Decorating for the Holidays

Grapevines are perfect right now for crafting wreaths, and can be used as a base for attaching greenery. The greens can be woven in the vine wreath or wired to it. Grapevine wreaths can also be left natural with just a bit of greenery and something colorful added for interest.

Ah, December in Central Florida. The poinsettias are in glorious bloom with many new color varieties available. They cry out, “Holiday time!” Citrus is ripening on the trees, ready for picking. Christmas cacti are opening their blooms in shades of pink, red and white. Pepper berries and holly berries are bright red, waiting to be gathered.

Poinsettias can grace the entrance to a house or be placed inside for a festive touch. You can also use them as cut flowers. To do so, gather them up to 24 hours before use. Then either immerse the cut stem in very hot water or hold it over a flame for a second or two. Immediately place the stem in cold water. Doing this causes the milky sap to coagulate and helps reduce wilting. Store in a cool place until ready for use.

There is a wide range of natural holiday decorating material all around us. This time of year we are lucky to have such a great variety of flowers, foliage, herbs, vegetables and fruit for gathering for holiday decorations. Pinecones can be found in all sizes all around. Junipers, cypress, firs, pines, cedar, and arborvitae yield materials for centerpieces, wreaths, garlands and bowls. And don’t forget herbs such as rosemary, bay leaves, and of course, shiny green citrus branches. Florida holly berries, pepper berries, kumquats, and pinecones add color and accent to any decoration. Magnolia leaves and ivy add interest to arrangements.

A beautiful and easy to make decoration that can be used as a centerpiece or placed at your front door consists of an 8" to 10" clay pot, some sand, a candle and a hurricane shade. Cut a piece of paper to fit the bottom of the pot to cover the drainage hole. Fill the pot to within 1" of the rim with the sand. Push the hurricane shade into the sand, and then push the candle into the sand inside the shade. Stick sprigs of greenery into the sand to hide it. Add a festive bow if you desire.

Some materials must be replaced. Keep some extra in a dark, plastic bag with a damp paper towel in the fridge.

Centerpieces and accent pieces can also be fashioned from baskets or platters or bowls filled with fresh citrus and other fruits, massed together with a bit of greenery such as bay leaves or ivy. Star fruit, kiwis, apples and pears can be used along with citrus or alone. Available at the Farmers’ Market this time of year, there is a great variety of squash to be had. Many of these are interesting on their own, such as turban squash, or grouped together. Many of the squashes can be used as candle holders, also. Cut the top off, scoop out the seeds and fill with oasis (floral foam) or sand. Push a candle in, add some greenery to the foam or sand and enjoy. Please be careful not to let the greenery catch on fire!

I want to wish everyone the best of holidays and to thank you for reading my column every month. Peace to all.