Recently, I went to a seminar on party planning and decor for the holidays. It was put on by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, The Galleria, and the Women's Club of Minneapolis. Highlights? Holiday table settings by local designers and major home stores, sampling of treats like chilled chocolate vodka (wobbly legs!), and some fantastic booths and presentations.
One of the presentations was on outdoor holiday arrangements-- so I decided to make my own with willow branches, magnolia leaves, pine cones, a few other snippets, and pine and cedar clippings from around the farm. I made one, and my sister Rachel made one to match... Voila!
Crash Course? Of course!
If you want to try one of your own, fill the base of a large container with crushed cans or rocks to allow water to drain, thus avoiding freezing-expanding-exploding arrangements! (Weather proof containers work best in cold climates like Minnesota, ask at the store.) Fill the rest to the top with dirt. Use tall, narrow line plants (like willow branches) at the top center and spaced evenly around the outside. Use fuller plants around the middle. Space like-plants evenly around the perimeter of the container. Group colorful plants and pieces of interest (like magnolia leaves and pine cones) for maximum impact. Really any combination of plants will work... think of a color scheme or a couple plants that look nice together, then fill the rest with a variety of greens. Add sparkle with fake, glittery florals from craft stores. Remember to group those together, too!
* Tip for snowy climates: Make your arrangement prior to the first big freeze. If it is finished, outside, and watered (with cans to allow for expansion), the water will freeze the soil and everything will stay in place for the season!
My finished product!
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