Evergreen decorations have a long tradition of brightening our holidays and filling our noses with a scent that’s synonymous with Christmas. While evergreen porch pots, garland, wreaths, and swags will never go out of style, it’s always fun to try something new. And there are lots of other charming holiday decorations to be made with evergreens. So, without further ado, here are 5 fresh ideas for evergreen decorations that go beyond the classics. All you’ll need to do is pick up some ornaments and craft supplies, collect the trimmings from your Christmas tree, and/or purchase some fresh-cut greens!
1) Christmas Kissing Ball
Consisting of evergreen branches and other decorations bursting out in a sphere, Christmas kissing balls were the original mistletoe. They fell out of favor when mistletoe gained popularity, but they’re making a comeback, and for good reason. In addition to being a delightful pom-pom of verdant greenery, they’re one of the easiest evergreen decorations to make. It doesn’t take much more than poking branches and other decorations into a floral foam ball.
Supplies to pick up besides evergreen boughs:
- Floral foam ball
- Thin wire for hanging the Christmas ball
- Hot glue & gun
- Any other decorations you desire (pinecones, ribbon, glitter, etc.)
There’s nothing quite like a flash of real evergreen to add a special touch to Christmas cards, gift tags, and candles.
Whoville Tree
Just like the Grinch who stole Christmas, the Whoville tree reminds us what Christmas is all about. And it looks remarkably like a real-life version of the Whoville trees originated by Dr. Seuss! Note: To create that wonderful drooping treetop, use Port Orford cedar branches. This type of cedar has the flexibility you’ll need to bend the treetop toward the floor.
Supplies to pick up:
- Port Orford cedar branches
- A heavier-set tree container
- Floral foam
- 12-gauge aluminum wire
- Large Christmas ornament (a signature ornament of the Whoville tree)
- Any other decorations you desire
Evergreen Gnomes and Santas
If you like garden gnomes, perhaps it’s time you invited their evergreen cousins to come visit for the holidays. Evergreen gnomes—and Santas—are a brilliant variation on swag. In the simplest version, all you have to do is top the pointed branch ends of your swag with a hat and nose. To make a gnome or Santa that can stand, you’ll require a tomato cage.
Supplies to pick up (or make) besides evergreen boughs:
- Pointy hat
- Nose
- Mittens
- 12-gauge aluminum wire
- Tomato cage
Evergreen Christmas Cards, Gift Tags, and Candles
If you’ve completed a big evergreen décor project and don’t want to let the little leftover pieces go to waste, this is your solution. There’s nothing quite like a flash of real evergreen to add a special touch to Christmas cards, gift tags, and candles. You can glue sprigs to tags, cards, and even the outside of candle holders. Twigs and sprigs also look lovely when placed inside a glass candle holder with a battery-operated candle positioned on top.
Supplies to pick up:
- Blank tags
- Blank cardstock
- Glue (spray glue could be particularly helpful)
- Candles and candle holders
- Whatever other decorative accents you desire (cranberries, festive string, ribbon, etc.)
Branch Out From the Front Door
Discovering evergreen decorations in places you don’t expect to see them helps to kindle those holiday feelings of surprise, joy, and wonder. Here are some less expected places to put your evergreen decorations:
- Hanging from a tree branch outside (a lovely place for a Christmas kissing ball)
- Mirrors
- Garage doors
- Exterior house corners
- Doghouse
- Birdhouse or bird feeder
- Garden shed
- Mailbox
- Windows
- Kitchen cabinets
- Bathroom
How Do You Keep Cut Evergreen Branches Fresh?
There are three secrets to keeping your evergreen branches fresh:
- Keep them moist. Before you put your evergreens in a decoration, soak them in cool water. Twenty-four hours is best. After that, mist them about every two days while being careful not to mist decorations that could be damaged by water.
- Keep them cool. If you can, keep them away from heat sources like fireplaces, furnaces, and heat vents. When the leaves and needles turn brown and start falling, that’s a sign that they have dried out.
- Use Wilt Stop. Wilt Stop is an anti-desiccant spray that’s fantastic at preserving cut greenery. It’s available in our garden center.
We’ve Got Plenty of Evergreen Decorations!
Here at the Plant Perfect garden center in Bismarck, we have all the fresh greens and accoutrements you need to create evergreen decorations that will put a smile on your face every time you see them. Happy holidays, and we hope to see you soon!