Nothing says Christmas like fresh cut greens. And spreading their beautiful textures and scent all over the house is always a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for loved ones as they gather for the holidays. Of course, at this point, time is of the essence, and easy is even better, so we have a few suggestions for incorporating fresh cut greens into your décor quickly and easily with no special equipment needed – just a pair of clippers and other supplies you might already have around your home. We’ll focus on the three main gathering points in the home – the entry way, the living room, and the dining table. Of course, once these spots are taken care of, smaller accents can be set here and there throughout the rest of the house too.
For the Entryway
Welcome everyone at the door with a small, fresh cut tree like the ones we have in our Fresh Cut Greens area. They’re little – just three feet or so – but they still pack that wonderful scent. Wrapped in a simple strand of white lights, this tiny tree would look great sitting on the entryway stairs or next to a table as your guests walk in – just like a houseplant, but with fragrant holiday flair. And on that same table, you could also set a simple glass vase with water and a few stems of a single variety of fresh greens, like a pine or cedar – maybe even add a small stem or two of red lifelike berries. Drop a handful of cranberries in the vase to add a pop of cheerful red there too. Or simply lay a few boughs of pine or cedar along the table with a few pinecones and a candle.
For the Mantel
In the living room, the mantel is a great place to create a simple and fragrant focal point with fresh greens. If you’re starting from scratch, you could simply lay two or three sections of white-barked birch poles along the length, then intermingle evergreen boughs around them. Any of your favorite greens will work and there doesn’t have to be a lot – a few boughs will do. For a little drape over the sides, try any of the cedars – western, Leyland, or incense. Add candles or a simple string of white lights for a warm glow and maybe another glass vase with those same fresh cut greens and cranberries used in the entryway. If your mantel already has a lifelike evergreen garland on it, fluff it out and pump up the fragrance by tucking in short sections of fresh cut greens here and there. Silver fir is wonderful for this – it lasts a long time and the backs of the boughs are a beautiful silvery-blue which adds texture and color to an otherwise all-green garland. You can scatter a few stems of red or white lifelike berries throughout the garland too.
At the Dining Table
In the dining room, try adding a natural and fragrant runner down the center of the table with boughs of western cedar or Leyland cedar. Both of these greens are soft and fragrant and lay flat, making them a perfect table runner either by themselves or as a base for other greens and décor you may want to set on top. For quick and easy tabletop arrangements, line up three to five clear glass vases or mason jars – in varying heights to create more dimension and interest. To repeat the same theme from the entryway and mantel, you can again fill the vases with water, cranberries, and a single variety of your favorite fresh cut green – but shorter this time so guests can see each other across the table.
Around Your Home
Other areas of the house to consider might include the kitchen, the restrooms, and side tables next to seating areas. In the kitchen, fresh potted herbs like rosemary have that evergreen look but bring another inviting – and appetite-inducing – fragrance to the party. The random, twisting, draping style of our creeping rosemary adds some great texture to a space, and if you need a little fresh herb to toss in a recipe, it’s right within reach. A few cut sprigs of rosemary added to the dining table collection would be a nice addition too. In the restroom, another small glass vase with greens or maybe just a single bough of pine or cedar draped along the back of the sink is an easy way to continue the evergreen theme. Or maybe add a potted lavender for a soft, relaxing accent. For side tables and coffee tables, small bowls can be filled with pinecones or ornaments with sprigs of fresh cut greens and lifelike berries for added accents.
Entertaining guests can be a bit overwhelming and stressful, but the decorations don’t have to be. With the simple, fragrant beauty of fresh cut greens, you can create a festive holiday atmosphere your guests will appreciate as they relax and enjoy your friendship and warm hospitality.
A shout-out to @brepurposed (left) for the beautiful mantel photo.
