EASY WAY TO GO GREEN: BRING THE OUTSIDE IN
Here, LUCY BRAZIER, who’s worked with Hugh for 16 years, shares her top festive tips . . .
LUCY’S SPACE-SAVING NATURAL ‘TABLESCAPE’
THERE isn’t always space on the dining table for all the food, let alone a table arrangement. The solution? Forage for a large broken branch, leave it to dry out in the shed to give insects a chance to relocate and then hang it above the table and decorate with trailing ivy, paper cut-outs and fairy lights.
You will need strong twine to hang the branch, and florist’s wire can be helpful for securing decorations. And beeswax candles on the table in a mix of sizes will cast varied levels of light.
FORAGE WITH FRIENDS TO MAKE A MOSSY WREATH
WHILE out for a winter walk with friends, forage for greenery to make a wreath when you get back. Collect moss, holly, ivy and fir for the base. You’ll also need a 35cm diameter ring — you can buy this or make it yourself from wire, or even weave one using willow branches.
Once home, you’ll also need a hook (or person!) to hold the wreath up during the assembly. Liberally cover both sides of your ring with mossy handfuls, securing it by tightly winding the twine around the moss, and avoid leaving gaps.
Make small bunches of your base greenery, choosing three varieties, and repeat the bunches until you have eight to ten. They should cover the base, without encroaching too much into its middle or over the edge.
Working in a clockwise direction, fasten each bunch to the wreath with wire. They should overlap slightly.
Now poke extra foliage such as bay, rosemary and berries into the wreath, ideally tucking into the existing wire.
Finish off with decorative touches, such as pine cones and seed heads.
LINEN NOT PAPER NAPKINS — AND NO CRACKERS
‘PAPER’ napkins are not always recyclable — many actually contain plastic fibres. Linen napkins, which don’t need to match and can be picked up cheaply in charity shops, are better for the planet and so much nicer to use. A piece of ribbon with a name tag around each napkin will make guests feel special.
The foil, glitter and plastic items found in Christmas crackers, unless they are sustainable, will end up in landfill. As an alternative, make an envelope for each guest, including a handwritten joke and a tiny gift such as a packet of seeds, a sweet treat, plus a (homemade) paper hat.