The word Christmas comes from Christes Maesse, the old English form of the Mass of Christ first found in 1308, and although we have since borrowed and adapted many ideas from other lands, some of which had pagan origin, Christmas is celebrated all over the World today by all peoples, all faiths and creeds. This includes the use of Christmas flower arrangements.
It is a time of giving, with no thought of receiving and in expressing our thanks, we can make our decorations gay or with a religious motif, as we think fit.
Red, green and white are the traditional colours for Christmas decorations, although today all kinds of coloured and shiny bobbles add delight and gaiety to the scene.
How To Choose Your Christmas Flower Arrangements
Heavy green arrangement tends to make a room appear smaller, while small rooms can be given an air of space and light by arrangements of white-washed branches and seed heads and ribbon. Lighted candles arranged in windows with the blinds left undrawn can spread the spirit of goodwill to all who pass by, just as a door arrangement, made by sticking pieces of yew and other greenery into a large potato and hung with a red ribbon, can bid welcome to all who enter.
A few ideas are depicted on the following pages, but whether our arrangements are made gay or symbolic, I feel we should remember the true meaning of Christmas in all we do, say or think, and give thanks.
This Christmas scene was made with Alabastine in an old tin tray. First brush over the branch with a weak solution of this plaster filler, fixing the branch to the base of the tray with Plasticine wedged between stones. Next place some stones or oddly shaped pieces of cotton wool to form an uneven surface in the tray and cover the whole with a thicker mixture oft he plaster. When nearly set add a little greenery at the left and the figure of an animal will complete the picture.
Whitewashed Broom will give a gay swish to a Christmas arrangement. Here it is used in a narrow necked black vase, whilst colour was obtained by the addition of shiny coloured hobbles placed near the rim backed with whitewashed Rhododendron leaves.
The dull beige colour of Teasels are not very effective for gay arrangements, but dipped in whitewash they assume a festive appearance. Here they are used in a low design, the base of which was strengthened by Rhododendron fronds and colour was increased by the addition of red hobbles.
Sprays of Pine swished through whitewash made the outline of another gay scene. Fir cones were wired on to sticks and placed low in the design while the tray was filled with plaster on which finally rested the small deer.
These leaves were brushed over with glue and then sprinkled with diamante glitter. The Ivy leaf veins were done in the same manner and the whole material was firmly held on a heavy pin holder. Cones formed the central interest of this buffet table arrangement which would also be suitable for a silver wedding design.
Greenery, sprinkled with glitter made this attractive table centrepiece, while red flower like candles added extra sparkle. Cones wired to false stems were added each side. The material was held by crumpled wire netting.
By stripping some of the needles from sprays of Pine, some interesting shapes can be achieved. Two branches are here placed in a yellow plate with a group of cones as focal interest.
Dramatic swerves were achieved by these whitened Cycas leaves. Next in order of creation came green Rhododendron leaves followed by three bright red paper Rhododendron heads. A further point in this design was the addition of whitened ears of Wheat, whilst more leaves were tucked in at the back to cover the wire.
This Christmas buffet table was arranged with three sherry bottles into which bright candles were fixed. These were held firm by a ring of Plasticine into which was inserted sprigs of Yew and berried Holly. Yellow Gourds and Ivy were grouped at the base.
