Have yourself a very green Christmas!
Last week our Yealands UK team hosted a fantastic wine tasting and festive wreath making session at The Union private members club in Soho, London. Guests tasted our delicious Yealands wines and were then guided through making a sustainable festive wreath by expert floral stylist Anna from Floria Floral Design. Anna has given us some tips on making your own sustainable wreath.
Sustainable wreath making tips...
Light some candles and immerse yourself in sustainable festive creativity by making your very own eco-friendly wreath this year.
Start by picking up a metal wreath ring and floristry wire. Then using sustainably-harvested Spagnum moss, bind the moss all the way around one side of the metal ring using the wire. This will create the base of the wreath.
Now it is time to decorate your wreath. Use locally-sourced pine grown in renewable forests. Cut it into small sprigs and push it into the mossed wreath base covering all the moss. To add interest, you can then add any other foraged foliage.
Avoid using plastic and glitter covered decor by opting for beautiful natural adornments like natural pine cones, dried sliced oranges and rosehips. Simply loop some wire into them and secure them to the foliage. Your stunning eco-friendly wreath is now ready to hang on your door!
Once the festive season is over, remove all the foliage and natural decor, leaving just the mossed base. Place the base in a bin bag, tie it up, and keep it somewhere dry and dark. Take it out the following year, slowly pour some fresh cold water all over it to remoisten the moss, and then start your beautiful wreath making again!
Another simple but Christmassy decoration that is as sustainable as it is gorgeous is a festive garland. Pop down to your local Christmas tree seller and ask them for all the free cut offs they have. Tie them end-to-tip with bakers’ twine and then twist round a banister or hang across a mantlepiece. Decorate in a similar style to the wreath and your house will be filled with yuletide cheer and divine festive fragrance!
Anna Paley-Smith, Floria Floral Design Studio, London @floriafloraldesign
