HOLIDAY CHILL

When it comes to making our homes beautiful for the holidays, we all harbor secret dreams of being Martha – lovingly laboring over the perfect place card. Painstakingly crafted in every detail. But let’s get real. Most of us are more like last minute Mary’s = suddenly realizing we have nothing to put in the center of our Christmas table and we’re hoping the same old red candles will give it the holiday feel.

Well, not to worry! Our own multi-tasking woman and maker of Festive Finery, Mary Plumstead, is our rescue. We caught up with her as she shared how you can “MAKE A BOLD BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT IN MOMENTS – FOR FAR LESS THAN YOU THINK!’ Now that’s holiday Magic!

‘Like you, I was out of time, energy and ideas and had invited a dozen people for a buffet dinner. What was I thinking?  (I wasn’t) I knew our guests would be expecting something special since I was ‘in the flower business’, but our product cupboards were bare – we’d shipped everything out weeks before. So, with no time to spare, I made my planned trip to the grocery store and added a dozen green apples and 6 red roses to my shopping list.

When I got home, I clipped some branches from our magnolia tree and some pine greenery as well, (though just magnolia branches would work just fine.)  I had an old – and a bit worn out – 6 foot artificial green garland, so I grabbed, along with some ribbon and a few red ornaments – right off the tree! (I bet you’ve got at least six or seven plain glass or plastic ornaments that you don’t think are ‘good enough’ to go on the tree anymore – well, hang on!).

I had glitter and a can of spray glue on hand, so I rounded those up as well – (Spray glue? You’re thinking, oh, no, another trip to the store, but you can just as easily use sugar sprinkled over a light application of egg white and water.)

I ‘snaked’ the artificial garland down the middle of the table (they make GREAT holiday table runners!) and following the path of the garland, I tucked magnolia branches in here and there. Then, I lightly sprayed the apples, roses and ornaments with craft glue, sprinkled them with glitter and added them to the garland (nothing was glued in or wired on – just tucked them in place!) And voila! Instant table décor that would do even Martha proud!

It became my favorite table centerpiece – and our guests loved it. Over the years, I’ve added to this idea by tucking votive candles in here and there to follow the line of the garland.  Or, you can even add a string or two of tiny white battery operated lights. (The batteries are easy to conceal in the foliage.)

Here’s the ‘recipe’ to make your own simply elegant – and elegantly simple -Rose & Apple Table Runner:

• One 6’ -9’ green garland (real or artificial)

• 8-12 green apples (pears work well, too – or mix them up for variety

• 6-8 real or artificial red flowers (preferably roses)
• 4-8 glass or plastic ‘ball’ Christmas Tree Ornaments
• Magnolia leaves and branches (real or artificial) or any other greenery you like and can find handy
• About 3 yards of Ribbon – approx 3 yards
• Any glue that dries clear (for glitter) OR 1 egg white mixed with 2 tbs of water (if you’re using sugar)

If using real roses, cut the stems to about 3-5 inches and place immediately into lukewarm water – these go on at the last minute.

Snake the 6’ garland down the center of the table to form the outline and the base of the centerpiece.

Tuck in magnolia branches to follow the line of the garland so it looks like a true magnolia and pine garland.  Lightly spread either craft glue or egg white mix on the fruit, edges of roses and ornaments and sprinkle with glitter or sugar. Let dry for 5-10 minutes before adding them to the centerpiece.

(What? You don’t have any eggs OR any glue? Try a very light application of hairspray – but you have to work fast and get that glitter or sugar on immediately after you spray.  And, if you use hairspray as the adhesive, make sure you let it ‘air out’ for at least a half hour before adding to the table piece. No need to ruin those wonderful food aromas with the scent of ‘Eau de AquaNet’!)

Tuck the ribbon in to follow the path of the garland. Add the roses last, wrapping each stem in a bit of moistened paper towel and plastic wrap to keep them moist –and your tabletop dry!

Put your feet up. Relax. And enjoy your beautiful centerpiece. …You’ve got plenty of time before the guests arrive….

Here are a couple of great tips for making the most of your ribbon:

1. Making bows is something people seem to have a knack for – or not. If you’re in the ‘not’ category, if you can get the basic loops made, but can’t make them stay put, staple the loops together in the center.  Hide the staple with a ribbon streamer.

1. If artfully weaving ribbon through your wreath leaves you frustrated and disappointed, try this:

• Add the bow first
• Cut the ribbon you’ll use for weaving throughout the garland into 4 pieces.
• Then weave in one piece at a time, making each piece look like it is a continuation of the prior piece.
• Once you have the look you want, lightly glue the ribbon ends in place – and always cover the glue with an ornament or a cluster of berries.

Perfection!

Meet Mary Plumstead.

PS Oh, and if you need a last minute but elegant wreath for the front door? Use the same technique with a plain green wreath, a hot glue gun some light weight ornaments and that oh-so-glistening glitter!