Over the next several days leading up to Christmas, Tribune columnist Loretta Gillespie will be sharing Christmas tips with our readers. They will include recipes, craft projects, unique home decorating ideas and more.
With just days left until Santa arrives it’s time we started decking the halls. With fresh greenery gathered from the garden or from a neighbor who needs some shrubs pruned, you can add both scent and lovely arrangements without spending anything at all.
Check with friends and neighbors if you don’t have greenery in your own yard. Go for walks in the woods and check for cedar, pine and anything bearing berries.
Nandinas and hollies are out in record numbers this year, despite the recent drought. Take along a basket and pruning shears, wrap up and spend the afternoon gathering pine cones, interesting limbs and even moss, if you can find it.
It’s easiest to start a wreath with one that is past its prime but still usable. You will cover it up, anyway, you just need the form, and the old branches, which are wired, will help to hold your fresh clippings.
If you want lights on your wreath, now is the time to add them, not when your work is completed. Hold your lights in place by bending the wired greenery on the wreath around the wires on the lights.
Magnolia is wonderful for holiday wreaths, on mantles and in centerpieces. If you want to make a wreath like the one shown here, simply start with magnolia leaves. Always make sure the leaves are facing the same direction, most magnolias have a brown back and a green front, either is fine, but you want them all facing the same way. Wire them together carefully at one end, making a long garland. Twist one end of your wire to the wreath form, then about every five inches, wrap some of the wired branches in the wreath around the wire holding your magnolia leaves. Go all the way around the wreath.
Now you want filler. This can be cedar, pine, juniper or any other evergreen, like Leyland cypress or arborvitae. Insert on the inside and outside of the wreath’s circumference.
Stand back and make sure that your greenery is balanced on either side. Now you want some color to make your wreath pop. Add your nandina or holly clippings, wiring them in place with floral wire. You can intersperse them around the wreath, or use them in a group at the top or the bottom.
If you have dried hydrangeas, feathers, antlers or other berries, use them as accent pieces to add interest to your project.
If you want a bow, add it by wiring it to the wire holding the wreath together.
Spraying interesting branches with gold or silver spray paint also gives your wreath distinction.
Pinecones can be left in their natural state, or sprayed. Wire them in by wrapping wire around a small eye bolt that has been twisted into the bottom of the pinecone, then wrap the other end of the wire through the limbs, making sure to hide your wire.
Now hang your wreath and enjoy it through the holidays! The cold weather will help it to last longer.
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