How to Make a Holiday Flower Arrangement

Assembling Resources

• 1

  Assemble your containers first. You need a middle-sized basket and a waterproof container that fits inside it to hold the flowers. You also need a piece of foam-type floral foam to hold flowers, cut to fit snugly in your bowl or vase.

• 2

  Look both at the florist's and in your garden for flower ideas. The general form of this arrangement assumes large white flowers and medium-sized-to-small touches of red and blue. You can change that balance, depending on what you find available. You may want to choose white blooms from your hydrangea or snowball bush. Contrast that with middle-sized red monarda, zinnias or florist daisy/mums. Tall blue spikes of delphinium, larkspur or lavender work perfectly within this combination.

• 3

  Assemble other holiday touches. This may involve another flower, special foliage or something from the craft store.

Making Your Arrangement

• 4

  Hydrate all your flowers/foliage the day before you make your arrangement. Cut 1 to 2 inches off all stems. Put flowers promptly into cold water. Let them sit in a cool place. Alternatively, refrigerate them overnight in very hot weather.

• 5

  Assemble basket, flower container and floral foam the day you make your arrangement. Soak foam in water per directions--usually 15 to 30 minutes--before fitting it snugly into your flower container. If your basket has a handle, determine whether you will be arranging flowers in the container and then putting the finished arrangement into the basket.

• 6

  Cut flower stems according to arrangement formula: Cut short stems for your low cluster of soft big flowers--they will form the foundation of your arrangement. Leave enough stem to secure them in the foam but not so much as to show a lot to viewers. Cut medium length stems for medium sized flowers--blooms should rise above your foundation cluster. Leave stems on your third floral element (spiky flowers, that interesting flowering foliage or craft-store sparkly accents) longer, to add height and width to your final arrangement.

• 7

  Add final touches when you put your arrangement in place. Craft-store ribbon can be tied in a bow around the basket handle or laid in strips to form a runner or mat under the basket. A colored napkin or small mat will extend the size of your arrangement--and protect your furniture from watering drips. Scatter a little holiday confetti to complete the festive look. Happy holiday!