The nights are
drawing in and the garden year is coming to an end.
We have put our gardens to bed, lawns have been
fed and weeded, borders cut back, bulbs planted,
just tulips left to plant - they are best planted
in November. We have cheered ourselves up with some
colourful winter flowering pansies and can now turn
our thoughts to Christmas! a time of celebration
for family and friends.
Decorating our homes is all part
of the joy of Christmas, it can be as simple or
extravagant as we wish; a basket of pine cones,
containers filled with holly, ivy and greenery from
the garden looks good. These days decorations come
in so many colours so you can theme these with your
own colour scheme.
Outdoor lights become more popular
each year, coloured or clear, on trees or round
the house they a give a welcome glow. A door ring
or a pomander decorated with bows and baubles make
a pretty sight at the doors to our homes. If you
have standard bays or hollies they look attractive
with some small bows put through them.
Candles are always useful and
give a lovely feel to the festive rooms, a word
of warning though – don’t leave candles
unattended. Church candles of different heights
displayed on a pretty dish, scented candles such
as ‘Winterberry’, ‘Spiced Apple’
and ‘Cinnamon’ all add a warm scent
to any room; use dinner candles tall and elegant
in your table arrangements, these can be fresh or
silk. Fill them with some baubles, berries and maybe
a ribbon.
Garlands can be used over doors,
down staircases or on mantlepieces, cram them full
of cones, berries, dried fruits such as oranges,
cinnamon sticks, lotus heads, roses, baubles and
ribbons. Garlands can be both artificial or fresh.
For a fresh mantle swag use an oasis tray with a
block of wet oasis and fill with greenery.
One thing I haven’t mentioned
is the Christmas tree, look out for next month’s
‘Notes from the Potting Shed’ when Sue
and I will be giving some ideas for decorating the
tree.
Just time for me to make one
advent ring, the countdown begins.
A happy and peaceful Christmas
to one and all.
Carole
November 2008
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