Tag: Christmas

Favorite Things: Holiday Flowers

For dressing up your own home for the holidays or as a hostess gift, nothing makes people smile like fresh flowers.

For dressing up your own home for the holidays or as a hostess gift, nothing makes people smile like fresh flowers.  The holidays are a great time to year to add flowers to your decor, whether you use them to add cheer to the mantle or the dining room table.  You don’t have to stick with a red and green theme — instead, think white, purple, and green.  Rustic elements like branches, pine cones, berries, and luscious greenery also evoke the season.   Here are some of my favorite examples of holiday flower arrangements.

From Winston Flowers, Greenwich
From Winston Flowers, Greenwich
By Rikky Snyder Photography
By Rikky Snyder Photography
From McCardles, Greenwich
From McCardles, Greenwich
By Carolyn Roehm
By Carolyn Roehm
By Bunny Williams
By Bunny Williams
By Aerin Lauder
By Aerin Lauder
From Winston Flowers, Greenwich
From Winston Flowers, Greenwich
From McCardles, Greenwich
From McCardles, Greenwich
By Carolyn Roehm
By Carolyn Roehm
By Aerin Lauder, via Veranda
By Aerin Lauder, via Veranda

 

 

Favorite Things: Holiday Mantels

Few things sum up the holiday spirit like a beautifully decorated mantel hung with stockings and lit up by a cozy fire in the fireplace.

Few things sum up the holiday spirit like a beautifully decorated mantel hung with stockings and lit up by a cozy fire in the fireplace.  Mantel decorations can be simple or extravagant.  Mix in different elements with traditional greenery.  You can make it playful and try something different each year.  I like to use real flowers and unusual greenery such as magnolia leaves, nothing artificial, to give the mantel more substance and make it truly special.

1.  This mantel uses white dishes and greenery for a classic, simple look.

2. An abundance of greenery looks fantastic!

3.  I love the idea of hanging a wreath on a mirror over the mantel.

4.  Mixed greenery and fruit create a fresh, lovely mantel.

5. Magnolia leaves make a substantial wreath.  Varying candle heights add interest to the greenery and pine cones.

6.  Sweeping swags of evergreens and a large wreath make the mantel a dramatic focal point.

Holiday Wrapping

It’s always nice to receive a gift, but when that gift is carefully wrapped in a special way, the recipient can’t help but but feel spoiled!

I love wrapping presents for Christmas!  Putting together wrapping papers with coordinating bows and accents is like designing on a smaller scale.  There are so many thoughtful and beautiful ways to wrap presents with nearly endless options for colors, patterns, and accessories like ribbons and bows.  It’s always nice to receive a gift, but when that gift is carefully wrapped in a special way, the recipient can’t help but but feel spoiled!

A craft box layered with a fun wrap and simple red ribbon always looks custom.
Elegant use of two complimentary papers and greenery with the ribbon.
Very sweet wrapping paper for kids.
Owls in trees wrapping paper — adorable.

Adding just the right touch with decorative details is another way to create an especially beautiful gift.  Think of what you can add to the ribbon or bow to further dress up the present.  It can be something festive or personal, colorful or classic.  When you take the time to wrap the gift with extra thought and care, you show the person you give it to that they are worth the extra effort.

Berries and holly – a great addition to the ribbon.
Use a great tag with calligraphy writing.
I love the idea of mixing the metallic paper with pine cones and branches.

For me, gift wrapping is all about the presentation!  Do you have a favorite paper or embellishment for wrapping Christmas gifts?