Designing a natural Christmas
With one week to go, I just wanted to pop in and wish you all a happy, festive season and share some natural, Christmas decorative ideas I’ve been creating.
I instantly feel like the season has begun when I make my first wreath. I put mine up on December 1st, but often change it half way through the month. Drying oranges is a seasonal tradition. The aroma as they dry in the oven is irresistible and I love the bright glow amongst the winter foliage. This year I’m using this rich russet velvet ribbon from Bertie and Fred.
I always imagine that I’ll fill the house with an abundance of natural, seasonal foliage with all kinds of swags, wreaths and wild, woodland mantle designs. It’s such an inspiring time of year for foraging and gathering foliage, berried ivy, bracken, larch twigs and dried stems saved from summer. Like everyone else, I end up running out of time and daylight with all the shopping, wrapping and multitude of other tasks that creep up (like the car MOT…why does that always happen in December)! So again, it’s up in to the attic and out with all the lovely, sentimental decorations gathered over the years. Yes, there will be a natural wreath on the door and a table centrepiece hastily thrown together on Christmas eve. Lots of candles and twinkling lights.
An Advent chandelier
Earlier in the month, I did find some time to create and photograph some seasonal, floral decoration ideas. They won’t last till Christmas because they were made so far in advance. For me it’s about creating content and inspiration to share on Instagram and Pinterest over the festive season.
I mossed up a ring and filled it with larch, ivy, garden foliage (oleaster and pittosporum are a favourite for this time of year), dried honesty, strawflowers, amaranthus, limonium and fronds of Spanish moss. This is an advent calander, but I didn’t get round to the candle part! They could very easily be pinned in to the moss though.
A festive Chandelier
This decoration was created from an old wire thrift shop find. A metal chandelier covered in moss and decorated with garden foliage, berries, hips and crab apples.
I’m loving these skinny, natural beeswax candles this season. I’ve stuck them in to mini vintage pastry tins perfect for dotting around the Christmas table. I keep the candles in the fridge or somewhere cold and then they don’t burn too fast.
I do hope your Christmas is merry and bright and filled with all the lovely things that make your heart sing. If like me you plan to set aside some time for photography then you can read my tips on embracing winter light here.
With love and best wishes for the New Year.
Janne x
