How about some garden inspirations for the upcoming festive season? I’ve created a lovely Christmas tree for the birds and a home made wreath inspired by what I’ve found in the house and garden.
Bird tree feast
I’ve bought a small tree in a pot and turned it into a special outdoor tree for the birds this Christmas. It’s easy to do with some food items you probably already have around the house and garden. The pine cones, picked up on dog walks in the woods locally, make great feeders and are very easy to create. Just gently work pieces from bird fat balls into the cone and then wire them to hang on to the tree.
Citrus baskets
Oranges and lemons are very useful to create small hanging baskets for bird food. Just take a piece of the fruit, cut in half, scoop out the fruit flesh and then carefully push a large needle or skewer through either side of the half, thread with some ribbon or wire and knot it either side and them fill up with bird food and hang on the tree. Use a mix of oranges and lemons and the tree will really look amazing.
If you have any more oranges to spare, then try creating patterns in the whole orange by studding or inserting with dried cloves and secure the ribbon around the sphere either with pins or the cloves themselves.
A final idea is to use a combination of nuts and dried fruits of your choice to create colourful garlands for the tree too. Use a large needle, threaded with fine wire or strong cotton, and thread the fruit and nuts into a garland, as long as you require, to decorate the tree. The end result, this beautifully decked tree is a real festive treat for the birds this Christmas.
Festive wreath
Now raid the garden for some greenery and colour to make your own festive door wreath. I bought a couple of moss rings in a local florists and tried my hand at creating my own Christmas decoration that can be used as a table decoration or on the front door. I’ve got plentiful supplies of both holly and ivy growing in the garden and I’ve used some of the lower branches of the Christmas Tree to start the wreath off. You’ll need some pieces of wire and if your holly has no berries you can cheat by buying some red berries on wire to add to the finished wreath. Start off by wiring each piece of greenery you plan to use; holly, ivy and tree branches. Next up work your way around the moss circle, carefully securing each piece with the wire to the moss circle by winding the wire around the frame, until it is covered with a mixture of the greenery. You can also add in some of the pine cones you have left and even spray paint the cones gold or silver before adding. Finish off with adding a wire hook or ribbon loop if you plan to hang it on the door!
Have a great Christmas!
