Birthday
HydrangeasMaking your own holiday decorations saves money and is a joy in itself: fresh conifer, pine cones, dried oranges and candles create a festive mood better than shop-bought ornaments. Here is how to make a conifer wreath, decorate windowsills and the table, and which natural materials to use.
Ready-made festive arrangements are available among our flower baskets and flower boxes.
Materials
- Conifer: spruce, fir, pine, thuja, juniper; fir holds its needles longest.
- Natural accents: pine cones, hypericum and holly berries, dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cotton stems, eucalyptus.
- Bases: willow or wire rings, floral foam, wooden trays, glass jars.
- Light: battery string lights and LED candles.
A DIY conifer wreath
Hang the wreath on the front door or a wall, or lay it on the table as the base for a candle arrangement. On a table, put candles in glass holders or use LEDs: dry conifer catches fire easily.
Decorating a windowsill
- String lights along the frame or in glass jars.
- Conifer branches, pine cones and mini potted trees.
- Paper snowflakes and stencilled patterns on the glass (washable paint).
- A tray arrangement: LED candles, branches and ornaments.
- A poinsettia or hippeastrum as a living, flowering accent.
The festive table
- A low centrepiece so guests can see each other.
- A runner of conifer with cones and candles.
- A sprig of spruce and a name card on each plate.
- Flowers in red or white — roses, carnations, chrysanthemums with greenery.
Dried oranges: quick and pretty
Slice oranges 5–7 mm thick, blot them and dry in the oven at 70–90 °C for 2–4 hours, turning them over. Use them in wreaths, garlands, gift wrapping and on the tree — they smell of citrus and keep for months.
Safety
- Keep open flames away from dry conifer and paper.
- Keep conifer decor away from radiators — it dries out quickly.
- If you have cats, avoid tinsel, mistletoe and holly: they are dangerous if swallowed.
FAQ
How long does a fresh conifer wreath last?
3–4 weeks in a cool place with regular misting; fir lasts longer than spruce.
Which conifer is best?
Fir, pine, thuja or juniper — they shed less than spruce.
How do I attach decorations to a wreath?
With florist wire, a glue gun (for cones and dried items) or wooden picks.
View full-size photo
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.
