Baby it’s cold outside...

The temperature has dropped significantly. Mittens and gloves are becoming a mainstay now and a hint of joy is in the air. It must be nearing Christmas.

After a cold Thanksgiving day and snow hitting the ground already, some are embracing the spirit of Christmas while others are just complaining of the cold. I love Christmas and the time that surrounds it. The cold weather, on the other hand, is another story.

Hopefully all of you got your fall cleanups done before the snow arrived this past week. If not, it looks like you may have a final chance to get the lawn mowed, leaves raked, perennials trimmed back and dead annuals pulled out of the ground over this weekend. Keep in mind, if you have any broadleaf evergreens such as azaleas, rhododendrons, pieris or Japanese holly to name a few, a coating of Wilt Stop or Wiltpruf now will help them weather the cold winter winds which can dehydrate leaves and cause winter burn come next spring. This product coats leaves with an invisible layer of protectant and will not harm your plants.

Many professional decorators also use WiltStop on any fresh cut greens or roping they use to decorate inside and outside the home as well. This product extends the longevity of cut pine, spruce and fir by helping to seal in moisture. If you never used this before, I do recommend you give it a try. You will be glad you did!

Be prepared to spend a little more money on cut trees and roping this year. Thanks to the economic recession a decade or so a go, many nurseries did not plant trees for the future. We we probably see a shortage for the next 5 years give or take. Also, white pine roping is getting harder to source. The white pines evergreens are not as popular as they once were and the numbers of them are dwindling each year. The tips of the white pine are what roping is made out of. Combine this with a lack of labor to produce this roping and you have a remedy for higher prices .Alternate species of combined ropings are becoming more popular. They are 5 times as full and really look great for those pinterest pics you post when your decorating is done.

As for some trends I am seeing for inside decorating, water lanterns are huge. These plastic lanterns with a Christmas or winter scene inside them, are filled with water, glycerine and glitter. A fan is added that moves the glitter and voila, you have the most mesmerizing Christmas item which you can watch for hours. If you have not seen any of these, you are missing out and many of my clients are starting to collect these from year to year. All you need is to add batteries, sit back, and enjoy.

Vintage ornaments seem to be making a comeback with tin foil ornaments, ugly sweaters, shadowbox and things which are very 70s. Our love for food is being showcased in ornaments as well. From bacon and eggs, to bowls of guacamole or chilli, pizza, hamburgers, and every desert you can imagine made into ornaments have really been popular.

Let’s not forget cocktail hour .... Wine bottles, beer kegs and mugs, vodka and whiskey bottles, cigars and even stuffed olive ornaments adorn that small tree or garland many are decorating on their bar. Throw in a Corona, Santa holding a margarita and blender and head south to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. Some really cute inventive ornaments have been made for all the parrot head lovers who enjoy his music.

Anything farmhouse seems to be still be relevant with barn wood and tin ornaments continuing to be a big hit. Doves, cardinals, twigs, and berries with lanterns are also very strong.

If you’re a traditionalist, you can not go wrong with red and green. Those colors are Christmas!! The clock is ticking and we are less than thirty days away from Christmas. It’s time to deck the halls and add some Christmas cheer to your home.