Using Flowers
in Your Holiday Decor
By
Arleen M. Kaptur
We
all love to have our homes beautifully decorated
for the holidays. Using fresh flowers on your
holiday tables can be truly inspiring and colorful.
Whether you are entertaining holiday guests
or relaxing with your family, fresh flowers
will make your home festive and beautiful. Following
are some suggestions for creative flower arranging,
and tips to help your blooms last longer.
If you are making an arrangement in advance,
select compact blossoms that will open to full
beauty by the day of your party. Sprigs of pine,
spruce, evergreen, and juniper are appropriate
accents. Canella berries, decorative pods, pepper
berries, pinecones, feathers, and eucalyptus
are very festive.
Cut
rose stems diagonally under water at least
two inches from the end using a very sharp
knife. When stems are not cut underwater,
air bubbles form and prevent proper water
absorption. Snap the stems for mums. Remove
all leaves that will be under water or
in floral foam. This will lengthen the
life of your flowers. Mist blossoms gently
to keep them fresh longer.
Flowers
in three sizes make beautiful and symmetrical
arrangements. Beautiful additions include
greenery, berries, twigs, etc. Space flowers
evenly, inserting the largest variety
first. Keep balance on all sides. Fill
bare areas with smaller flowers. If using
floral foam, soak foam in water containing
flower food for 30 minutes before inserting
flowers. Secure the foam with floral tape.
Ribbons
add flair and distinction. A colorful
ribbon with flowing tails can give character
to your arrangement and holiday colors
will add beauty. Another holiday idea
is to use candlesticks on either side
of your arrangement.
Mums
last about ten days if properly cared
for, and carnations from seven to ten
days. Roses stay fresh and beautiful for
five to seven days, and lilies for seven
to ten days. In selecting your choice
of flowers, think color, fragrance, and
visual appeal. Use your creativity and
imagination and bouquets, and centerpieces
can be made that will add appeal and color
to your dining table.
Keep
cut flowers out of direct sunlight and
add fresh water daily. If some blooms
begin to lose their vitality, remove those
and insert others. Or, use extra greenery,
berries, feathers, and pinecones to fill
in the gaps.
Decorating
your home with flowers and greenery brings
life and beauty into each room and to
your table. ENJOY!
©Arleen
M. Kaptur 2002
Wishing you and all your loved ones a
truly memorable, enchanting, and totally
wonderful holiday season. Please subscribe
to our free holiday newsletters: e-mail
: akaptur@centurytel.net
Or visit visit: http://www.arleenssite.com
