Create Your Own Christmas Wreath

Did you know you could make your own Christmas wreath? Christmas wreaths add so much pleasure and whimsical interest to any home or office. Wreaths are easy to make because all you need are the supplies, the effort and your imagination. They are displayable inside or outdoors, depending on their construction materials. You can even make Christmas wreaths for gift giving since nearly everyone has a soft place for such charming sentiments during the holidays.

Traditionally, wreaths were made of evergreen. However, there are several different types of wreaths of decorating, such as Styrofoam, grapevine, straw and wire base. Each of these wreath types has its own special features for wreath making.

You can get craft supplies for Christmas wreath making by shopping online specialty websites as well as hobby and department stores or you can even make your own.

Basic craft supplies will include:

- Wire cutters

- Hot glue and hot glue gun

- Floral picks

- Ribbon cutting scissors

- Florist tape

- Craft wire of either 22 or 24 gauge

Christmas wreaths can be classically simple or they can be outrageously contemporary. The way you make your Christmas wreath look original is to follow your instincts and let you imagination run free to choose a theme, while staying within your budget. You see, the wreath symbolizes the circle of life and immortality. What better why to celebrate life at Yuletide than to make your own original festive Christmas wreath?

Always buy or make your wreath before you consider the decorations to go on it. This will help you determine just how much of what types of decorations you may want to make or purchase to display on your Christmas wreath. You will save money by acquiring the wreath before you begin to decorate.

Stay flexible and creative while making your own Christmas wreath. You can use or make all sorts of items to decorate your homemade Christmas wreath. For instance, you can use cookies, dried or silk flowers and berries, different types of ribbons or bows, tinsel, greenery and other ornaments. You can use just about anything that catches your fancy when making your own Christmas wreath, since you will determine a theme before you begin to make your own wreath. For instance, Christmas specialty socks for babies are just the right size for decorating a wreath. Even large unworn earrings with a lot of glitter and sparkle make a great accent on a wreath. You are only limited by your imagination.

You can even use several small wreaths and create candle holders, just be sure to follow fire safety rules. Alternatively, you can make several Christmas wreaths and hang them as a Christmas wreath collection. On the other hand, you may want to make a large wreath as a center wall piece, or hang it outside or inside the entrance door to your home.

Everyone is sure to enjoy the pleasure of gathering to make his or her own Christmas wreaths. So you may want to make a day of it by making Christmas wreaths a family or group activity. If you decide to have wreath making as a group activity, everyone could bring a few different items and then everyone shares their goods. That way everyone has a surprising original Christmas wreath that is akin to others in the group. Christmas wreath making is fun and provides you with a nice looking decoration and the pride of knowing you can make your own Christmas wreath. Remember with the proper care and storage your Christmas wreath can last for many years.

Herb Gardening For Beginners

Herb gardening is easy even for beginners since most herbs are relatively easy to grow. I started out with just one artimesia herb plant twenty years ago and now have over an acre of herbs that I use mainly for crafting wreaths and making dried floral arrangements. I have learned a lot about growing herbs in those years and have five tips listed below that will help any beginner herb gardener get off to a great start. These tips might also teach the pros a thing or two. Lets start with the basics.

Basically, herbs may be divided into two groups. They are either annuals or perennials. Annual herbs need to be planted each year since they only grow for one season. Perennial herbs come back each year. One definition of a perennial that I love is: "A perennial is a plant that comes back year after year... if it lives!" Now, lets take a closer look at these two categories of herbs.

First, lets talk about annual herbs. The cheapest way to have a lot of these types of herbs is to start them from seed. Sowing either directly outside after the last frost date, or inside four to six weeks before the last frost date is recommended on the packets. The other options are to buy your herbs as small plants each year at garden center, or you may find more unusual varieties online. If you are really blessed, you may even be able to get a free plant from a fellow herb gardener who is dividing some of their herbs. Some of the easiest annuals to grow are sweet basil, anise, borage, chervil, coriander, dill, fennel, and summer savory.

Next, lets talk about perennial herbs. Herbs like mint, rosemary, lemon balm, chives and oregano are a good choice for your first herb garden. Other perennials herbs that do well are lovage, hyssop, lavender, sage, sweet marjoram, sweet woodruff, tarragon, and thyme. One of my absolute favorite perennial herbs to grow and dry for crafting is yarrow.

Now that you know the basics, following the tips below will make you a real pro in no time.

Herb Gardening For Beginners - Five Tips To Success
Choose a site with at least six hours of sunlight.
Choose an area with good drainage and moderate temperatures.
Avoid sites where the soil is too wet or too dry which indicates too much clay or sand.
Amend soils with organic matter after having your soil tested.
Use only hand-picking and insecticidal soaps to control occasional insect problems. Herb gardening for beginners is easy with these tips. Go ahead and give it a try and you might just find yourself on a wonderful life long journey into the world of herbs.

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