Episode: #13 9/12/06
Presenter: Melissa King

If you are looking for some inspiration to decorate the house this Christmas without breaking the bank, here are some ideas straight from the garden that will dazzle your family and friends.

There is no better way to announce the holiday season than with a hand crafted door wreath.

They are so easy to make, just start with an oasis wreath and add whatever you have in the garden like cheery hypericum berries, holly and roses. Don?t forget to add fragrant herbs. Filled with bay leaves ? even cordyline foliage and bush moss ? it is about making the most of what is in your garden.

We all get a little caught up in gift giving at this time of the year, and lets face it, it can really hurt the hip pocket, but it doesn?t have to. You have spent all year putting effort into your garden why not use it as a feature in your presents. You can personalise your gifts by combining the best from your garden with a feature from the florist to create an outstanding floral bouquet.

Firstly look at what you have in flower and what striking foliage you can use. There is a whole palette of leaf textures, colours and form to draw from. What you don?t have in your garden you can get from a florist, green grocer or craft shop so you can experiment with different arrangements.

Setting the Christmas table is always a glamorous affair and if you want to really impress, try some of these Christmas table ideas.

Christmas lilies as the feature in a sumptuous bed of hypericum berries, pears and strawberries.

Christmas baubles filled with goodies from the garden.

The best thing about the centre pieces is that they look good, smell great and are good enough to eat.

If you need more inspiration visit the Melbourne flower house in Richmond. Even better you can book in with a group of friends to make your own arrangements and gifts on site.

Now that is an ?inspired? idea, get your Christmas shopping done while catching up with friends.

Melbourne Flower House

60 Regent Street
Richmond VIC 3131
www.melbourneflowerhouse.com
(03) 9415 6440
info@melbourneflowerhouse.com