Holiday Decor Workshop

Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of participating in a Holiday Decor workshop hosted by my dear friend, Carol Newcomb. Carol and her husband, Terry, own Northland Rosarium in southwest Spokane County.

Several other folks joined in and our goal was to create some festive holiday decor for our homes and front porches, primarily using natural materials from our gardens.

This is something I absolutely love doing each year because the results are always so delightful and there’s minimal cost involved.

Carol provided trimmings from her boxwoods (including a variegated boxwood that is very cool), curly willow, redwood, pines, spruces, firs, red-twig dogwood, cedars, arbor-vitae, yews, hollies and junipers. Several of us also brought along clipped branches of other types of shrubs and trees.

Carol also surprised us by giving everyone the materials needed to make beautiful holiday centerpieces. Thank you, Carol! But it didn’t stop there: she shared holiday ribbon and florist’s wire so everyone would have what they needed. (oh, and she also fed everyone soup, hors d’oevres, cookies, tea and coffee!)

To make a centerpiece (see Carol’s photo down below), you just need a waterproof container that doesn’t have drainage holes, pre-moistened florist’s oasis cut to size, 2 small candle-holders, and then all types of greenery filled in around them. They are quick and easy to make but look so attractive.

My goals for the workshop were to make a wreath, a holiday container using my galvanized ribbed planter from Gardener’s Supply (see photo at left; I absolutely love it!) and a swag for one of our gates. You can also see my balsam fir wreath (which was made from a neighbor’s Christmas tree prunings!) and my picket planters, which are filled with fir and cedar branches and sparkly decorative fruits. Now I really feel like our home is dressed up for the holidays!

 

 

 

 

The following photos show some of the wonderful creations everyone made, just to give you some ideas. Remember that you can click on any of the photos to view a larger image. And if you love this workshop idea, consider hosting one of your own. It is great fun and you get to decorate your home for the holidays afterwards with one-of-a-kind items!