Holiday Decorating with Real Greenery

Pine. Fir. Cedar. Spruce.

Ahhhh—-the smell of…. Christmas!

I want to encourage you to invite live greenery into your house for the holidays! Here’s why:

1.) Live greenery is beautiful!

2.) It smells amazing.

3.) It “can” be free or cost effective (what? I know!)

4.) It elevates the elegance of your space and feels very special.

The most obvious place to start is a “real” Christmas tree. Picture the snow falling lightly as you cut down your very own tree and get ready to string cranberries and popcorn on it (cue Little House on the Prairie theme music). Really though. There is something magical about the wispy pine branches drooping with ornaments as you drink hot chocolate on Christmas Eve. It reminds us of simpler times. Tree nurseries are usually easy to find wherever you live, and for less than $75 you can pick yours out, cut it down and have it hauled on a tarp to your vehicle to be loaded. There are also easier options like going to your local grocery market, flower shops, and other outdoor themed stores that will have a selection of cut trees.

This photo is courtesy of Lauren from http://blesserhouse.com . She shared about her tree farm journey and her trip with her daughter!

Pro tip: measure your space ahead of time. Make sure it’s located in a place where you will (definitely) check the water often. When the tree dries out, their needles fall everywhere and it can be a fire hazard. But— do not worry, as long as you check your water and follow basic safety precautions, you will have memorable Christmas for years to come with the tradition of a real Christmas tree. It has been a staple in family traditions for hundreds of years.

Where should it go? Think about placing it in front of a beautiful window or in an empty corner where every one will see it as a focal point at your holiday festivities.

This is a decorated live tree we love by Ellen at Feather Glass. Wow! Just wow! The simplicity of the elegant decor allows the natural beauty of the live tree to shine through. https://www.instagram.com/featherglass

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Next is garland—my favorite! Garland abs0lutely takes things to the next level. You can buy them premade (which will cost a little more) or you can make it yourself! For cutting down on the cost (see what I did there?), save your tree trimmings! Often times the nursery workers will trim your tree for you, or will even have a pile of tree trimmings you can collect from. Look around your yard! You or your neighbors might have evergreen trees perfect for snipping. White pine trees and cedar are my favorite because they give that lovely and light feeling. They’re fairly easy to work with. You can gather just a few branches and make a lot of greenery! Always ask for permission first, if it isn't your tree. Even boxwood cuttings can be used to decorate with.

I start by collecting the greenery in a large garbage bag. Expect some sticky sap. I also cover the table I’m working on with plastic for easy cleanup. You’ll need gloves, snipping tools, and floral wire. You can also soak your cut stems in water to keep them from drying out. Or spray them with a water bottle. I find that as long as they’re not disturbed, even after they’re a little dry, they still hold color and shape.

You can start small in length if you prefer, this will help you get the idea for how much greenery it will take. Start by choosing the biggest branches as your base pieces. Then layer the smaller pieces in and on top and secure the stems with wire, to the base stems. It helps to secure every 8”. If you are going for the lose and whimsy look, securing every 12” is ok!

Look at this absolutely gorgeous, natural rustic garland, designed by Liz Marie Galvan from http://www.lizmarieblog.com . A garland this size makes a very bold and beautiful statement. The orange slices are a nice pop of color and you can make them yourself! They are just sliced oranges, dehydrated slowly in a low oven, checked frequently and flipped until desired moisture level.

Where can you put it?

Get creative! I have woven greenery in light fixtures (away from the bulbs), donned it on bannisters, hung it on mirrors, formed a wreath on the door, put it down the center of the dining table, put it on our piano, and even placed it all over our front porch.

Collect treasures from your ornament stash and place them in the greenery for pops of color and depth. I like to provide a variety of textures. You can wire in faux candles that light up on a timer, for a warm and cozy feel. You can also choose a variety of hanging ball ornaments that will add a touch of class.

This asymmetrical mantle features blue and silver ornaments mixed in the garland. The bells and stars add a touch of eclectic flair. So cozy! Thanks https://thediymommy.com for this awesome tutorial and photo below.

The greenery can tend to be heavy, so remember that whatever you fasten it to will need secured with wire or ribbon.

If garland or real Christmas trees are not really your thing— that’s ok. How about a flower arrangement? The day or two leading up to your holiday dinner snip some evergreen pieces and add them to a vase of fresh roses from your local flower store. This is a great way to sneak in a touch of those rich, dark colors without the big-job of creating large garland pieces. At the very least, a poinsettia is an easy thing to purchase and add to your centerpiece.

This elegant centerpiece was featured on https://maisondecinq.com . Roses elevate any experience. And the evergreens add a beautiful holiday charm.

Whatever level of natural elements you choose to include for the holidays, it is sure to be magical, so enjoy it!

Checkout more holiday tips for decorating in our other blog posts too!

Happy Holidays from Autumn Rose Interiors.