Reuse, Refresh & Repurpose: How to Have a Green Christmas

The most wonderful part of the holidays for me here in Guelph is not just the fresh greenery and Christmas trees—it’s the memories. At Royal City Nursery, we celebrate this magical season side by side with nature and show our customers how they can use their favourite holiday decorations year after year in new and exciting ways.
If you’re ready to deck your halls to the next level of festive style, you’re going to love this blog!

How Can I Find New Purpose for Holiday Decorations?

When you’re thinking about holiday decorating, it can be hard to think outside of the box when your festive style is tried and true. When shopping for some new additions this year, think about these unique ways to make holiday decor dazzle with a few twists on classic holiday traditions.

Here’s how you can use holiday decorations in new ways:

Wreaths:

Wreath-making is one of my favourite ways to celebrate the holidays in Guelph. When you’re looking at wreaths using fresh greens, one of the first things I teach is: take the bits that are too small for use from your outside porch pots and use them in your wreath. In wreath decorating, you’re cutting things into 5 ”to 6” lengths to make little bundles almost the size of a corsage. Remember, if you need help learning how to do this—come in and talk to us!

Dried flowers harvested from the garden add a rustic holiday charm, providing a delicate contrast to the evergreen base and can really add a personal touch. I also like adding ornaments to fresh greenery arrangements and wreaths, and we’re fully-stocked with a great selection this year in our Winter Wonderland!

Table Centrepieces:

To make something new for your home this season, go for some modern centrepiece designs. Holiday or winter themed containers, vases, planter pots and even mugs make perfect vessels for seasonal creativity and can also be a really neat way to tie some sentimentality into home decor. If you have some special pieces that have been in the family for generations—bring them out and make them shine!

When you’ve lined up those perfect pieces, stuff them with fresh greens, holiday ornaments, pine cones, fairy lights, and other memorable trinkets to create something to talk about. Whether on your holiday dining room table, or on the mantle, these decor ideas are beautifully-easy to do.

More Ideas for Refreshing Holiday Centrepieces and Wreaths

Change the Colour Scheme: The holidays don’t always have to be red and green! Think about shaking up your colour scheme this year with something new and exciting. We love silver and blue, white and gold, and even soft pastels for a cozy, romantic vibe.
Candles & Lights: Add some warmth to your centrepieces with faux candles, or even battery-operated LED lights. Tuck them into greenery for a warm and inviting ambiance.
Personalized Accents: Incorporate personal touches such as family photos, handwritten notes, or heirloom ornaments into your wreaths and centrepieces to make them truly special.

Repurposing Garden Lights for the Holidays

If last year’s lights have kicked the bucket, get creative with your garden lights instead! A lot of the patio lighting that we might have used outside for entertaining in the summertime can easily be out again for the winter season, and we have several types of lighting in-store for those last-minute lighting ideas.

Here are some fun ways to reuse outdoor lights from the summer and fall months for your festive holiday decor to create your own enchanting spaces:

String Lights in Jars: Place string lights inside clear glass jars or Mason jars to create charming, glowing lanterns and line them on windowsills or add them to table centrepieces.
Lighted Pathways: Create a magical pathway to your house with twinkling garden lights.
Glowing Shrubs & Trees: Wrap garden lights through outdoor shrubs and trees to create a mesmerizing display in your yard. It’s a simple yet effective way to bring holiday cheer to your exterior.
Lighted Garlands: String garden lights through garlands and wreaths for some spellbinding outdoor pizazz. You can also hang lights on your porch railings and around your door frame for added pop.
Ornament Mobile: Hang a variety of ornaments and lights from a circular frame or embroidery hoop for an Instagram-worthy focal point and show it off in your living room or entrance to greet guests over the holidays.

How to Use Household Items as Holiday Decor

How can your favourite holiday mug collection become your new Christmas decor? Now that you’re knee-deep in ideas for decorating, here are some more tips for getting festive at home:

Mug Planters: Find your best mugs and fill them with some small potted plants like poinsettias or succulents. These look great on windowsills, tabletops, and make the perfect little presents, too!
Vase Centrepieces: Repurpose vases to create stunning holiday centrepieces and fill them with fresh flowers, evergreen branches, and even candy canes for a cheerful and fragrant display.
Holiday-themed Bowls: Use decorative bowls to display holiday treats such as candies, nuts, or potpourri, or use them to make unique plant arrangements for the holidays.

When wrapping up your Guelph holiday decor, it’s ok to get creative! Go beyond the Christmas tree this year and find new ways to bring holiday cheer indoors and out—and don’t forget to check out Royal City Nursery for all things festive, merry and bright!

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