Christmas Arrangement How to

We're firm believers that an  arrangement is 80% what you use, and 20% how you do it!  So even if you make a complete disaster, the right combination of stems can make you look like a master designer!  And no combination of items prove this easier than classic Christmas!  The truth is long needle pine, cedar, and magnolia leaf will never lead you wrong!  So much so, that we call them together the Holy Trinity of Evergreen!  For Christmas, if you start with those 3 items, you can then add other stems or pieces to take it different directions!  Here we're going to show you step by step how Jeremy makes a beautiful low arrangement with Holy Trinity, and then adds a couple of other pieces!

Step 1) Cut the foam to fit the container, and cover with sheet moss.  We use h pins to help hold in place.  You don't have to use a ton of them because the stems you push in will also help hold the moss in place.  Designer tip: We use sheet moss to hide the foam because it helps use less flowers in creating an arrangement.  If you have an open space or area where you see the foam (uncovered), you have the instinct to fill until you don't see it. Where as if you see the sheet moss, it's more pleasing to your eye and looks more finished and you don't feel that you need to add more.

 

Step 2) Long Needle Pine!  Jeremy is using the larger pine stem to make this arrangement and cuts them to make smaller pieces.  Why do that instead of just using the smaller pine stem?  He wanted the pinecones to be an integral piece of the arrangement, and the larger stem of pine has bigger pinecones!  He starts out by creating the overall shape of the arrangement, by defining the top and sides.  Chances are the pine will be the stem that comes out farthest from the container, so this is a great way to establish shape.  He used 3 x 30" stems of pine.

 

Step 3) Add Magnolia Leaf!  We love these stems so much for a few reasons, they are very realistic looking!  The fill up a lot of space in an arrangement.  And they are wired so you can completely manipulate the shape!  I'm sure we could go on about our love for our magnolia leaf, but we'll spare you today!  As mentioned, it's important to share the magnolia leaf!  Take your time and fluff them open!  It's amazing what a difference in makes, and don't be afraid to see the underside of them.  It's part of the beauty too!  You can see these REALLY fill in some space!  He used 4 x magnolia leaf stems.

 

Step 4) Add Cedar Stems!  Following the shape that you created with the pine, continue the same shape.  You can cut the stems to create multiple pieces, probably 2 out of each stem max.  He used 3 x Cedar stems.

Honestly, you could stop here...but we want to add little metallic gold and some berries!

 

Step 5)  Gold Bayleaf!  These are one of our favorite stems to add a little gold metallic detail, without making sometime feel like Liberace himself made it!  Here Jeremy cuts each stem into 2 pieces and uses them following the shape started at the beginning.  He used 2 x gold bayleaf stems.

 

Step 6) Variegated Holly.  We carry lots of berries for the holidays because they are great ways to add some color into arrangements, swags, trees, and etc.   But our variegated holly stem is probably our most favorite...even though it's one of the smallest stems.  The variegated foliage mixed with the red berries add so much to an arrangement!  You see, the pine, cedar, and magnolia are very textural and layered because they are different shapes and lengths...by adding the variegated leaf on top of the textures...you create instant art! At least in our mind!  He used 3 x variegated berries.

 

And there you have it!  An easy, yet beautiful combo!  Imagine this on a coffee table, console, dining, etc!  You can't get any more classic than this!  And it will always have our heart!  The question is though, did we get a passing grade?  ;)