Here are the basic step-by-step instructions for making one of 1-800-Flowers.com’s most cherished holiday arrangements, the Holiday Flower Tree (otherwise known as a tabletop tree-shaped arrangement). Once you master the basics, the sky’s the limit as far as creating unique, personalized trees in various sizes and containers.
The only way that spending a little time with a bunch of friends, learning new skills, and creating your very own Holiday Flower Tree® could get any better would be if it benefited a good cause. And that’s exactly what happened when my sister-in-law, Kathy, opened her home and invited a few of her neighborhood girlfriends in to join in the fun.
Each guest made a contribution to Smile Farms at IGHL, an organization that is near and dear to my heart. 1800-Flowers.com graciously stepped up and donated all the materials needed for this workshop, which allowed us to make a nice holiday donation to Smile Farms on behalf of this group of friends. Continue Reading…
I love Christmas! And I love decorating Christmas trees. The main tree in my home tends to be pretty traditional, changing only slightly from year to year, with new ornaments added here and there. So what I want to talk about is the beauty and versatility of fresh tabletop Christmas trees. These beautiful arrangements are usually handcrafted by your local florist and make great gifts. As a matter of fact, the Holiday Flower Tree® has been a best seller since it was first introduced by 1-800-Flowers over 15 years ago!!
If you have a little time and want to get creative, these trees are pretty easy to make. The basic instructions are the same for whatever size tree you want. The smaller the tree, the faster and easier it will be to construct, of course. Petite trees are so sweet and can be tucked into so many unexpected spots. Larger trees, on the other hand, allow you to create a completely custom look based on your choice of container, decorations and color scheme.
It’s not exactly hard to find wreaths gracing doors throughout the spring, summer, and fall, but wreaths are at their most popular in the winter. While it may just seem like a coincidence, wreaths actually hold great religious and spiritual meaning, which is why they’re so admired and used during the Christmas season.
For many Christians, wreaths are so much more than a decorative accessory. Though there’s no one definitive explanation for why we hang wreaths, a few theories have become popular over the years.
Hanukkah is an eight-day religious holiday celebrated by people of the Jewish faith. Each year in mid-December, Jews all over the world celebrate the Festival of Lights which commemorates a Jewish victory over the Greeks 2000 years ago. In 165 BCE, when the Jews came to rededicate the Temple they had reclaimed, they found only one small flask of oil with which to light their Menorah, or lamp. This flask contained enough oil to last for just one day, yet the lamp burned for eight days, the same exact amount of time it takes to completely prepare the sacred oil for a new ceremony. This is considered the miracle of Hanukkah.
The Menorah During the festival of Hanukkah, menorahs are lit for eight days to commemorate each night the original lamp burned. There are nine candles on the menorah, one for each night and one in the center, which is used to light the others. Each evening, families gather at nightfall to rekindle menorah flames, rededicate themselves to their faith, and to share in the festive meals. Blessings are sung as the candles are lit. Continue Reading…
Enjoy our guide to hosting your very own Flower design whether it’s as a class, workshop or an event. The DIY floral design workshop is great fun for everyone and your guests take their flower design creations back home!
I recently had the opportunity to go out into the “field” so to speak, and share a few of my favorite things – flowers and fun – with great friends, old and new!
The first event was of a corporate nature. My sister Peggy, asked if I would do a floral centerpiece workshop at her annual Customer Appreciation Night. She likes to have a little something extra and interactive for this event and the “Centerpiece Bar” worked out even better than we expected.
Old Man Winter may soon show his icy face, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your green thumb to rest for several months. While not all outdoor plants will survive being transplanted and cared for indoors, many will!
While certain plants require more specialized instructions, below is a general guide for how you could move plants inside.
While we wish it were as simple as picking up a potted plant and moving it inside, it’s unfortunately not. Moving plants indoors to a drastically different environment than they’re used to can cause them to go into shock. That’s why it’s important to take certain precautions to protect both your beloved plants and home. Continue Reading…
Have you ever eaten a flower? Before you quickly respond with a puzzled, “no,” take a minute to think about what a flower is. While most of us think of roses, daisies, and orchids when someone says “flower,” there are quite a few species we’re leaving out.
Because ‘vegetables’ is a culinary term, not exactly a scientific one, there are many things we consider to be vegetables but are, in fact, flowers. As you prepare your Thanksgiving table for a beautiful feast, consider adding these vegetables that double as flowers.
Leaving your vegetable patch unattended for more than a few days is usually a recipe for disaster — unless you’re talking about artichokes, that is. When left unpicked, artichokes open up to expose a beautiful purple, string-like flower. Beyond their beauty, it also makes a wonderful Thanksgiving appetizer or side dish.
Think of your tabletop as a blank canvas on which you will create your “tablescape” art. You choose your mediums as any artist would—your surface, linens, flowers and candles. The layering of colors and textures, adding personal touches, all play a part in the delight and ambiance that a beautifully designed table brings to a special occasion. Go as big or as simple as you want! This is your masterpiece, and should represent you and tell the story that you want told.
Let’s start with simple! Here are a few easy, creative and inexpensive ideas that I hope will provide some inspiration to get you started on your tablescape art.
Once a year in autumn, during the darkest new moon in the Hindu month Kartik, Hindu communities and temples will shine bright with millions of candles and lamps. This celebration, known as Diwali – or the festival of lights – dates all the way back to ancient times! Diwali 2018 is celebrated on November 7th and for several days after, depending on the family’s religion and traditions.
The traditional name of this holiday, Deepawali originates from the Sanskrit words deep, meaning light and avali, meaning row. Depending on the region and religion, the duration of the festival (3-5 days) as well as the history and origin of the holiday may vary. Although Diwali is mainly a family affair, Diwali is also a religious day for many Hindus. Many celebrate the holiday to bring prosperity and good health to their families.
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