Beside your dining table
A simple foliage wreath suspended from a blank wall beside your dining table (above) sets the festive tone almost instantly. An artwork is often already the star of this wall space so, just for Christmas, swap the artwork for an oversized wreath – just hang it from the existing wall hook. To make: you can buy large wire hoops from craft stores, then use twine or fishing line to secure branches of blue-green eucalyptus to the hoop.
Above your dining table
Create an intimate scene at your Christmas table by suspending a foliage wreath – made from softly scented pine branches – above your dining table. You can use wire or heavy-gauge fishing line to hang the wreath from ceiling hooks. If you wish, add flameless candles to the wreath to turn it into a fabulous chandelier.
On a side table
Turn a regular side table into a chic display piece by adorning it with a wreath made of succulents – real or faux. To replicate this idea with real succulents, look for wreaths made of florist's foam, then add the cuttings to the dampened foam. You can add moss, air plants and dried tree branches, too. Push four white pillar candles (held in small holders) into the foam, evenly spaced apart. Display the finished wreath throughout the season – just keep the foam moist with a misting of water provided by a regular spray bottle.
On your place settings
In need of an unusual table decorating idea? Place small handmade foliage wreaths on each guest's table setting. You can make these with any foliage cuttings you like (off to the back garden with you!) then add a ribbon bow at the top. Any type of box or buxus will give a similar look to this. For an extra special touch, you can add a small name tag to each wreath, too.
In your hallway
The entryway to your home is a fabulous spot to create a Christmas-themed vignette, and a collection of foliage wreaths – made by you – are a wonderful starting point for the display. To get the look, make a collection of five wreaths, each of a different diameter. Use native or hardy foliage from your garden (or purchase branches from your local florist and tie them to willow wreaths from crafts stores). Keep the wreaths held together with twist ties, cable ties or twine, then use brown craft twine to suspend four of them from a piece of driftwood or dried tree branch. You could also hang them from your wall-mounted coat rack! Place the fifth wreath beside your hallway table – right after you've styled it beautifully with a well-curated Christmas collection.
On internal doors
Why should your front door be the only door to benefit from the joy a wreath brings? Hang a pretty wreath from an internal door, too! Or even on the side of a large dresser or cabinet. To mimic this look, spray paint a natural wreath using white paint. Once dry, attach sprigs of natural or faux foliage to the bottom. Hang a couple of decorations from the op of the wreath – sitting just above a cute little toy reindeer. The kids will love this one!
On your fence
Take your Christmas decorating outdoors with this fabulous idea – simply suspend a growing wreath from a fence in your garden! As with the succulent wreath featured earlier, you need to push the succulent cuttings into dampened florist's foam or a wreath formed of bird wire, lined with geotextile fabric and filled with potting mix. The trick is to leave the wreath on a flat, horizontal surface so that the roots take hold before hanging the wreath vertically. Then, you can add Spanish moss to adorn this beauty – and you can enjoy it all year round.
On the shed door
If you're lucky enough to have a sweet little shed or gorgeous guesthouse in your garden, adorn the door with a simple round of pine, or similar stunning foliage. It's these simple touches that will bring a smile to your face all season long.
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