Do you remember that scene from the movie ELF? The one where Buddy (the ELF) decorates the store, Gimbels - Hammering down snow blankets, snipping tactfully folded paper that open out to be the most intricate of snowflakes, wrapping twinkly lights on everything that would allow it... Well if this is you in December perhaps our little DIY could be of some help!
A nice place to start to look for little bits and bobs to add to the decor is your very own, all natural and completely FREE of CHARGE back garden.
Channel your inner ELF and get decorating!
A nice place to start to look for little bits and bobs to add to the decor is your very own, all natural and completely FREE of CHARGE back garden.
Channel your inner ELF and get decorating!
Sparkles - the branch
These branches seem to be on trend this Christmas! Every where thats anywhere that has a decoration up has a fancy sparkly branch somewhere in the mix. I completely see the appeal! Fill my whole house with them and we will have what I can imagine to only be one FABulous christmas! But here is the thing... (or maybe its just me) they are ridiculously OVER-PRIC£££D! Perhaps angels made them - is the only conclusion I can think of but in any case I am sure we can save some pennies and still be Fabulous.
| You will need: - A set of Loppers (or gardeners who will happily carry out this task for you. If they don't perhaps it is time to change gardeners!) - An assortment of branches - Sandpaper - Silver spray paint - white / silver glitter- optional - Protective surface cover - PVA glue - Brushes - And time to spare of course! |  |
Layout the protective surface - crack a window (the spray paint and the glue may hit you a little funny)
Remove leaves from the branch till it is completely bare and smooth out its surface. Spray with silver spray paint. Allow to dry. You can say the big Ta-Da! here or continue for more sparkle.
Brush PVA Glue and sprinkle glitter to your liking. Cover it with sparkle or just a light dusting it is totally up to you! and Ta-Da!
If you still feel your Ta-Da is premature try hanging silver baubles from the tree! Or maybe even try sticking rhinestones or sequins on the branches for that extra zazzle!
Ta-Da!
Remove leaves from the branch till it is completely bare and smooth out its surface. Spray with silver spray paint. Allow to dry. You can say the big Ta-Da! here or continue for more sparkle.
Brush PVA Glue and sprinkle glitter to your liking. Cover it with sparkle or just a light dusting it is totally up to you! and Ta-Da!
If you still feel your Ta-Da is premature try hanging silver baubles from the tree! Or maybe even try sticking rhinestones or sequins on the branches for that extra zazzle!
Ta-Da!
I-VY your best friend
Ivy is just terrific for christmas! With its long draping qualities you are able to change almost every plain surface to a christmassy one! You can use an Ivy arrangement in various locations around the house to bring not just a christmas feel but also a romantic vibe through this holiday season, and whats even more amazing is that Ivy will last you the whole 12 days of christmas without shrivelling and dying on you. So practice your "Oh you like it? I did it myself" expression to sound as humble as possible...
| You will need: - IVY long strands preferably (again, ask your gardener!) - Silver spray paint - optional - Glitter - optional - Protective surface cover - Wire - Blu-tack or plasticine - Accesories |  |
Layout protective cover, crack a window and spray from a distance. While the spray paint is still frothing you can sprinkle with glitter. If you would like a more rustic feel you can skip this step as hanging the Ivy in its natural state will still make for a gorgeous display.
Using wire and blu-tack arrange your display of ivy. Allow it to fall over the sides of the fire place. Decorate with bows or ribbon. Place either candles in between or perhaps some berries and pine cones you plucked from the garden. Cinnamon sticks wrapped in ribbon or even oranges with cloves stuck into them...the possibilities are endless so let your creativity take flight! If you don't have IVY you can choose an array of leaves from your garden as a substitute and they will still look beautiful!
Using wire and blu-tack arrange your display of ivy. Allow it to fall over the sides of the fire place. Decorate with bows or ribbon. Place either candles in between or perhaps some berries and pine cones you plucked from the garden. Cinnamon sticks wrapped in ribbon or even oranges with cloves stuck into them...the possibilities are endless so let your creativity take flight! If you don't have IVY you can choose an array of leaves from your garden as a substitute and they will still look beautiful!
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So much christmas so little space!
The dinning table! Probably the most important setting in this production called Christmas... You have x by x surface area to work with and after some intense mathematical formulas and calculations you assign area for the place mats, the serving plate, the plate, the drinks, the cutlery, the glasses, more glasses (wine / champagne / that awkward can of beer), napkins, more napkins (for clumsy Uncle Carl and his beer), pointy elbows, nudgy elbows, chubby elbows, the whole arm, the crackers, dinner trivia cards, party poppers and THE FOOD...... and the candles, and the name place cards, and name place card holders, the ''it may seem random but oh boy it is not'' sprinkle of confetti on the table, the rhinestoned deer, the sparkly snowman, the baubles that were on your plate but you had to move them because you are hungry for turkey, candles that are lit next to candles that aren't lit and finally the main attraction, the holy grail of holy grails the very trendy and very expensive, standing tall in the centre of the table making only horizontal communication possible is the table centrepiece!!!!!!..... and the sub centrepieces (the two side attractions of the main centrepiece) - sold separately!
Or you could opt for a simpler, cheaper, easier option.
Or you could opt for a simpler, cheaper, easier option.
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Get out to the garden (with secateurs in hand) and take a few minutes just looking at it. You are looking for fillers, accents and focals.
Fillers are what we will use as our base and then to fill up empty spaces so think acacia, eucalyptus, redwood, fern, rosemary, etc
Accents are little features we will add to our runner so look out for fennel flowers, pyracantha berries, colourful peppers, red blackberries, rose hips, leptospermum, etc.
Focals are what will take the stage and gain main attention such as liquid amber leaves, maple leaves, succulents, roses, gourds, etc.
Get snipping and collect an assortment of items that you think could work as fillers, accents and focals.
Fillers are what we will use as our base and then to fill up empty spaces so think acacia, eucalyptus, redwood, fern, rosemary, etc
Accents are little features we will add to our runner so look out for fennel flowers, pyracantha berries, colourful peppers, red blackberries, rose hips, leptospermum, etc.
Focals are what will take the stage and gain main attention such as liquid amber leaves, maple leaves, succulents, roses, gourds, etc.
Get snipping and collect an assortment of items that you think could work as fillers, accents and focals.
| When you have collected all the items you wish to use for the table make sure you sort them out accordingly. Trim off excess foliage and clean leaves etc. If you choose to spray paint this is where that will happen and remember to let it dry before you assemble. Start with laying out the table runner as it gives you a guide of where you are going. If you don't have one perhaps a visual straight line across the table will help. Lay out your fillers as a foundation and follow a pattern that comes naturally to you and one that you are happy with. Introduce the accents and place focals where you feel are empty and lacking. Finally place your candles to finish off! The natural beauty of the ingredients will not only speak for it self but will also leave a fresh cut smell lingering around the dinner table.  |   |
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Collect pinecones from your garden and make sure you clean them. In a bowl pour a little PVA glue then mix in glitter. Make sure there is more glitter than glue to make a glittery paste. Dip the edges of each pinecone into the paste and let them dry. In the meantime cut and write out your name cards. You can use the leftover glitter paste to create a border around the card.
This can be a great activity to get the kids involved and have fun with!
Once the pinecones have dried wedge name cards in and give a final sprinkle of glitter. Annnnd there! Now everyone knows where they should sit! and Grandma is as far away from the wine as possible!
Well there you have it! A few DIYs this Christmas which can only mean you are left with more to spend on the boxing day sales! Win-win.! And just remember to have fun with it! If you are afraid that you aren't quite ready for a DIY project or that you may not be as creative just know that natural beauty speak volumes and goes hand in hand with minimal effort. So get the family out to the garden and decorate your space! Make sure you watch Elf at some point and we aren't kidding about getting new gardeners (maybe us?)
With lots of love and warm wishes from our family to yours!
Happy Christmas!
The Secret Garden Company
With lots of love and warm wishes from our family to yours!
Happy Christmas!
The Secret Garden Company
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