Decorating & Design
Holiday Inspiration: 6 Fresh & Festive Ways To Use Natural Greenery
Published on December 11, 2019
If you flipped through our most recent holiday issues (or scrolled through our Pinterest), it would come as no surprise that we are crushing on natural greenery. There is something so understated yet elegant about a holiday home flocked with fresh garland. From mini Christmas trees made out of succulents to gifts adorned with sprigs and leaves, we dreamt up six unexpected ways to incorporate greenery into your holiday decorating.
1. More Is More
Multiples make for drama. Choose wreaths of different sizes that are made from various kinds of fresh greenery and add ribbon to personalize them even more. “Hanging a group of wreaths above a console, bench or credenza grounds the display,” says prop stylist Christine Hanlon. “And don’t be afraid to fill the whole wall — just place your hero wreath near the center of the arrangement.”
2. Moss Magic
For a captivating centerpiece, take a dried seedpod (or try driftwood or a vintage vessel) and gently fill the crevices with preserved moss — real moss that’s treated to look fresh indefinitely — to form an inspiring arrangement.
3. Green Light
Create an effortless holiday look by gathering a collection of clear vintage bottles, filling with water, adding bits of greenery and assembling on a mantel or windowsill. Top with candles in similar shades for a vignette with a cohesive vibe.
4. Organic Accents
Spruce up gifts by enhancing them with green clippings for a winsome dose of nature. Simply tuck individual sprigs, dried flowers or leaves underneath the ribbon of each present, switching up varieties as you go!
5. Pint-Size
Consider placing small succulent versions of your holiday tree around the house for an understated hit of charm. Make a tapered form out of wire mesh, fill with damp sphagnum moss, then add individual succulents, being sure to secure the plants with long pins. Place these “mini trees” in decorative bowls or vessels, and set atop a mantel or on your holiday table.
6. Green Lantern
A garland of greenery wrapped loosely around a lantern or chandelier is an unexpected accent in an entryway. It’s easy to create your own simply by tying together a few branches. Be sure to steer clear of the lightbulbs in your fixture!
Angus Fergusson
House & Home December 2019
Produced by Meg Crossley and Christine Hanlon