Decorating your home both indoors and outdoors is an old Christmas tradition. Since you can not buy fresh winter boughs anymore, look in your backyard. A variety of winter greenery can be found in your yard along with other interesting twigs like red dogwood. Just remember when you are removing the plant material, you are pruning the plant. Take into consideration of the plant’s form. You do not want to cut into the tree or shrub but cut around it.
Cedars, pines, and spruces all have a winter fragrance for indoors and last for many weeks. If used as outdoor decorations, they last much longer.
Be careful using boughs by fireplaces and candles. If the evergreens dry out too much, they can become a fire hazard. To keep the boughs fresh, start by cutting the branches and placing the ends in water. Keep in a cool place until you are ready to use them.
Use the boughs in wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces. Adorn with other organic materials like fruit, cinnamon sticks, pinecones, etc.
