Looking for a last-minute Halloween costume for you or your kids? Instead of dropping close to $100 at the Halloween warehouse, get inspired by your favorite blooms and make this adorable DIY flower costume instead. It’s fast, fun and cheap: If you don’t already have the supplies lying around your house, you can find them at your local dollar store! Just follow this simple tutorial and you’ll be blossoming in the spotlight at your Halloween party.
Flower Costume Materials Needed
Laundry basket* Brown wrapping paper 6 long-stemmed flowers 12-foot pet tie-out rope (or regular rope) Yarn Adhesive tape Scissors Hot glue gun Thick plastic headband
* You’ll be wearing the basket around your waist, so make sure it’s big enough for you to fit in it
How to Make a Flower Headband
Cut off the top of one of the flowers, leaving about an inch and a half of the stem in tact below the head of the flower. Remove a large leaf from the stem as well.
Position the leaf and flower flat on the top of the headband, off-center and slightly tilted forward so the face of the flower points out to the front of the headband.
Using a hot glue gun, carefully glue the leaf and the flower to the headband.
For extra security, use yarn to tie the flower and leaf to the headband. Tie the stem directly underneath the flower petals so the yarn doesn’t peek through.
How to Make a Flower Pot Costume
Turn the laundry basket upside down. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut out the bottom of the basket. The hole should be big enough for you to comfortably fit inside.
Sit the basket right side up. One by one, stand up the remaining five flowers inside the basket, with the stems flat against the inside front wall. To attach each flower to the basket and to keep it from shifting, tightly tie the top, middle and bottom parts of each stem to the basket. (Tip: When you’re done wearing your costume, you can simply snip the yarn to remove and reuse the flowers!)
Attach the rope to each handle of the basket to create “suspenders” that will go over your shoulders and hold up the basket around your waist. We used pet tie-out line; the hooks on each end of the rope can be easily clipped on to the basket.
To transform your basket into a realistic flower pot, cover it with brown wrapping paper. (Don’t forget to wrap the inside of the basket too!)
Tie a fall-themed ribbon around the basket, just below the rim, to give the pot an extra-festive look.
And, of course, a costume isn’t complete without some accessories! Add a bit of horticultural flair to your look by carrying a watering can (or a basket of gardening tools) and wearing gardening gloves.
How would you add your own personal touch to this DIY flower Halloween costume?
Happy Earth Day!It’s time to show Mother Nature some love.We have plenty of great ways you can celebrate Earth Day, and help the environment at the same time.
Read on to find out ways you can care for the planet on Earth Day.
1. Plant trees outside, decorate with flowers inside
Flowers and plants aren’t just decorative items for our backyards — they’re natural air purifiers. Through the process of photosynthesis, they remove toxins from the air we breathe. So, to help make the environment a bit greener and cleaner on Earth Day, plant some trees outside with your friends, then buy flowers and plants for your home or office.
No room for new plants? Find a local park or organization that needs some help with landscaping and lend it a hand, or make a DIY terrarium for your small living space.
2. Make eco-friendly crafts
Teach your kids all about preserving the environment, and have fun doing it! There are tons of great eco-friendly craft ideas out there for your children to enjoy, and most of them can be done with natural or reusable materials you already have at home.
Here’s an easy one to try. To help support your neighborhood’s bird population, have your kids cover a pinecone with smooth peanut butter and then roll it in birdseed. Hang the pinecone up outside with a piece of string, and then watch the beautiful birds show up at your doorstep!
3. Reduce, reuse, recycle
Commit to living by the three R’s — on Earth Day and every day. Avoid packaged and disposable plastic products, cut down on buying products you don’t need, and use cloth shopping bags and reusable water thermoses. All these strategies help you drastically decrease the amount of trash you produce at home and on the go.
When you’re all done using your products, make sure to toss any paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum items into a recycling bin. But before you throw it away, ask yourself: Can I use this for something else? You’ll be surprised at how many items have multiple uses. Just use your imagination or browse for some ideas on Pinterest to see how you can turn your trash into treasure.
4. Give to those in need
Overwhelmed by the clutter in your home? Instead of filling up your garbage cans, celebrate Earth Day by donating your unwanted and unused belongings to a local charity. You’ll produce less waste, your stuff will be given a second life, your home will be more organized, and you’ll be doing a service to the community.
5. Organize a litter cleanup crew
We all have that one neighborhood park, street, or highway that could use a thorough cleaning. So this year, celebrate Earth Day by grabbing some garbage bags and gloves, rallying your neighbors, and heading out to rid your town of litter. Some companies even give cleanup supplies to cleanup groups, and you can schedule a time for the sanitation department to pick up the trash. You’ll make your community a cleaner and safer place to live not only for you but the local wildlife too.
6. Clean your home with environmentally friendly products
Since you’re already tidying up your neighborhood, set aside some time for spring cleaning at home too. But to really pay tribute to the holiday, get rid of all your chemical cleaning products that could potentially hurt the environment and replace them with more natural cleaning solutions. For example, instead of using harsh bleach to clean your kitchen, swap it out for an orange-based cleaner. (It’s not just healthier; it smells much better too!)
If you’re a DIY maven, consider making your own cleaning product. The tried-and-true water and vinegar solution makes a great multi-surface cleaner, and you can scour the internet to find out how you can make your own clothing detergent, soap, and more.
7. Cook an Earth Day dinner with locally grown food
You’re the hostess with the most-est, and you want to treat your family to a good homespun dinner on Earth Day. To make it a true eco-meal, shop for only locally produced organic meat, fruit, and veggies. They’re raised without harmful pesticides and chemicals, and they require fewer natural resources (like gasoline) to ship to your neighborhood store. You can even grow your own herbs at home.
8. Leave your car in the driveway
Have somewhere to go on Earth Day? Cut down on your carbon footprint and find a way to get there without your car. Take a walk with your dog, dust the cobwebs off your bike and take it for a spin, or carpool with your fellow travelers on the bus. Bonus: You won’t have to pay for gas, and you’ll burn some calories too!
But don’t skip out on your car only on Earth Day. Make it a regular habit, especially during the warmer months.
9. Conserve water
We often turn on the sink, flush the toilet, or jump in the shower without giving a second thought to how much water we’re wasting. Celebrate Earth Day by putting a new water-saving plan into action for the whole year. Here are some small ways you can make big changes to your water usage.
Turn the faucet off while you’re brushing your teeth, washing dishes, or lathering your hands with soap.
Don’t run your washing machine unless you have a full load.
Switch to low-flow showerheads and faucets.
Fix any leaky faucets.
If you want cold water, just keep a pitcher in your fridge; don’t run your tap water.
Spread mulch over the plants and trees in your backyard; it helps them retain moisture so you don’t have to water them as often.
Don’t wash veggies under running water; fill up a bowl with water and clean them in there instead.
Use dropped ice cubes or leftover water from your pet’s bowl to water your plants.
Only flush the toilet when necessary; don’t drop tissues or other garbage into the bowl.
Take shorter showers.
10. Turn down the lights
Just like water, energy is another valuable resource that we often waste. Conserve energy — and cut down on electricity costs — by turning off the lights when they’re not in use and switching to CFL lightbulbs. Give your kids a fun Earth Day lesson on when they should and should not turn on the lights, and work together to make cute signs that you can hang up next to the light switches.
With the noisy swarms of couples and the irrationally high menu prices, going out for Valentine’s Day is more of a hassle than a luxury. And with Valentine’s Day 2015 falling on a Saturday, you can imagine the hustle and bustle to be extra hectic. Who needs that when you can create a five-star experience right out of your own kitchen? Here are 20 tips how to plan a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for two at home!
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 1: Prepare your food in advance.
The No. 1 mood-killer for your Valentine’s Day dinner? The stress of rustling up a last-minute meal. Don’t waste precious together time scuttling around the kitchen. Instead, prepare and cook all of your food well in advance. That way, you can sit down and truly enjoy the most important part of the night: your sweetie.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 2: Cook together.
There’s no rule that says cooking a Valentine’s Day dinner has to be a one-person job. Consider making your meal together as a couple. You can have fun playing and experimenting with the ingredients, or you can get sensual and feed each other as you go along. You don’t even have to sacrifice that luxurious touch you get at your favorite restaurant; simply pick up high quality ingredients (if ordering steak, be sure to get the right cut). Whatever you do, you’ll be creating some unforgettable memories … and food!
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 3: Ignite your passion with food.
Love potions aren’t just a bunch of fairy tale fluff. They actually exist! Certain foods are known as romance-boosting aphrodisiacs, including oysters, saffron, ginger, asparagus, garlic (we’re not kidding!), basil, figs and strawberries. You can find a full list of sensuous eats on Celebrations.com. Be sure to incorporate some (or all!) of these into your menu to heat things up on V-Day.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 4: Keep it simple.
Only two words describe the perfect Valentine’s Day cuisine: light and simple. You want your meal to fill you up—not weigh both of you down. Try these delicious yet delicate Valentine’s Day dinner recipes that’ll satisfy you both … and save you the hassle of whipping up a complicated feast.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 5: Make dessert easy.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 6: Give your dining space a quick makeover.
Celebrating V-Day in the same kitchen or dining room that you eat in every night might be anything but exhilarating—unless you think outside the box.Change the everyday scene by simply rearranging a few pieces of furniture. You’ll feel like you’re in a brand-new home or, better yet, a fancy restaurant (minus the crowds)!
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 7: Make a keepsake Valentine’s Day menu.
Give your feast some true restaurant appeal: Print out your menu on Valentine’s Day themed cardstock, or create your own chalkboard menu sign. You can keep the menu card as a precious token of your night together, or you can reuse the chalkboard sign as a menu for your weekly dinner specials.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 8: Enhance your food with wine.
True love is like good wine; it gets even better with age! So go ahead and spoil yourselves: Complement the exquisite flavors of your Valentine’s Day dinner with a bottle of fine wine. Your sweetheart is definitely worth it.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 9: Break out the fine china.
If ever there is a more perfect occasion to put that fine china to good use, it’s Valentine’s Day. Lay out some gorgeous linens in shades of red, white and pink, and then set the table with your best dinnerware, glassware and silverware. Then comes the pièce de résistance: an eye-catching floral centerpiece. Your honey will feel like royalty when they finally settle down at the dinner table.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 10: Set the mood with candles.
To create a softer, more enchanting ambiance, turn the lights down low (but make sure it’s still bright enough to see!) and scatter plenty of romantic candles across the tablescape.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 11: Give your celebration some personality.
Add a striking personal touch to your celebration by making your own Valentine’s Day décor and gifts, like these handmade roses and this Valentine’s Day coupon book. Nothing says “I love you” quite like a gift that’s handmade and heartfelt.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 12: Decorate your home with heart-shaped anything.
Speaking of hearts, they should be in abundant supply throughout your V-Day dinner décor. Sprinkle them wherever you can: Get heart-shaped ice cube molds, scatter heart-shaped doilies across the table, string up a couple of adorable popcorn hearts or bake a few delicious heart-shaped treats. Hearts galore for the one that you adore!
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 13: Pick a unique Valentine’s Day dinner theme.
If you’re not into the hearts, rose petals and lace, pick a different dinner theme that suits your interests as a couple. If you love the beach, turn your dining room and living room into a seaside escape with seashells and other natural elements. Mini honeymoon, anyone?
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 14: Make a playlist with meaning.
Instead of playing those cheesy, played-out love songs that don’t really have any significance to you and your darling, make a playlist of all the tunes that you love listening to together … even if it means putting The Spice Girls on your queue. Impersonal songs just become background noise, no matter how lovey-dovey the lyrics may be. If a song means something to your relationship, play it.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 15: Dress up.
Just because you’re celebrating at home doesn’t mean you can’t get fancy. Wear an outfit that your sweetie loves seeing you in, or blow them away with something new and stunning! Tell your Valentine to suit up too. Or, if your dinner date is a surprise, set out some elegant clothes they can quickly change into when they arrive.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 16: Play a game.
Sure, you know your sweetheart inside and out, but there’s always something new to learn! Play a fun Valentine’s Day game to get to know them on an even deeper level … and have some laughs doing it.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 17: Find a babysitter, or have a kid-friendly Valentine’s Day dinner.
If you have kids and want to spend some much-needed alone time with your honey, make arrangements with a babysitter way in advance so you don’t have to scramble for one at the last minute. If you end up sitter-less, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t include your kids in the romantic evening! Make your kids feel extra-special by asking them to help you create the menu for the night. Then, they can make believe they’re waiters at a swanky restaurant and serve the meal to the couple of honor: mommy and daddy!
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 18: Do the dishes tomorrow.
Don’t stress about cleaning up after dinner. Put the dishes aside until the next morning. Chores never end, but Valentine’s Day comes but once a year. Devote it to your one and only—nothing else.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 19: Be a kid for the night.
Don’t feel the need to be serious all the time. After dinner, do something you both enjoyed as kids or as high school sweethearts, like ice skating, bumper cars, video games, laser tag … whatever your inner child desires!
Valentine’s Day Dinner Tip No. 20: Don’t stick to a schedule.
Finally, be spontaneous! You don’t have to stick to a precise plan in order to have a good time. Sometimes the best memories come from our most random ideas. If the two of you get the impulse to do something before, during or after your Valentine’s Day dinner, do it!
How will you make your at-home Valentine’s Day dinner special for your sweetheart?
Veteran’s Day is the perfect time to salute the men and women who have dedicated their lives to defending the red, white and blue as everyone is getting into the Thanksgiving spirit. Although we may not realize it, military heroes/veterans live and work all around us. 1-800-Flowers.com has a few military heroes and military family members of our own! Meet the brave 1800Flowers military heroes, whom we proudly call our co-workers, and find out which patriotic flower arrangements are their favorite.
John, who tackles new business challenges head-on with his team, joined the 1800Flowers family in December 2012. Before then, he served in the U.S. Army from 2003-2008, and then he served in the Army Reserves from 2009-2012.
Why He’s Proud to Be a U.S. Military Veteran:
“My wife and I share the same values as many military families. We’re loyal to each other and strive to be selfless with our loved ones. Though those qualities are not necessarily original, they are held extraordinarily high by military members and veterans. And that makes us feel like we are part of a special community.”
Favorite Patriotic Flower Arrangement: All White Lily Bouquet “It’s traditional, pure and regal, like the army values.”
Jeanne, who has worked in sales, customer service, billing and reception here at 1800Flowers for the past 20 years, may not have served in the military herself, but she knows firsthand what it’s like to be part of a military family. Her son Billy has been serving in the U.S. Army since 2006 as Sargeant Telecommunications Specialist.
Why She’s Proud to Be the Mom of a U.S. Army Soldier:
“My son Billy keeps really busy and has been to Alaska, Iraq and Afghanistan, and is presently in Clarksville, Tenn. He is coming to New York sometime in the beginning of June for two weeks and will then be going to Germany for three years. Billy makes me proud that he is serving our country!”
Favorite Patriotic Flower Arrangement: Tie a Yellow Ribbon “I really like this arrangement for any American holiday with the yellow ribbon and the red, white, and blue flowers.”
The bridal bouquet is more than a bunch of flowers that you carry down the aisle or use as a prop for your wedding photos. It’s a living, breathing symbol of a fresh start — the beginning of a beautiful, happy, and exciting new chapter in your life with your loved one.
That’s why picking the right arrangement is one of the most important decisions a bride has to make. But sometimes, finding a bridal bouquet with the right size, shape, colors, and flowers to match your wedding-day style is no easy task.
Need some help making sure your wedding flowers are a match made in heaven for your big day? Here are a few tips from the pros on how to choose a bridal bouquet that’s perfect for you and your wedding.
Selecting your bridal bouquet shape and size
The first step is to determine what shape and size bouquet will work best for you. “Brides should consider their size and body type along with the dress style when choosing the size and shape of the bouquet,” says Margaret Fleegal, owner and bridal director for Twinbrook Floral Design. “The bouquet should be appropriate for the overall vision of the wedding as well as proportionate to the bride’s size and height.”
There are quite a few different options for you to choose from when it comes to the size and shape of the arrangement, and each one complements certain body and dress types better than others. You’ll want to pick something that flatters you yet doesn’t draw any attention away from you.
Here are a few shapes to consider.
Teardrop
The teardrop bouquet is round at the top and pointed at the bottom, like an inverted droplet. It’s a great match for brides who are shorter in stature, since it creates the illusion of length. On the flipside, it’s also a good option for taller brides since it draws the eye downward and takes the focus away from your height. But because of its tendency to put the focus on the bottom half of your body, this arrangement should be avoided by pear-shaped brides.
Cascading
This bouquet is round at the top and has a waterfall of flowers that flows out from the bottom and over the bride’s hands. It works well for brides who have a full figure or a large, extravagant gown. But be careful: If all the beautiful details are in the skirt of your gown, you might want to steer clear of this bouquet shape since you don’t want to hide them. But if you have a long, dramatic train at the back of your dress, the cascade bouquet balances out the look quite nicely.
Nosegay
Small, round, and compact, these arrangements are the perfect way to add some height to a bride who is on the shorter side. But if you have a taller or wider figure, this tiny bouquet will only make you look bigger than you actually are, so opt for a larger arrangement instead.
Photo courtesy of Twinbrook Floral Design
Round
In a round bouquet, the flowers are arranged in the shape of a ball. Its circular shape harmonizes well with tall, slim brides with straight-lined dresses. It’s probably not the best choice if you have a rounder figure, however, because this bouquet will only accentuate your curves.
Arm sheath
This long-stemmed bouquet is meant to be cradled in the crook of your arm, like a baby. This is another great option for taller brides, since its length will detract from your height. It’s not a good pick, however, for shorter brides. Its big size will look too heavy and overbearing for anyone with a small build.
So, the rule of thumb is: Taller, more full-figure brides should stick to larger bouquets; shorter, more petite brides should go for smaller ones.
But there’s also one other thing to keep in mind when deciding between small bridal bouquets versus large bridal bouquets. “Brides should also consider their budget when choosing the size of their bouquets,” Fleegal says. “The size of the bouquet is directly related to the expense.” So, the bigger the arrangement, the more you’ll pay for it. If you have a tight budget, you may not want to go overboard when selecting a large bouquet. Plus, you need to make sure your bouquet is comfortable to hold! You don’t want your wedding-day blooms to make you hunch or tip over.
Your florist can better help you choose a bridal bouquet shape and size that matches your figure and your wedding dress, so make sure you show them lots of pictures during your first consultation. “We recommend brides prepare a virtual vision board with a collection of photos that they find appealing. Brides can also review bridal magazines, wedding websites, Pinterest, and other social media sites to assist with the look that they envision for their wedding,” Fleegal says. “This is very helpful during the consultation process. We also discuss the style and color of a bride’s dress during her consultation, so a bride should supply a photo of her dress as well.”
Choosing the flower colors and types for your bridal bouquet
Already having your wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses picked out makes choosing your favorite colors and flowers a lot easier. Wedding dresses come in many shades of white — and some even have accent colors — so if you know what you and your ladies will be wearing, then you’ll know what complementary colors to choose in order to make your flowers pop. Again, remember to bring photos of the wedding dress and the bridesmaids dresses. If you have swatches, those will be even more helpful to your florist.
There are quite a few routes you can take when it comes to your bouquet hue. Here are the four types of color combinations you can choose from.
Seasonal bridal bouquet (e.g., pastels for spring, bold colors for winter, warm colors for fall, and bright colors for summer)
Although you can go with pretty much any color theme you want, there are still some color pitfalls you’ll want to avoid. First, a solid white bridal bouquet held against a white wedding dress may not photograph well. So, if you’re leaning toward a white bouquet, consider adding an accent color or some greenery to make the arrangement stand out in photos.
Dark colors are also tricky. “We recommend avoiding receding colors, since they can appear as ‘holes’ in photos. Dark purple and dark blue would be an example of this.” Fleegal says.
Once your color theme is ready to go, you can start thinking about what flowers come in the hues you’ve chosen. Florists can give you an in-person demonstration of which flowers work well with your theme, as well as what different types of flowers look good together. “During our consultation process, we work with fresh flowers at the table to show the brides several choices,” Fleegal says. “This ‘live and in-person’ concept seems to assist brides in forming their floral visions.”
Even though your heart may belong to a specific kind of flower, keep in mind that a particular bloom may not be in season during the time of your wedding. Picking out-of-season blossoms can pose problems for brides. “Although flowers are available year-round (for the most part), when grown out of season, they can be small in size and of poor quality,” Fleegal says. “A bride should also always expect to pay premium price for flowers that are grown out of their traditional season.”
Working closely with your florist will help you avoid this problem. They’ll show you some alternatives that will still make you happy — without breaking the bank. “Our advice for a budget-conscious bride is to be realistic about the types of flowers that will stay within your vision but not destroy your budget,” Fleegal says. “We encourage most brides to make sure their bouquet is exactly what they want. After all, it is their special day! We can show them other areas to trim their budget so they can splurge on themselves.”
Photo courtesy of Twinbrook Floral Design
Picking a bridal bouquet with personality
You can also bring a personal touch to every bouquet your florist shows you. “Many brides will add a brooch, pin, or locket that has significance to their life,” Fleegal says. “Some brides choose to wrap their bouquet in lace from their mothers’ wedding gowns or add a specific flower that symbolizes a lost loved one.”
For a bridal bouquet with even more personality, accent it with some items that say something about you, such as seashells (if you’re a beach lover) or golf tees (if you love playing a few rounds on the big green). It’s your shining moment, so be yourself!
Remember when we decked the halls with tissue paper flowers? Well, now it’s time to put a fancy twist on an old favorite. The most romantic day of they year is almost here, so let’s get your house ready for Cupid’s arrival by showing you how to make tissue paper roses! They bring a beautiful handcrafted touch to your Valentine’s Day décor, and they even make a charming gift for that someone special. Here’s how to make them.
Materials for DIY tissue paper roses
Red tissue paper (one sheet makes two roses)
Wooden skewers (one per rose)
Clear adhesive tape
Green adhesive tape
Scissors
Twine or ribbon
How to make tissue paper roses
Take one sheet of red tissue paper and crumple it into a ball. Carefully open the sheet again and flatten it out, making sure not to rip it.
Lay the tissue paper vertically and cut it in half, from bottom to top.
Fold each cut piece in half vertically twice to create a longer, skinnier rectangle.
Turn the rectangle so that it’s lying horizontally with the folded side at the top. Pinch one of the bottom corners and gently roll the tissue paper inward toward the opposite corner.
Make sure that the center is the highest point of the flower, and that the tissue paper moves lower and lower from the center as you continue to roll it.
When you’re done rolling your flower, place it on one end of a wooden skewer and secure it with adhesive tape.
Using your scissors and green construction paper, cut out a few leaf shapes with stems. To make the leaves look more natural, color them with a dark green permanent marker.
Starting at the top of the skewer, tightly wrap a thin strip of green tape around the wooden stick and work your way down until you reach the bottom of the stick. As you move along, place a few leaves onto the skewer and wrap them with the tape as well.
Repeat steps 1-8 for each flower you’d like to make.
Place your finished flowers into a mason jar. To add a homey touch, tie a piece of twine or festive ribbon around the mouth of the jar.
Of course, if crafting is not your thing, you can always surprise your special someone with Valentine’s Day roses. Sure, sending flowers might take as much effort as making them, but they still make for a great addition to anyone’s Valentine’s Day decor.
If you want a casual, low-maintenance option to decorate your Christmas tree with, try creating these super-fun, super-festive tissue paper flowers. They look just like real flowers, and their decorating potential isn’t limited to Christmas trees: Use them to dress up wreaths, garland, gift boxes, baskets, curtain rods, flower pots, and more. Plus, you can enjoy making this easy Christmas craft with your kids — no cleanup required.
Materials needed for tissue paper flower ornaments
Red, green, and white tissue paper (about 6-8 sheets of tissue paper per flower)
Scissors
Ruler
Floral wire
How to make tissue paper flower ornaments
Neatly stack six to eight sheets of tissue paper, one on top of the other. Pile them in any color pattern you wish: You can use one color or alternate colors for each layer. Use your imagination to make each flower unique, like the ones shown above.
Trim the stack according to the size you want your flower to be. You can trim it down to a 10 by 10 square or 7 by 12 rectangle. The smaller you cut the pile, the smaller your flower will be.
Fold the tissue paper accordion style into 1-inch-wide folds.
Lay the tissue paper accordion flat on a table. Fold a 10-inch piece of floral wire in half and wrap it around the center of the accordion. Twist the floral wire right below the accordion to prevent the tissue paper from unfolding. There will be a few extra inches of floral wire sticking out; you’ll use this to attach your flower to your tree.
Trim the two ends of the accordion to create either round or pointed edges. Round edges will give you a flower that looks like a rose or peony; pointed edges will create poinsettia-like petals. The image above shows what each type of petal looks like on a finished flower. (The red and white flowers have rounded petals; the green flower pointed petals.)
Fan out the accordion on each side of the floral wire.
One by one, slowly and very gently start pulling each layer of tissue paper up and toward the center of the accordion, away from the floral wire. Do this on each side of the floral wire.
When you’re done, carefully fluff up the petals to fill any empty spaces. Use the wire to attach your gorgeous tissue paper blossom to a branch on your Christmas tree…or to anything else you think could use a festive and flowery touch!
Bonus: When Christmas is over, save your flowers and use them as decorations for your next birthday party, barbecue, baby shower, or bridal shower.
Sometimes, you don’t even need a special reason or occasion to tell someone how great they are. If you know someone who brightens your every day, there are plenty of ways to return the favor. Here’s how to make someone smile … just because!
There isn’t a single person in this world who can resist smiling—inside and out—when they’re handed a beautiful bouquet of blooms. With so many different colors and varieties to choose from, you can find the perfect arrangement to make your loved one’s day go from ordinary to extraordinary.
For the one who always knows exactly how to sweeten up your day, no just-because gift could possibly be better than sugar! Whether your friend is a laid-back snacker or a gourmet foodie, they’ll sure feel appreciated when these treats land on their doorstep.
It’s always a celebration when your favorite pal is around. So put those glasses in the air and say “Cheers!” to the one who makes everything fun. From wine glasses to oversized decorative martini glasses, a gift inspired by your friend’s choice drink will definitely be a hit. Bottoms up!
Thanks to that someone special, there’s no shortage of hugs whenever you need them. Show them how important their unfailing support is to you: Give them a totally adorable, totally squeezable stuffed animal so they can have unlimited hugs of their own!
Whether they call you every day to see how you’re doing or send you a daily text to make you smile, your loved one never forgets about you. Thank them with a small piece of jewelry that’ll remind them that you’re always thinking of them too.
Sometimes words don’t seem to be enough when it comes to telling someone how much it means to have them in your life. But a message written from the bottom of your heart, acknowledging all the special things they do, can often make the biggest impression in the simplest way.
It’s time to go pink: October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Charities are teaming up with women across theU.S.to raise awareness of the disease, fight for a cure and provide support to affected families.
According to the American Cancer Society, even though breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among American women, there are more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors in the country today. And that’s the message being sent out to all ladies not just in October, but all year long: There is hope! With regular breast exams, mammograms and early-detection screenings, tens of thousands of breast cancer cases can be prevented each year.
Whether you want to rally your friends and raise money for the cause, or pitch in your own time or money to support your favorite organization, there are plenty of ways you can honor the promising spirit of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here’s how you can make your mark:
Fundraise
Participating in a charity event is one of the most popular—and empowering—ways to raise money for breast cancer research. Gather the support of friends and family members, make new friends, and spread the inspiration throughout your neighborhood. Lots of organizations sponsor breast cancer awareness walks. Pick the one that fits you best, or join all of them! Here are three to get you started:
If you prefer to be out in the frontlines in the battle against breast cancer, you can make a difference by volunteering your time. You can partner with one of many organizations to help give emotional support to women who have been diagnosed, or provide educational resources about preventing the disease. These three volunteer programs are great options to consider during National Breast Cancer Awareness month:
Don’t have much time to volunteer or walk for a cure? You can donate to the cause by purchasing products you love. Many companies like 1800Flowers.com and General Mills give proceeds to charity every time you buy their National Breast Cancer Awareness Month merchandise. Or, you can even make a speedy online donation by visiting one of these organizations’ websites:
