For the perfectly lit tree, use 100 lights per foot of height, winding them back and forth the length of each branch. This will create a wonderful glow from within.
This time of the year is one of my most favorite. I love to make the outdoors look as festive as the indoors. I have always loved making wreaths and garlands with greenery from my own yard, but I recommend using artificial greens as well. It may sound funny that I use artificial greens, considering how much I love plants, but there are many good reasons why I do. I embellish them with natural greens, berries and pine cones, and of course beautiful ribbons. I like the artificial greens because they are stronger, fireproof, and you can keep them up for as long as you want.
Add real greenery to artificial wreaths and garlands to create a full and elegant look. Here real magnolia branches and white pine boughs are mixed with garlands, roping and musical instruments.
Being a florist has its advantages – one being access to floral wholesale warehouses, where the quality is superior to retail craft stores. With a few tricks of the trade, your greenery will look just as terrific! Here are some easy ones.
First – shop when items have gone on sales for 50-60% off. (These days that can be right after Halloween.) You’ll want to purchase three times as many garlands as you need. I will explain this later in the blog.
Using multiple types of greenery in a garland creates a more natural look, especially when embellished with pine cones or pods. I also added bows, grapevine and cranberry strings.
Next, select garlands with different kinds of artificial foliage and varying branch lengths. This will make your garland full and much more realistic.
Last, look for the best color of green. Multiple shades of green on the needles will give you the most realistic look.
Now that you have everything you need to create the best garland, lay them all out, and “fluff” out the individual branches. Take three garlands, (ideally one of each branch length — short, medium and long) and twist them together. This will result in one beautifully full, florist-quality garland. Next, embellish to your heart’s content.
The chandelier gets a Christmas makeover with a wreath adorned in fruit.
For wreaths, I also combine two of types of foliage, or add picks of real greenery into the artificial base. The end result is full and strong. I also attach the wreaths with wire to the hook, this will keep them in place no matter how hard the wind blows.
I love the look of Christmas lights done right. I try to not use too many lights, but always put a candle in each window, and a spotlight on the front door. My father was a master with the Christmas lights, and always loved putting them in the trees and bushes. He taught me, and I here pass on one of his best his tips: When lighting trees or bushes, start the string of lights from the trunk and wrap each branch, back and forth, all the way to the top. This will make your job look very professional. Do your best to hide all the wires with in the branches, and plan for approximately 100 lights per foot of height on your tree.
My updated tip: Put lights on timers or remote control, so that you don’t even need to brave the weather to turn them on and off.
Paperwhite bulbs about to bloom. I like to dress mine up with pine cones around the base for the holidays.
For a beautiful interior touch, start paperwhite bulbs the week of Thanksgiving in containers. They will start to bloom in 3 to 6 weeks, so you will have them for Christmas. This also makes a great gift!
Add greenery to lamp posts and mailboxes.
Lamp posts and mailboxes are also fun to embellish, just be sure not to obscure the address numbers or the outgoing mail flag.
Now the only thing left to do is to take in the beauty of the season, and to wish my readers a very Merry Christmas!
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