Holiday Decorating Dilemmas Solved

Text and photos by Whitney Gibbens • Tree photos by Carole Patterson

You better watch out.
You better not cry.
You better not pout.
I’m telling you why:
Allen’s Flowers, My Secret Garden and Kent’s Floral Gallery are coming to turn simple ho, ho, ho hum decorations into holiday sensations.

TREE

Perhaps the most daunting holiday challenge is breathing life into the same old tree.  The two most important touches for the perfect tree are lights and, for artificial trees, “fluffing each and every branch, clear to the trunk,” said Lora Schnurbusch, of Kent’s Floral Gallery. Always decorate with the lights on, she said, to get a feel for where the lights won’t come through a big ornament.

There are several quick fixes for updating a tree, Schnurbusch said. Mix white and colored lights for a brighter tree. Change the ribbon, from gold to polka dot. For a natural, lighter look, enliven with pinecones, berries or branches cut from the yard. Sorting ornaments by color and size often sparks inspiration: Try a bold, monochromatic tree. Other ornament musts include varying the size of the balls. For depth and texture hang bigger ornaments first, Schnurbusch said. Grouping like items, such as feathers, adds interest. And if you’re a collector, consider using your collection on the tree for a distinctive look. For more information, visit Kent’s Floral Gallery, 919 E. Broadway, or on the Web at  www.kentsfloralgallery.com.

MANTLE

Darla Manley, a master designer at Allen’s Flowers, creates versatile pieces for the mantle and entertainment cabinet by mixing silk greenery and fresh flowers. Long-needle pine boughs, sprigs of blueberries, pinecones and evergreen accents give a distinctive holiday feeling. Pheasant feathers add a rustic feel, and a sheer red ribbon trails throughout. Fresh white lilies accent with color and fragrance. “White flowers always are good because they’ll fit in with any style,” she said. Come January, no rush to redecorate; substitute red berries and real leaves to add bursts of warmth to winter. For more information, visit Allen’s Flowers, 201 S. Ninth St., or on the Web at www.allensflowersinc.com

WREATH

Time for a new wreath? Ruth La Hue at My Secret Garden finds inspiration in her own yard to fashion a beautiful, natural wreath. A grapevine base is laden with fresh cedar cuttings bearing tiny blue berries, pine cones, shiny holly and magnolia leaves, hydrangea blossoms and delicate white and pink euonymus berries.  All are evergreen, which means a daily misting will keep the wreath vibrant, she said. The eco-friendly wreath is hand-woven, so when the time comes, it can be tossed into the yard where it will break down naturally. LaHue, an area native, says she wants her wreath to say, “Columbia, Missouri, holiday and the winter. We want it to look like it came from here, from our home.” For more information, visit My Secret Garden, 16 N. Ninth St., or on the Web at www.secretgardenmo.com.