Christmas is a week away and now is the perfect time to add fresh greens to Christmas decorating.
Here at StoneGable, fresh greens and simple natural elements are filling bowls, vases and baskets. I don't bring in fresh greens before now because they will tend to drop their needles just in time for Christmas. And who wants to be cleaning up needles all Christmas day?
I prefer to keep fresh green arrangements very simple and natural as they are a supplement to my Christmas decor.
Because we have a kitten this year, I kept the greens very simple, no twiggy branches I love so much, no ornaments or even faux snow. These are all play toys to a Hobbes. I did however use greens that would make a statement.
Fresh green arrangements are easy to make and will stay fresh until after Christmas. They add a huge festive visual presence and smell delightful!
Choose a container.
I chose this pretty scalloped ironstone pedestal bowl to hold an arrangement for the sofa table.
Soak oasis or other moisture wicking florist material in water for 30 minutes.
Put oasis in your container and secure with florist tape.
Add base greens.
I used 3 types of greens. Frazer fur (cut from our tree), pine and incense cedar. I used the Frazer fur greens to fill the bowl, making sure to stick the branches down into the oasis to secure them.
Add "fluffy" greens.
I love to add pine to my arrangements. It adds "fluff" or a wispy quality. I purchased 2 yards of pine roping and cut it apart for arranging.
Add accent greens.
Incense cedar was used as an accent in many of my arrangements this year. It has such lovely green/gold "beads". Holly is another favorite of mine to use, too.
Add embellishments.
This year only pine cones were added to finish the arrangement. But tall twiggy branches, berries, sprays of faux Christmas goodies, etc can be tucked in your arrangement here and there for added interest.
Spraying your arrangement lightly with faux snow or glitter would also look beautiful. Not this year for me, I can just imagine Hobbes tracking it throughout my entire house or eating it... what a rascal!
Here are just a couple of other arrangements around StoneGable. Look for more next week.
Real green and faux... I LOVE to mix them!
Faux greens...
Real greens...
Just beautiful, simple and majestic. They make such a statement in a room and add a wonderful pine smell for free.
ReplyDeleteCindy
Your displays using fresh greens are just lovely, Yvonne. I take some fresh greens from my yard too, and use them in a few spots in the house. I haven't done any kind of container type decor with them, although I am inspired to try after seeing yours.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your beautiful arrangements! So simple, yet gorgeous! The Christmas balls really add to them, too. I giggled when I saw the little, white bird...I have one at my house just like it.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, love your fresh arrangement. I have replaced mine twice. I do use the oasis or they would not have lasted long at all. Your faux arrangements are gorgeous, too. I still need to go get some Christmas tree clippings at Home Depot or a tree lot so I get that wonderful smell. Raining and cold here today so maybe tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteWe have some greens in our home; I think we need more.
I love using fresh greens to decorate for the holidays. It always makes everything look so beautiful and the smell is heavenly.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays.
Thanks for the tips on using fresh greens! I'm with you that the real deal is much nicer than the fake. They not only look more beautiful, but they smell delightful as well.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, i love your beautiful blog so much, it was an overnight addiction. I got here through blog hopping and found your Christmas pot pourri recipe. I love it so much i've linked it to my blog.I used to sell this very smell in a bottle, then someone came along and changed it. Thanks to you i can have this every year now. Di,xx
ReplyDeleteSo pretty and well, fresh! Everything looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, as usual. I love your tablescapes and the use of real greens in today's post. Love the bowl of ornaments. I've cut back quite a bit of my own Christmas decorating, but I get vicarious pleasure from visiting your site and others. ;)
ReplyDeleteSimplistic beauty! Not only are your greens so beautiful, your home must smell Christmas fresh!
ReplyDeleteJo
So very simple and beautiful, Yvonne. There is nothing like the smell of fresh greens to put one in the Christmas spirit.
ReplyDeleteI think real greens make a room cozy. Your photos are wonderful. I can almost "smell" the balsam!
ReplyDeleteHave a very blessed Christmas!
I think of you as I pass by....we must get together again after the first of the year!
Becky K.
Everything looks wonderful. Love the fresh greens and the smell is heavenly. So pretty. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteLovely! I've added some fresh greens in several areas of our home and love the smell of them as well as their natural beauty. A new kitten should liven things up for Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
Yvonne, you have the perfect touch with arranging (among other things). Your greenery is beautiful and I love the little peek at your living room? Happy holidays to you!
ReplyDelete-Rene
I love using fresh greens at Christmas! Carla
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty! I love the smell of fresh greenery, but can't stay in the house with it long periods of time - allergies go into overdrive.
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying the holidays!
Bnojour Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovley! Mixing the faux with real is a good idea. I hope you are feeling better!!
Have a good weekend,
Mimi
Wonderful elegant and simple. I put mine up after Thanksgiving and they are on their last leg. You live and you learn. Happy 4. Advent.
ReplyDeleteso pretty....I am so about the pinecones this year. I think that maybe my tree just has some extra gorgeous ones this year :)
ReplyDeleteCHRISTmas Blessings!
Gail
I can smell the fresh greens all the way to California....so pretty, Yvonne. I am just trimming the tree tonight and the living room smells like Christmas now. On top of your table settings, your guests must be weak in the knees when they see your home!
ReplyDeleteYour greens, both faux and real, are beautiful! I just put out my fresh greens today too,inside and outside, and I love looking at them!
ReplyDeleteKat :)
Oh, I can almost smell those fresh greens! They look jjust beautiful! What a wonderful Christmas gift, a new Kitty! I can imagine that he would be in everything though, my daughter's puppy has kept her from poutting up her tree this year:(. I just may have to go out and cut some FRESH greens tomorrow and make an arrangement or 2 for here. I just adore that smell!!!! XO, Pinky PS< I wish you had a spot where we could sign up to get an e-mail alert when you post!
ReplyDeletePS, do you have lights in the bowl with the colorful oprnaments? It looks like you do and it looks terrific!!!
ReplyDeleteAND!!! It is a good way to trim the trees!
ReplyDeleteI stick the fresh in with the faux, nice look and aroma!
I will be there for Brunch, what time? :)
The Tablescapers luncheon was lovely! A and I were the only bloggers, the others probably think we are CRRRRAAAZY!
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Enjoy your fresh greens and their wonderful aroma throughout your home. Lovely and enlightening post, as always!Thank you for sharing!
Fondly,
Pat
Nothing like the smell of fresh greens to make the holidays so festive. I just started yesterday with some fresh greens picked at my friends home. They really do top the decorating for the holidays. Funny thing is that I live on an old Christmas tree farm but we no longer have trees here to cut greens from. Go figure. Merry Christmas Yvonne.
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
ReplyDeleteThe greens are beautiful. My favorite is the bowl with the greens and the ornaments in it. Stunning.
Our 4 cats are 4 years and under, so we have had a kitten for the past 4 years in our house. Definitely affects the decorating. I think I need a lot of cloches!