Gifts From Nature

How to use the fruits from your garden to decorate your home this Christmas

Forget plastic trees, ornaments and swathes of tinsel, this Christmas why not utilise the natural world to create some real magic in your home?

You may be sceptical, but wreaths, garlands and table decorations crafted using foraged greenery and garden finds, alongside incorporating holly, ivy, pinecones, and dried seed heads into your decorations is easier and more stunning than anything you can buy.

Wreathes

You will need:

•           Sturdy wire wreath frame
•           Floristry wire and garden twine
•           Selection of fresh or dried foliage - ivy, holly, evergreen sprigs, rosemary or bay
•           Pinecones, seed heads, berries (rosehips, hawthorn) and small branches
•           Ribbon or fabric scraps for a flourish

1   Lay out your frame and begin by attaching a base layer of greenery, working in one direction for a neat, overlapping effect. Use wire or twine to secure stems.

2   Build up texture and interest with different shades of green, adding sprigs of holly (with their glossy leaves and scarlet berries) and ivy for trailing lines.

3   Insert pinecones, dried seed heads, and berries at intervals to add visual contrast. These can be attached with wire, nestled among the foliage or glued if preferred.

4   Finish with a ribbon or bow.

Garlands

You will need:

•           Long lengths of twine or thin rope
•           Fresh or dried greenery (spruce, fir, cedar, ivy)
•           Pinecones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, seed heads
•           Floristry wire or thread

1   Cut your twine to the desired length for your space.

2   Bundle small groups of greenery together and secure at intervals along the twine using wire or thread. Alternate between different greens for visual depth.

3   Intertwine sprigs of ivy for a trailing effect, and add pops of colour with holly berries, dried fruit slices or seed heads.

4   Attach pinecones or cinnamon sticks with wire, letting them dangle for movement.

Table Centrepieces

You will need:

•           Shallow tray or bowl
•           Moss, evergreen sprigs, holly, ivy, dried seed heads
•           Pinecones, berries, twigs
•           Small candles or tealights (optional)
•           Floristry foam (optional, for structure)

1   Line a tray or bowl with a base of moss or evergreen twigs.

2   Now arrange holly leaves, ivy trails, and dried seed heads in clusters.

3   Layer pinecones and berries for structure and sprays of colour, inserting small candles among the foliage for a soft glow, ensuring they are safely positioned (use electric ones if concerned about safety).