Holiday flowers should feel naturally festive, not fussy. They should flourish through the season, glow in candlelight and look just as splendid on day ten as they did on day one {or even better!} That’s why I always return to my splendid 3-step process to make bouquets for any season. These simple guidelines will allow you to create something spectacular for your abode with ease.
This formula works for any sized arrangement but today I want to make something big and grand, so I pulled out this great old silver trophy that I’m planning on placing in our family room.
The first step is greenery, which is a very easy choice this time of year. Rich green, fragrant evergreens create a base and develop the tone and structure for the bouquet. I like to use at least 3 different types of greenery to create a complex, natural look. Trim off any branches that will fall below the water line to use in other projects. This will allow the branches to drink more water and lower the chance of bacterial growth. Use the branches to define the bouquet’s shape and scale, letting them drape gracefully over the edge of the vessel.
Next step is the floral element. For the holidays my go~to is Casa Blanca lilies. Their tall stems and generous blooms rise above the greenery beautifully. They’re glamorous at every stage—from tight green bud to fully unfurled bloom—and wonderfully long-lasting. Their lines are elegant and luminous and the fragrance is ethereal.
The third and final step is to add a little whimsy, something unpredictable. This gives the bouquet a unique look and a delighting element of surprise. I was positively mesmerized by these gorgeous eucalyptus pods. Look at that incredible blue and green marbling… it really just astonishes me what mother nature creates for us.
I love how the hard, glossy pods add weight to the branches, giving them a naturally graceful droop.
Also, in keeping with holiday traditions some jolly holly for the pop of red berries and shiny pointy leaves.
And there you have it, a beautiful display for you and yours to enjoy throughout the season.
The fun thing about this 3-step process is its flexibility. Swap in different greens, try amaryllis or long~stem roses instead of lilies, and add berries, branches, feathers or ribbons depending on your mood. The formula stays the same—and it always works.
You can remove the stamens with a wet paper towel {best to wear gloves to protect your hands from staining yellow.}
If a bloom does fade you can just pop it off.
You can also replace the whole lily stem if needed, the evergreens will prevail.
Okay, the flowers are done, now I just need to wrap some gifts!!
Happy arranging.
