Fresh Centerpiece for Christmas Dinner. . .

​Candles, Christmas greenery and fresh flowers greet the family as they gather around the table for Christmas Dinner.

You Will Need:

• Container – Determined By The Size Of Your Table
• Wet Foam
• Candles
• Christmas Greenery
• Pine Cones
• Filler Flowers ( ie. Pom-poms, Miniature Carnations, Etc.)
• #3 ( ¾”- 1”) Velvet Ribbon
• Floral Waterproof Tape For Container
• 4” Wood Picks
• Floral Wrap Tape

Before creating your arrangement, prep work would include allowing the fresh flowers to absorb water, and soaking the wet form, for at least 24 hours.  For best results add floral preservation to the water. 
Gather Christmas greenery from trimmings from Christmas tree lots if you are not using a fresh Christmas tree.  Most lots do not charge for excess branches, some may charge a minimal fee.
When choosing a container, use a non-descript container, such as a plastic cereal bowl.  An arrangement in this container can be inserted in a more elegant vase.  For instance, it would not be a good idea to fix an arrangement in Great-grandmother’s heirloom bowl.  But, gently placing an arrangement fixed in a safe container will protect the heirloom.  Also, the arrangement can be removed to add more water to increase the enjoyment of the arrangement without damaging the heirloom bowl.

Add floral foam to the container, by cutting the foam the size of the container.  The foam should rise above the container about 1 ½”.  Secure the foam to the container by using floral waterproof tape in a christcross pattern.  Add more water to the container.
Add candles to the arrangement. Add 4” wood picks to the base of a candle to secure the candle in the foam. Remove the wire from the wood pick. Using floral wrap tape, secure 2 wood picks to each candle.  Insert candles in the foam.

---

Begin the centerpiece by adding Christmas greenery to the foam.  Determine the shape of your arrangement.  Will it be round or oblong?  Determine this by the shape of the table. We had long tables. Set the shape of the centerpiece with the greenery. Place greenery along the rim of the container.  Remove needles from the end of the branches before placing them in the foam. Fill in the center of the foam, placing greenery no higher than halfway of the height of the candles.

---

I added ribbon to arrangements by simulating a bow in the greenery.  I do this in stages.  Remember for a centerpiece, it will be viewed from both sides.  Create a bow by cutting the bow in half.  Make 2 small similar bows. Secure then to wood picks with floral wrap. Add 1 bow to the centerpiece and place the 2nd bow on the opposite side of the arrangement. Create loops of bows by making a double loop of ribbon. Make the back loop taller than the front loop. Pinch the bottom of the loops and wrap wire from the wood pick around the ribbon. Secure with floral wrap. Make single loops of ribbon in the same manner.  Take a long piece of ribbon and fold it in half.  Pinch the fold and wrap wire from a wood pick around the fold.  Secure with floral wrap. Add the loops and streamers throughout the greenery creating the effect of enlarging the bows placed earlier.

---

Add pine cones to the arrangement. Place the pine cones to balance the bow.  Repeat on opposite side of the arrangement.

Finish by adding fresh flowers. Create depth by placing blooms close to the foam.  Add blooms of various heights making sure that no bloom is the same height as the one nearest.
​
Remember to keep the arrangement out of direct heat. Add water to your arrangement often.  Remove fresh flowers as they begin to fade.   Your arrangement of Christmas greenery should last for weeks.

Well, it’s been over 6 weeks since I started blogging.  What do you think?  These past few weeks have been intense because of the Christmas Holidays.  Did you find them informative?   Were the directions hard to follow?  Let me hear from you.  I would love to see any efforts that you attempted.