Think Green for Christmas Décor…literally!

Most always, I find nature as my inspiration for arrangements and décor, thus green becomes my “MO” for all things fresh, natural, and beautiful. Green is nature’s neutral - found in different hues and shades in every wood, vale, forest and dale! Here are a few tips on “thinking green” for the Holidays and year round decorating as well!

I always like to have a green base to build from when making an arrangement, tablescapes, or even holiday décor. Choose your greenery wisely – it will be your support and skeleton, your contrasting tone, and your “roux” that brings the arrangement together.

Use what is in season…for the Holidays, I like the traditional greens like holly, boxwood, cypress, cedar, and magnolia. Add some pizzazz by contrasting shades of green like the dark of the holly and magnolia (use those velvety brown backs as well), lighter green from cypress and blue greens from cedar or junipers.

Start with a good base and build from there…be sure your room, mantel, table or whatever you’re decorating is clean and ready to be gussied up. When a room is “done well,” then a less-is-more approach with greenery is good. A well thought out scheme of green and white or green and red for Christmas can go a long way. Let your decorations complement, not compete, with your décor.

Plan on a double shift with fresh greenery. If you are having “the hanging of the greens” right after Thanksgiving, then plan on freshening up your montage of nature’s bounty closer to Christmas proper. I like to deck the hall around the second week of December and freshen up Christmas week. Remember that roaring fire and constant heat will dry out everything fairly quickly.

Apples, limes, pears, etc. etc. etc…these are all green and look great as a “green on green” palette in most any home. I love a dose of that Williamsburg look, so pomegranates, red apples, oranges, and pineapples also make wonderful accents for the holiday tableau.

If you’re hosting a gathering or party, maybe use a few stems of fresh floral specimens as an accent…white lilies (‘Casa Blanca’ or ‘White Mountain’ are fabo!) , red roses (Charlotte is a good one), and any seasonal color floral stem mixed with greenery and berries from the garden is good looking!

Potted plants with their own greenery are a hit! Paperwhites, amaryllis, Christmas Cactus, and cyclamen. There’s nothing sweeter than a beautiful plant in a pretty pot…terra cotta, balled and burlapped, tied with some raffia, ribbon, or string…yeah…these are a few of my favorite things!

While thinking green, look up! Your chandelier or a big wreath on a big mirror is always a fun addition to the Christmas décor…sometimes that unexpected touch or attention to detail is just what you and your guests will remember from your soiree!

Bottom line…have fun! Have fun dashing through the snow and over the rivers and through the woods gathering your Christmas greenery. Invite some friends or family and make a night of it.