Deck the Halls

Today has been a busy day of Christmas prep as the munchkins and I, accompanied by the ever present JR, went off to the woods to gather greenery to make a wreath for our front door and one for OH's work. Here is how I did it...

coat hangers, secateurs, string, florist wire, gloves, moss, ivy, pine from my Christmas tree, holly and poinsettia

* note I used poinsettia as my holly was lacking in the berry department but you could use red carnations, red ribbon, wired up pinecones or even red roses if you want to push the boat out.

Pull your wire coat hanger into a round wish shape. As you can see you don't have to be exact because the greenery covers it up so perfection is not required.

Bundle up the moss and use the string to tie it all around the wire. 

Add the greenery in layers. I started with the ivy then added the pine and finished with the holly.

Secure the greenery by folding the florist wire in half then push it through the moss to the other side so it pins down the stem. Twist the two ends of the wire the tighten then bend safely out of the way.

Wrap the wire around the flower of your choice then add that where you want. I did two separate designs...

for my front door

for OH's work

Always take care to wash your hands thoroughly after arranging flowers.

  So because tramping through the woods then making a wreath for the door is not Christmassy enough the munchkins and I put on some festive tunes and baked some biscuits. It is an old favourite recipe, tried and tested, which I have written down in my Christmas Almanack. After wasting time year after year of trawling through recipes trying to find one we had enjoyed there was one year I forgot to make something we all really enjoyed and the munchkins were disappointed so I decided to write it all down, every last little thing we like so there is no chance it will be forgotten and I cannot recommend it enough. Find a nice notebook and start one this year.

Our biscuits have cooled down and are in a tin some are ready to be put into cellophane bags and given as gifts while others will be available to nibble after school or with a cup of tea.

Whatever you do in the week running up to Christmas I hope you enjoy it.

Hugs from Haggis Land,

Jx