This year, more than ever, holiday traditions are important. One of my favorite traditions is making a centerpiece for my dining room table. Usually, this is a project I share with my grandchildren when they visit. We walk around my garden and collect attractive foliage, berries, and dried flowers.
Make a holiday centerpiece for the dining room table with foliage, berries, and dried flowers from the garden.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson University
Due to COVID-19, this year will be a little different for my family as it is for many South Carolina residents. It will be just my husband, our pets, and myself sharing the holiday season. Treasured family gatherings will have to wait.
I am still creating memories with my grandchildren, but they are being done virtually. After gathering the plant materials from my garden, I had a Zoom session with my grandchildren, and we made the table centerpiece. They helped in choosing what to put where for the overall design and approved the result.
Here are the supplies you will need:
- A festive bowl or container-this is where you can use “Aunt Sue Ella’s” antique glass bowl you inherited.
- Wet floral foam brick
- Pruners
- A selection of foliage, berries, dried or fresh flowers
Select a wide variety of foliage textures, berries, and dried flowers to use in the arrangement.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson University
Soak the wet foam in water and allow it to absorb the water naturally.Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson University
Soak the wet foam in water and allow it to absorb the water naturally.Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson University
Soak the wet floral foam in a container of water. Let it float on the surface and allow the foam to absorb the water naturally. Do not force the foam under the water. This can take a few minutes, but I like to soak mine anywhere from several hours to overnight.
If necessary, cut the foam to fit the size of your container. You may also use floral tape to secure the foam to the container
I first started with magnolia leaves around the base of the arrangement, then spaced plum yew, gold mop cypress, and variegated aucuba foliage accented with holly berries, dried hydrangea flowers, and fresh baby’s breath to create a well-balanced design.
Use as a centerpiece as a focal point on your dining room table and enjoy. Happy Holidays, everyone!
Use as a centerpiece as a focal point on the dining room table.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson University
