sundown to experience the magical effect (don’t leave them unattended, though; and use battery-powered tealights if kids are around). •