How to get that Holiday Look, but keep it fresh.

If you use fake garland or fake trees, add fresh evergreen cuttings to bring the smell and look inside – be mindful to switch them out as you would fresh flowers. Add baby’s breath or other white flowers to bring a fake tree to life as well.

Evergreen Cutting

We live in an area where the Poinsettias die if left outside. I admired a friends home up the street where hers were doing “so well”…..guess what….they were fake! She planted them in the ground – like real ones – and added boxwood & real ground cover surrounding. I now “cheat” this look in my planter boxes and on my front porch. Be careful though, you need to buy the BEST fakes you can (mine came from a Commercial Christmas Supply) and be mindful of positioning them as you would real ones. For a party, I will add real ones in the mix the day before or of if there is a strong frost coming.

Burlap was the “in thing” last season, and still has a place this one as well. It is inexpensive. Just be mindful of flames nearby as it is highly flammable.

Burlap Wreath

Large scale twigs are terrific centerpieces. Hang ornaments sparingly. I love the sparse natural style, especially in a contemporary home. For a more traditional approach, spray paint the branch white, red or gold/silver. Use sand and gravel to ground the branch in a container & go to town decorating. We used mini branches as place card holders and hung an ornament as a gift for a luncheon. Very fun, inexpensive & creative.

Tree Branch

More to come tomorrow!