 After Christmas, the Mardi Gras season begins. 2021 is going to be a different year! Due to the Pandemic, public Mardi Gras celebrations are cancelled. We are finding unique ways to observe the season! This is the first time I have decorated a tree for Mardi Gras. After Epiphany, Mardi Gras season begins and lasts until Ash Wednesday. The traditional Mardi Gras colors are green, gold and purple. The colors have a symbolic meaning. Green stands for faith, gold represents power, and purple symbolizes justice. Decorations are not limited to these colors. We decorate with bright colors of red, pink, yellow, blue and silver. I used garlands, masks, Fleur-de-Lis ornaments, Jester Hat, and miniature lights in Mardi Gras colors. A garland of foil decorations in purple, gold and green emphasizes the Mardi Gras motif. A gold foil garland adds dimension. I also used beaded garlands in silver. Ornaments are silver, gold, blue, purple, green, and iridescent. Small masks of white, silver, gold, and purple are mingled throughout the tree. The tree topper is a Jester’s Hat in Mardi Gras colors.
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 The container can change the arrangement. When choosing a container, the type of arrangement being created is important. Each arrangement contains one dozen roses, silver dollar eucalyptus, and limonium. Each arrangement is made to fit the vase!
An old rule of thumb for design is: One and a half times the height of the vase. This is a true rule. Imagine reversing the blooms in the vases. The tall stems in the bubble vase and the blooms in the rose vase. It is not a pretty sight! The stems in the bubble vase would keep falling. The stems would not have the support of the vase to hold the blooms. Also, the blooms would not last long because there would not be enough water in the vase. The blooms in the tall vase would look like they have no neck! It is surprising that the eye has expectations. The eye expects a tall building, but is stopped too soon by the missing stems. These designs enhance the blooms and the container. The bubble vase allows the blooms to fully fill the space. The tall vase shows off the beauty of the rose stem and leaves, and creates a framework for the blooms. This is a true rule!
Choosing fresh flowers can last through two seasons! Create an arrangement, in a liner, that can be switched to a different container that changes the holiday. This is the same arrangement in a different setting. The effect can change by changing the background. The pumpkin is the same. The Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween, and turn it around for Thanksgiving. Replace fall leaves for the black and orange accessories. Replace birds and squirrels for the witches. Add pine cones, berries, and fall leaves for ghosts.
Decorate for Halloween and easily change the setting, the day after, for Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving is the best time to start Holiday Decorating!
 Make Halloween elaborate for small groups in 2020! It’s time to gather the bright colored blooms and decorate for a Spooky time. In 2020, it is suggested to gather in smaller groups - if gathering at all! Just because the group is small, does not mean the festivities have to be. Decorate heavily! Add many places of small decorations. This corner has Jack-O- Lantern, tombstone, skull, and eyeballs filled with small blooms, lying in a bed of fall leaves. Bright and humorous settings can change atmosphere of any setting. Fall is filled with many aromas. The scent of flowers, fall leaves, and spices announce the beginning of the Holiday seasons. This year would be a great year to brighten the surroundings with different decorating.
 Different containers are needed for low centerpieces! Not all floral designs are in vases. Table centerpieces usually are low on the table so guests can see over the arrangement. I use floral foam to provide stability and nourish the blooms. Here are examples of containers I use for these situations. One example is to use a small plastic or glass bowl. I use this concept at Christmas for small centerpieces. The bowl completes the design element, but can be upgraded by placing the centerpiece in a more decorative container.  The other example is to use a plastic liner for the arrangement. These liners are sturdy and can be used with decorative containers or baskets. Find a liner that sits flatly in the container. Try not to have too much space between the liner and the container or basket, or too snug. Try not to destroy the liner if it needs to be removed. Cut a piece of floral foam to fit the liner.  Soak the foam until saturated. This may take overnight, depending on the type of foam used. After soaking the foam, place it in the liner and secure the liner with pieces of waterproof floral tape. Place the liner in the container or basket. If the liner is lower than the rim of the container, place a piece of styrofoam in the bottom of the container and place the liner on top.
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