I’ve been particularly seasonal in spirit this year, given that its only dec 3rd. Christmas tree decorating yesterday, mince pies today, advent evensong tomorrow… I have also been getting busy with thrifty decor, making my usual wreath and fireplace garland from the wealth of wonderful foliage at Blackford Hill. I find the trick is to be bold and extravagant with your materials, abandoning the functional details in favour of simply applying precarious piles of whatever with fervour to any surface that happens to cross your path. This i learned from the two masters of the art, my mother and our neighbour elizabeth harty, both of whom have now sadly left us. But they leave behind an inheritance of exuberant decorating with foliage, exemplified most beautifully on many occasions at tullyroan methodist church. Though not always appreciated by the wider congregation at times, i have fond memories of such times, celebrating nature the way nature intended. In particular i recall a harvest service where the door to the vestry was entirely obscured by catoni aster and ivy. i think elizabeth may have been asked to prune that back a little at the time, perhaps by a well meaning minister requiring access to the hymn books.

Anyway, back to the wreaths. Start out with lots of lovely bags of inspiration.

I use some fir for the base, building up with holly and finishing with some boughs of berry.

Bend a wire hanger into a circle, and be ready with some garden wire and secateurs. 

Build up the fir base, then attach on the holly with the wire.

 I have dried these orange slices which make a nice addition to the wreath.

You can make a bow by stapling together some lengths of ribbon in the middle.

Here is the finished product in situ. Hopefully no-one will need to use the door knocker for a while.

Don’t forget to ply yourself with other seasonal goodies whilst creating christmas cheer. Note here my tasty mince pie, the first of the season. Looks like something from an M&S add, eh?