Winter Decorating Ideas – Cranberry Crafts
Add a Splash of Rich Color by Decorating with Fresh Cranberries
It's so easy to overdo it when it comes to holiday decorating, but elegance is often found in simplicity. So this season, keep things simple and decorate with one of nature's perfect décor accessories: the cranberry.
From table settings, to mantel displays, to garlands and topiaries, there's no end to the number of places that can be enhanced with a lovely cranberry display. Keep it simple or try something elaborate. Either way, the cranberry is a great building block for a number of décor ideas.
Here are a few cranberry craft ideas to get you started.
Display Candles with Cranberries
- Fill a clear cylinder vase about halfway with cranberries. Place a white or cream pillar candle on top (make sure the wick is lower than the top of the vase). Display a few of these together on a mantel or on a table. To add visual interest, fill the vases with different amounts of cranberries and use different sizes of candles.
- Take the above idea and tweak it a bit for the outdoors. Fill galvanized metal buckets with cranberries (or use something else to fill the pail and then layer cranberries on top) and then place a candle inside. Use several of these to line the driveway or front steps to welcome guests.
- Cranberries are buoyant and look great in water displays. Fill a vase about 2/3 of the way up, throw in a few cranberries, and then place a floating candle in the display. It's very simple and adds a rich splash of color to a floating candle display.
Cranberry Ornaments and Topiaries
- Use toothpicks that have been broken in half to attach cranberries to Styrofoam balls (available at craft stores). Cover the ball completely with berries and place them on top of shapely glass candlesticks for a stunning topiary. These look best in groups.
- Take the above idea and use them as ornaments to hang on a Christmas tree. Tie ribbon (white makes a beautiful contrast) around the ball to create a hanger. Or use a Styrofoam cone and make mini cranberry Christmas trees. Use three of varying heights and display them together on a table for a festive centerpiece.
- Using the same principals make a cranberry wreath. Hang it inside or outside.
Flower, Fruit, and Foliage Bouquets
Cranberries can be added to just about any floral bouquet to add color and festive flair.
- Fill a clear vase about half full of berries and water and insert a floral arrangement (white and red roses combined with holly or evergreen is festive). Add more water and cranberries to hide the stems.
- Taking a similar approach, cut a piece of floral foam to fit a clear vase leaving enough room for a layer of cranberries between the foam and the glass. Insert the desired arrangement into the foam. Be creative and consider using fruits, pinecones, and festive greenery along with, or instead of, flowers.
More Cranberry Crafts
- Children will love having a personalized decoration in their rooms. Cut out a cardboard letter, or purchase one from a craft store, and use a hot glue gun to cover it with cranberries. (Make sure children are always supervised when using hot glue). Small versions of these monograms can be used as place cards at the table. If table space is limited place them on the napkin on the plate (rather than above the plate).
- Create garlands and put them all over the house. A sturdy needle and strong hands are needed to string cranberries (because they are very firm) but they're fairly simple to make. Drape them on trees, around stairway railings, on chandeliers, around doorways and windows, or anywhere else that a dash of festive color is desired.
Cranberries can be used in a number of different ways so use your imagination and get creative.
While decorating with cranberries, don't forget that they taste great too! Add them to shortbread, make a cranberry relish, and treat yourself to a holiday favorite – cranberry cider.
Cranberries - Great for Cranberry Crafts
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