Hands on decs

YOU’LL save some useful cash on Christmas decorations if you make your own.

Your garden is probably a treasure trove of greenery, seed heads and winter blooms – with all you need for a fantastic door wreath and garlands.

Begin by gathering any goodlooking greenery from the garden.

Conifer trimmings such as pines, firs and cedars are ideal. They dry out slowly and hold their needles even in a warm room. You can use almost anything, including leylandii pieces.

Snip bright evergreen leaves from choice shrubs such as euonymus, choisya and shiny camellia as well as from the vibrant leaves of herbaceous plants like heucheras.

For the detail, use herbs such as rosemary, sage and lavender. Also lingering rose blooms plus the winter flowers of heathers and viburnums, pine cones, the Chinese lanterns of Physalis franchetii, furry clematis seed heads and poppies’ pepper pots.

Draped

Cheerful berries can be used for the finishing touches. But bear in mind that poisonous berries are found on holly, yew and ivy. The pearly white berries of mistletoe are particularly toxic. Young flexible branches are perfect for making garlands to be draped over the fire mantle, door frames or banister rail. For hanging tree decorations, simply attach wire to berries and the base of the pinecones. Other decorative possibilities are strips of bark and clusters of seed heads which can also be spray-painted or displayed in their natural state. As well as the welcoming effect of a door wreath, you can add a few colourful containers packed with evergreens and seasonal plants like hellebores, cyclamen and heather. Decorating nearby border s hrubs with garlands of berries and popcorn and hanging suet cake stars will not only look good but also provide the birds with an edible treat over the festive period. For a magical effect after dark, add a few twinkling, solarpowered fairy lights.