Holiday Table Display

I'm not good at floral design.  Ever.  In fact, most bouquets that come into my house look the best just plopped into a vase.  I've really taken to the idea of using an abundance of one element in design, that way I can't screw it up!

So this is my newest attempt to be "crafty", and if all else fails, I'll have my mom come over and fix it!  (She is great at floral design!)

I have a thing for Osage Oranges, my "thing" is that they repel spiders!  Double "YAY"!  I also like their chartreuse color and nubby exterior.  I picked up a beautifully simple mahogany tray and piled them on.

I happened upon these nifty, battery operated lights at Target.  I like the combination of shiny bulbs with natural elements and I don't have a convenient spot to plug in on my kitchen table, so the battery feature is great.

I gathered up some boxwood sprigs from my shrubs and a few stubby pine cones from our trees.  I chose the boxwood for it's glossy leaves and I don't think it's poisonous to the animals. (I know they party on my table as soon as I leave for work!)  I think holly would look fantastic too!

I piled all the Osage Oranges up and tucked in my light string so you couldn't see the cord.  I then added my other elements in spots that were uneven/bare and tried to even the whole thing up!
 

I love this mellow glow and rustic look!  I think a few old mercury bulbs would look great too!

Christmas Decor & Retailers

I am between a rock and a hard place at this time of the year.  I am a retailer.  Yes, we just had a Holiday Open House to kick off the holiday season on November 11.  Yes, I am one of those irritated consumers that would just like to experience one holiday at a time, but I understand the whys.

Instead of fighting the holiday season let me show you what I do at The Boulevard Market to keep Thanksgiving alive:

 We do put up our Christmas trees, but go with an Autumn decor of colorful leaves, birds (I love these pheasants) and glass bulbs in colors like copper, mocha and warm beige.  We add beaded fruits and berry clusters that will stay once the trees are transitioned to traditional Christmas decor.

The Market also features displays of foods, wines and cheese gear that is perfect for the Thanksgiving feasts!  This Cranberry wine is a customer favorite!
 

I understand a retailer's dilemma, especially for independent business owners, but I feel it's right for The Boulevard Market to keep Thanksgiving a little special and separate from Christmas.  After all...isn't it the biggest FOOD holiday of all?!

Getting Crafty

I have always loved the Boxwood.  I have a few of the traditional, bright green boxwood shrubs in protected areas of my landscaping, as they don't always perform well in Michigan winters.  I did not trim them much this summer in anticipation of a holiday wreath to decorate my front door.  Thanksgiving day brought us fairly mild temperatures so I donned John's coziest flannel shirt, leather work gloves and grabbed my trusty Felco pruners.  I trimmed all of the stray growth off and gathered a couple arm fulls of cuttings. 

I had stopped at the craft store earlier in the month to pick up some wire wreath frames.  I paid about $3 and also purchased green florist wire on a flat spool. 

It's so simple to put together your own wreath.

1. Gather all greens using many different lengths.  You can use a variety of different greens, box 
2. Gather up frame, wire cutters or scissors and florist wire.
3. Take small, handful size bunches and hold next to wreath frame and using plenty of florist wire, wrap to secure.  
4. When adding a new bunch, place about 3 inches behind ends of previous bunch.  This way the wire is covered up by the ends of the branches already secured.
5. Look at your wreath hanging on the door. Trim off stray ends and add additional greens to fill any bare spots.
6. Decorate with berries, bulbs, ribbon for desired look.  

 



Enjoy! The boxwood dries out really quickly in the house, but will last about 3 months outside in Michigan.