How crazy that in exactly 2 weeks it's already Christmas day!! I just can't wrap my head around the fact that 2013 is coming to an end! I do love this time of the year, I really do. It's truly the best, the decorations, the magic surrounding Christmas, the lights, the presents, the love...it's the best!

We dedicated last weekend to Christmas decorations, we decorated our little tree, & we made a wreath for our front door & a couple of festive candle jars! We had been collecting branches, pine cones & twigs from various walks in the nearby forest with our decorations in mind. You can easily do the same by picking bits & pieces that nature has to offer in your own garden, nearby forest or park (just make sure you don't pick anything rare & protected!) 

Essentials (for 1 wreath & 1 festive candle jar) :

- 10 thin weeping willow twigs (or a store bought twig wreath base, like this)

- 6 small fir tree branches

- 6 ivy twigs

- 10 small berry branches (we used hawthorn but you could use ivy)

- a few handfuls of small dried pine cones

- a pretty glass jar

- shears

- string

We made the candle jar by wrapping a fir tree branch around the lid, holding it together with a piece of string wrapped around a few times. We slipped some berry branches through the branch/string. We filled the jar with dried pine cones, placed a tea light on a small piece of wood in the middle of the pine cones, so it's safe & stable (& you don't set the whole thing on fire) 

For our wreath we intertwined some fresh weeping willow branches & held the whole thing together with a few pieces of string. Then we wrapped our ivy around, intertwining with the twigs so it holds itself. We did the same thing with the fir tree branches but secured it with string where it was sticking out too much! We then just simply slipped through some colourful berry branches here & there..!

You could definitely use different type of branches/berries, just keep in mind it has to be something that dries well (you don't want your wreath to turn brown after a couple of days..!) Also, make sure you're careful with what you pick, always wash your hands after touching random berries (they are most likely poisonous...well we don't know but you want to be careful!)

Do you have fun making your own Christmas decorations?

// To read previous posts in this 'A Small Guide' series - click here //