Decorative Christmas Ideas for With Dried Herbs
 (Read 100+ times)
By Agnes Farside
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Dried herbs are excellent when used as teas, in remedies for ailments, or adding unique flavors to your favorite dishes, but there are many other uses for dried herbs. Two uses for dried herbs that I like are using them in aromatic wreaths or as decorative Christmas garland. Although herbs that have been cut long and dried upside down are the best for these two easy-to-make projects, fresh cut herbs will also work. Throw in a few colorful, dried flowers or holly branches and your friends are sure to lavish you with praise on your creativity.
Items You Will Need for a Wreath
- Straw wreath
- Dried herbs and flowers
- Fresh holly or other evergreen branches
- Thin-gauge floral wire
- Holiday ribbon (optional)
Start at the top of the straw wreath and working counter clockwise; stick the ends of the dried herbs, flowers, and holly branches into the straw wreath. Face them clockwise so that the next layer will cover over the part where the first or bottom layer sticks into the straw wreath, hiding it. Work backwards in this fashion, being sure to cover the inside and outer edge of the straw wreath. Be sure to space your herbs accordingly so that one type of herb is not in only one place. Keep in mind the different colors or shades of your herbs and flowers to ensure that they blend well and flow in an attractive pattern. Use the floral wire where needed to secure the herbs and flowers to the straw wreath.
Tie a bow out of decorative holiday ribbon and attach it to the straw wreath (your choice of where), with the floral wire. For a different look, cut small strips of ribbon and place them among the dried herbs and flowers for a more dramatic look. You are now ready to hang your wreath.
Items You Will Need for Garland
- Rope or heavy wire (length you want the garland to be)
- Thin-gauge floral wire
- Dried herbs and flowers
- Fresh holly or other evergreen branches
- Holiday ribbon (optional)
- Cinnamon sticks (optional)
Assemble multiple varieties of dried herbs, flowers and holly branches together, in small bunches, and secure with the floral wire. Attach these small bundles of herbs to the rope or heavy wire using the floral wire. Make sure to cover the stems with the next bundle and to cover the rope or wire on both sides. Work in one direction. Try to add the bundles in a sequence to give your garland a continuous look. Tie small bows out of the ribbon and inset them in between the bundles of herbs every so often. For a dramatic look, add a large flower such as a sunflower every two to three feet along your garland. Add cinnamon sticks here and there.
NOTE: Over time, dried herbs and flowers tend to drop off, so you may want to hang your wreath or garland outdoors, or in a non-carpeted room for easy clean up.
NOTE: If using fresh herbs and flowers, ensure they have no moisture on them to avoid the development of mold.
NOTE: Because these are dried plants, or will become dried if using fresh, be mindful of fire safety.
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Author Bio Box: Agnes Farside
 Please check out my other articles at: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/110407/agnes_farside.html
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