Garlands and Ribbons

By Arleen M. Kaptur

Garlands are definitely a part of the Holidays. However, people live in different parts of the country and using what nature provides is always the best solution.

Evergreen garlands can be natural or store- bought. With your special touch, you can create a garland that fits wherever it is you live: With floral wire, fasten silver and gold jingle bells. Hang on a door to make "your own music" whenever someone's comes and goes. Take seashells you saved from the beach and spray pain the small ones with festive colors. Then dry, and hot glue them to your garland. Apply the glue to the flattest surface of the shell to attach securely to the garland. You can also make garlands form other material besides evergreen. Cut fabric strips into 2" x 7" lengths. Spread out a length of cotton cord and knot at both ends. Working from the center out, wrap and tie strips around the cord. Place small ornaments in between if you like. In a child's room, use alternating red and white fabric scraps and you have a candy cane effect.

Ribbons add so much creativity to your holiday decorating - and the one most requested "craft" idea is how to tie the perfect Christmas bow: To make a large bow, start with 4-5 yards of 2-1/2" to 3" wide ribbon. Measure 15" from one end and lay the ribbon by the ruler, with that point at the 6" mark. Twist and pinch ribbon to secure. Make a 6" loop, bring it back to the center, and twist and pinch the ribbon again. Make another 6" loop on the opposite side and bring it to the center, twisting and pinching again. Make eight or ten loops, alternating sides. Secure the bow loops by twisting a pipe cleaner around the center of the bow. Tie an extra length of ribbon around the center of the bow and trim the ribbon ends. Attach desired trims using wire or hot glue. The ultimate in Christmas bows. You now have a beautiful ribbon but what do you hang from this masterpiece of ribbon? Hang a single chandelier prism from a wire ornament hanger. Let the tails of the ribbon trail down the sides of the prism. Hang where the sunlight can gently play with the sparkle and truly show the prisms of color. Or hang small toys, framed photos, purchased or homemade snowflakes, large jingle bells, sprigs of fresh holly, or ribbon candy. A few additional ribbon ideas: Hang holiday ornaments in the windows or from doorknobs with varying lengths of ribbon; Wind lengths of holiday ribbon through greenery to adorn a fireplace or tabletop; Replace curtain pulls with ribbon ties; Adorn outdoor lights and the mailbox with bows made from wide holiday ribbons; Make pillows merry by wrapping with ribbon as you would a gift package and place on beds, windowseats, and chairs.

Garlands and ribbons - two fantastic accents for your holiday home. ENJOY!

©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 December

Wishing you and all your loved ones a truly Memorable, Enchanting, and

totally wonderful Holiday Season

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