Decorating for the Holidays: Floral Flair

Floral decorating -- for any season -- is a nationally developing trend. Flowers are aesthetically attractive, fragrant, colorful, and add natural beauty. And the social activities and celebratory mood that signify the arrival of the holiday season present an excellent opportunity for showcasing your home with flowers. Here are a few ideas from FTD that will give your home and table the freshest finishing touch for your holiday celebrations.

Decorate your Christmas tree with flowers

In addition to traditional ornaments, give your fresh or faux evergreen tree an original look by arranging miniature vases with sprigs of fresh flowers among the branches. If you are saving your money for holiday shopping, take a look at your own traditional ornaments and convert them into miniature floral vases. For a simpler approach, visit your local FTD florist for floral waterpics that will keep your flowers fresh for days. Waterpic the flower stems and simply poke them among your tree’s branches using strong florals with a crisp, wintery look such as roses, carnations, and Fuji mums.

Design a table to complement your holiday meal

An attractive centerpiece has long been a holiday tradition. Visit your local FTD Florist for popular centerpiece styles to fit your seasonal décor. If this year’s holiday table is balancing a larger crowd and smaller floral pieces may better fit your table, try small flower-filled glass vases placed at intervals up and down the table. Or try single or dual color schemes in each small vase such as bundles of tightly knit carnations in fall colors, or roses or mums. These festive displays will be easy to maneuver among serving pieces and promote lively conversation.

Other creative and elegant table ideas include creating a colorful pattern of petals or blooms down the center of the table, acting as a floral runner. Or bring the fresh smell of the holidays to the table with a bough of evergreen in a clear bowl among floating candles for an elegant ambiance.

Create a holiday tone in your home

When you take floral decorating beyond the tree and the table, there are three “must haves” that will combine to truly radiate a sense of holiday cheer. Always welcome your guests with a fresh wreath on the door or a floral masterpiece in the foyer. Flanking the entranceway with flowers sets the tone and mood for the rest of your home. Of course you must not forget the importance of the mantle. Lovely garland or pine boughs interspersed with candles will do wonders to complement the shape and important function of the fireplace as a place where families gather. The chandelier is often forgotten, but can also be highlighted with vines, berries or pine boughs to carry the theme.

If you need help planning your seasonal décor, take photos of key areas of your home to your local FTD Florist or bring in your napkins for color complementing.