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<p>Want to do something different with your decorations this <strong>Christmas</strong>? <strong>Dried flowers</strong> make beautiful ornaments, and once you’ve learnt the art of drying flowers, your garden is a storehouse of treasures, ready for your creative ideas.</p>

<p>Want to do something different with your decorations this <strong>Christmas</strong>? <strong>Dried flowers</strong> make beautiful ornaments, and once you’ve learnt the art of drying flowers, your garden is a storehouse of treasures, ready for your creative ideas.</p>
<h2>Selecting and picking flowers for drying</h2>
<p>When picking flowers for drying, choose blooms that are not quite mature, so that they will last longer. Pick flowers in the morning, as soon as the dew has dried on them. If there’s nothing flowering in your garden at the moment, buy cut flowers and experiment with them. Once you’ve got the technique, you’ll be able to dry flowers from your own garden next summer.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How to air-dry flowers</h2>
<p>Air-drying is a very simple technique. It works well for complex flowers like roses, and for small, long-lasting blooms like lavender.&nbsp; Cut flowers with stems at least 15cm (6in) long. Remove the leaves, tie a length of string to each stem and hang the flowers upside down in a dry, well-ventilated dark place for two to three weeks, until the flowers are dry and papery. Spray lightly with hairspray and store carefully.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How to dry flowers with silica gel</h2>
<p>Silica gel looks like very fine sand and is available from craft shops. It dries flowers by drawing moisture out of the petals and works well on flowers like roses, tulips and chrysanthemums.</p>
<p>Pour a layer of gel into a bowl, place a flower on top of the gel and gently pour more gel over it until the flower is completely covered. Leave for several days, until the flower is dry and papery. Remove the flower, carefully brush off the gel, mist the flower with hairspray and store.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How to dry flowers by pressing&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The simplest way to press flowers is between the pages of a book. Place a flower between two absorbent pieces of paper (old-fashioned blotting paper works well), put these between the pages of a book, close the book and weigh it down by placing a couple of other heavy books on top of it. Change the blotting paper every few days. Pressed flowers usually take 2-3 weeks to dry fully.</p>
<h2>Making decorations with dried flowers</h2>
<p>Dried flowers make beautiful Christmas decorations, reminding us that spring isn’t far away. Here are a few ideas on how to use dried flowers as decorations:</p>
<ul>
<li>Fill clear plastic baubles with dried flowers to make beautiful Christmas tree decorations. Use rose petals as ‘filler’ for the centre of the bauble, with flatter flowers like daisies towards the outside.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Fill vases with dried flower arrangements to remind you of summer.</li>
<li>Lay a mini-bouquet of dried flowers at each place around your Christmas dinner table.</li>
<li>Use dried flowers to add colour to seasonal wreaths.</li>
</ul>
<p>Whatever your decorating style, you’ll find plenty to inspire you in our centre, so pay us a visit and make your home amazing this Christmas.</p>

How to use dried flowers as Christmas decorations

<p>These top <strong>tips for decorating the Christmas table</strong> will bring festive joy to your home and help to bring the family together to celebrate good times. Christmas table decorations appear in any colour, shape and size. Christmas table decorations are made from&nbsp;different materials in DIY-style or shop-bought. Take the time to make your table extra special this year. Let's make Christmas 2020 unforgettable.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These top <strong>tips for decorating the Christmas table</strong> will bring festive joy to your home and help to bring the family together to celebrate good times. Christmas table decorations appear in any colour, shape and size. Christmas table decorations are made from&nbsp;different materials in DIY-style or shop-bought. Take the time to make your table extra special this year. Let's make Christmas 2020 unforgettable.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Decorate the Christmas table with natural materials</h2>
<p>Enjoy some times outside, and see what you can find to make your own table decorations, from dried leaves sprayed sparkly colours to pine cones covered in glitter laid across the table. Add twigs for an extra touch and turn a branch into a stunning centrepiece with all of your favourite Christmas flowers displayed. Be as creative as you like and style it any way that you feel. You can really express yourself when you make your own decorations.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Enjoy shopping for decorating the Christmas table&nbsp;</h2>
<p>If you like the sparkle of Christmas shopping, why not spend some time meandering the store and finding your perfect accessories for the Christmas table. From tinsel to candelabras and everything in between, you can enjoy the Christmas shopping experience and pick your own from the many options. Go with the traditional Christmas colours of red and green with plenty of silver or a go for all gold and be bold.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Decorating the Christmas table can be styled and themed&nbsp;</h2>
<p>When you think about what style you would like your table to be, there are many different ways you can make it look. From a crisp white tablecloth with red striped napkins and silver cutlery or pretty colourful flowers laid out on stems of Eucalyptus with silvery foliage, sprinkled with Cranberries and fairy lights.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Try a show stopper for decorating the Christmas table&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Go big and create something to surprise the family. Try long stems sprayed with red paint in a tall vase then add lots of tall festive foliage and flowers. Place Poinsettias all around the base of the vase and your Christmas table will look incredibly festive and stunning. If you want to add even more sparkle, get the tinsel and drape that over the table as well.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Don’t forget the crackers!</p>
<p>Come in store and discover the Christmas spirit and your perfect table decoration&nbsp;</p>

Top tips for decorating the Christmas table

<p>When <strong>festive wreaths</strong> start appearing on doors, you know Christmas is just around the corner. Whether you prefer a traditional wreath or something more unusual, there’s no shortage of ways to decorate your own wreath. We’ve put together some of our favourite ideas below.</p>

<p>When <strong>festive wreaths</strong> start appearing on doors, you know Christmas is just around the corner. Whether you prefer a traditional wreath or something more unusual, there’s no shortage of ways to decorate your own wreath. We’ve put together some of our favourite ideas below.</p>
<h2>Making a wreath: what you’ll need</h2>
<p>To make a wreath, you first need a wreath base. You can buy wireframes or plain polystyrene bases, as well as bases ready-wrapped with artificial foliage.</p>
<p>You will also need glue, florist wire and secateurs, plus the decorations of your choice.</p>
<h2>How to wrap a wreath base</h2>
<p>If you’re using fresh evergreen foliage to wrap your base, cut the foliage into lengths to suit the base – you may need to experiment a bit, but around 15-20cm (6-8in) usually works. Make the foliage into small bundles, and use the florist wire to attach each bundle to the wreath so that it lies flat, covering the base. Work your way around the base, overlapping the bundles until the base is completely covered.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>You can also wrap your base with string, material, coloured paper or anything else that inspires you.</p>
<h2>Ideas for decorating wreaths</h2>
<ul>
<li>
<p>For a simple but very effective wreath, use a single type of evergreen foliage to cover your base, e.g. yew, and decorate it with a large red ribbon bow.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Dust pine-cones with fake snow or spray them silver or gold, and nestle them in amongst evergreen foliage, using florist’s wire to tie them to the base.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Wrap a base in wool and cover it with fluffy pompoms for a fabulously tactile wreath.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>For a spectacular look, use a polystyrene base and smother it with gleaming round Christmas baubles. Glue the baubles on, starting from the inside of the base and working out, using a mix of different-sized and coloured baubles.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Make a snowball wreath with Styrofoam balls in a range of sizes glued to a polystyrene base. For added sparkle, spray lightly with an aerosol adhesive and sprinkle with glitter.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>You can’t have too much of a good thing. Make a tiered wreath by linking two or three wreaths together in a chain using patterned ribbon or material and hang it on the wall or drape it the full length of your door.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Make a dried wreath tying bundles of twigs together for a base, then decorate with pine cones and dried flowers. Spray it snowy white or sparkling silver for frosty appeal.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Celebrate family and friends with a photo wreath. Wrap a polystyrene base in plain or coloured paper, then cover it with your favourite photos to make a memorable display.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Break with tradition and make a square wreath. Tie bundles of twigs to make a square frame, then decorate with ribbons at the corners and wrap it with fairy lights or tinsel.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>We have a fantastic range of wreaths and decorations in our centre. Let us help you brighten up your home this festive season.</p>

Top tips on decorating festive wreaths

<p>These tips of how to <strong>make this Christmas magical</strong> are to inspire you to make the most of the festive season, given what a hard year it has been for everyone around the world. Although 2020 may be a different kind of Christmas to what everyone is used to, it is still important to have some festive fun as much as possible and bring the Christmas spirit to your home, family and friends - even if that is via zoom! Here are our tips to help make some magic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These tips of how to <strong>make this Christmas magical</strong> are to inspire you to make the most of the festive season, given what a hard year it has been for everyone around the world. Although 2020 may be a different kind of Christmas to what everyone is used to, it is still important to have some festive fun as much as possible and bring the Christmas spirit to your home, family and friends - even if that is via zoom! Here are our tips to help make some magic.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Go big on sparkles to make this Christmas magical&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Even if decorating with a lot of sparkle and glitter isn’t usually your thing, why not try it this year? Go big with anything that shimmers from sequin clothes to multi-coloured tinsel, glitter spray your own natural decorations and make everything feel like a sparkly winter wonderland. It might seem over the top, but by Christmas day, those sparkles will make things feel all the more magical.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Make this Christmas magical with a Christmas film&nbsp;</h2>
<p>There is nothing like a festive film to put you in the mood for Christmas. Forget what’s going on in the world, put your feet up, get a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate and snuggle in to watch your favourite festive movie. Love Actually is great for the magic of Christmas, The Grinch that Stole Christmas is both fun and festive or why not watch or Miracle on 34th Street for some old fashioned music in the Christmas spirit.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Make this Christmas magical with handmade cards&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The magic of Christmas is all about giving, so why not start by getting creative and making your own Christmas cards. It doesn't matter if they are paper or cardboard, the recipient will be thrilled that you put the time and effort into making something special for them. Personalise each one, make each a little different and send your love to friends and family at a distance with the personal touch. Why not add some natural decorations, prints or drawings and get the kids involved as well.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Treat yourself to make this Christmas magical&nbsp;</h2>
<p>As you think about gifting others, don’t forget to look after yourself. Take some time for self-care and relaxation. Why not gift yourself with something that you’ve wanted for ages. A new houseplant? That perfect Poinsettia you’ve had your eye on, or the new Fir Tree for the garden. Christmas is for everyone, after all.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Make this Christmas special and visit Santa&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Santa is, of course, still at work this year, so if you have a list, make sure you send it in. Or even better still, visit him and tell him in person what you would love for Christmas!</p>
<p>Visit us in store to feel the magic of Christmas for sparkles to decorate your home with.&nbsp;</p>

Make this Christmas magical

On the Blog

<p>Grow bags are incredibly useful throughout the garden: just pop them anywhere you want to grow plants but don't have soil, like the edge of a patio or outside the back door. They give you an instant growing space for sweet peas, annual climbers like morning glory, or productive herbs, vegetables 

Greenhouse grow bags

Trim tall shrubs and roses by a third to reduce the 'sail' effect, when strong winds catch the tops of shrubs and pull them about during winter storms. This tugs at the roots, weakening and damaging them and occasionally pulling over the whole plant. 