Winter can be such a drab and dark time that it's nice to have something to brighten up your front door. These Christmas planters are easy to make, even for beginners.
After the season ends remove the decorations, and you will still have something to bridge the gap into spring. You will need the following items to start. Greens, either store bought or gathered, pine cones, branches. Container for planter. Pruning shears, or sharp knife. 2 strong grocery bags. Sand, or soil. Waterproof ornaments, and ribbon. [Optional] Florist wire to secure ornaments, pine cones, ribbon. Here's how to make them in a few easy steps.
- The most important step will be to use FRESH GREENS. They look better, last longer and you will not end up with little piles of brown needles on your floor. Gather your greens from the woods, or purchase them at Nurseries, and Grocery Stores, or even Home Improvement stores. A quick way to tell if they are fresh is to give them a light shake…if little falls off, they are usually fresh.
- The amount of greens that you will require depends upon the size of the container. I have found that anywhere from 2 — 4 bundles [a bundle is approx. a small handful, or 4 or 5 stems] of store bought greens will usually fill a larger container. I would suggest buying a little bit more so you don't run out halfway through your project. Take a walk outside and look for branches, and twigs bare, and with berries, holly, anything that has winter color, or great texture. You will be surprised what you can find growing that will be suitable.
- Slip one plastic garbage bag into the other, and fill with enough soil, or sand to snugly fill your container. Tie a tight knot in it, and place upside down in your container. If you have a suitable container left over from summer still filled with soil…and who doesn't, use that instead of the plastic bag.
- Start with your largest branches use pruning shears, or knife to cut a slight angle on the bottom, this will make them easier to pierce the plastic bag. Your goal is to build from the center of the container outwards, with the largest or tallest branches being in the center. Decorations will fill in the gaps later. I like to use dogwood twigs for their bright red color, they look spectacular in the center, and add some height. Pine, or fir boughs will fill in the area around them, and the floppier cedar boughs for the edges.
- Once your center branches are in place, poke some medium length branches into either side of your container. To give your container a symmetrical and balanced look, give it a half turn, and do the same one more time.
- Using shorter or floppier branches fill in the outer edges, until you have used up all of your greens.
Here's the fun part, finish with a giant bow, wired pine cones, and suitable outdoor decorations.
Make sure to water frequently in order to keep the greens moist and fresh.
