Birthday
HydrangeasCinnamon sticks, star anise and dried orange slices turn an ordinary bouquet into a cosy winter gift with a warm scent. These arrangements are especially lovely in the cold season and for the holidays. Here is which spices suit a bouquet, how to attach them and what to pair them with.
Winter bouquets: flower baskets and flowers in a box.
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Which spices to use
- Cinnamon — tie sticks in bundles of 3–5 with twine and mount them on wire.
- Star anise — glue the stars to cones or set them in the centre of the arrangement.
- Citrus — dried orange, lemon or grapefruit slices; a whole orange studded with cloves is a European Christmas classic.
- Vanilla — pods add a light sweet scent.
How to put it together
- Use evergreens (fir, pine), eucalyptus or warm-toned spray roses as the base.
- Mount spices on floral wire and insert them between the flowers like extra stems.
- Add cones, cotton, hypericum berries or dried flowers.
- Wrap in kraft paper or linen to underline the natural style.
Tips
- Make dried citrus slices at home: slice thinly and dry in a low oven for a few hours.
- If the recipient is allergic to spices or strong scents, choose other decor.
- Keep spices above the waterline — they should not touch the water.
More winter ideas: New Year flower arrangements and DIY coffee bean topiary.
FAQ
How long does the cinnamon scent last?
A few weeks; rubbing the sticks lightly refreshes it.
Can I cook with the cinnamon afterwards?
Better not: decor may have been in contact with glue, wire and dust.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
