Holiday Containers and Wreaths to Transform Your Space

Today, I’m excited to share a creative project that adds a touch of winter magic to any space – crafting a winter container. These containers not only defy the winter blues but also spread a contagious cheer throughout your surroundings.

 Step-by-Step: How to Build the Arrangement

1. Prepare Your Container

• Reuse your fall urns, no need to dump out the soil.
• Keep the soil slightly moist so branches insert easily.
• If soil is already frozen, pour hot water over the top or use wet sand instead.

2. Start With the Collar Layer – This is the “draping” greenery that softens the edge.

• Insert long white pine or cedar stems around the outer rim.
• Angle stems downward so they spill naturally over the container.

3. Add the Greenery Base

• Switch to upright greens: fir, spruce, shorter cedar.
• Think of it like building a Christmas tree shape, but looser and organic.

4. Create Vertical Height

• Insert birch logs or tall branches into the center.
• Vary heights for a natural woodland look.

5. Layer in Color + Texture

• Push winterberry branches in between the evergreens so the red berries pop.
• Tuck in pinecones (wire them if needed).
• Add dried hydrangeas for that soft, faded gold touch.
• Finish with a few lotus pods or seed heads for structure.

6. Step Back & Fluff

• Walk around the planter, yes, even outside, so you’re editing from every angle. Add greens or berries where needed until it feels full and balanced.

 Tips for Long-Lasting Winter Containers

• Use a mix of fresh and dried materials
• Spray evergreens with Wilt-Pruf if temps are above freezing
•  Add lights early, before it freezes solid!
• Collect hydrangeas, pinecones, and pods from your own garden to save money
• Use real winterberry, not faux. It holds color until February

I also do wreaths on my windows. I prefer real versus artificial, but this can be costly every year and I do not want to spend the time making them with so many window boxes to fill. So I have a solution! Trader Joe’s has Fraser fir wreaths for $12.99 so I just add berries, embellishments, and ribbon and I have a custom wreath for a quarter of the cost. I also save the embellishments year to year. What do you think?