As a kid growing up in Atchison, my playground was the campus of nearby Benedictine College. Talk about an awesome yard to play in! Especially on winter days when the snow-covered hills were crying out for sledding. We’d bundle up, grab the Radio Flyers, and sled until our fingers and toes were numb. Our sleds were so popular on campus that we left our garage door unlocked so the college students could borrow the Radio Flyers whenever they wanted. Maybe that’s why I was so drawn to this nostalgic door treatment, one of several fabulous looks created by Bev, our floral designer at Nell Hill’s, to inspire you as you dress your door for the holidays (only 41 days left until Christmas!).
To build this sensational display, Bev started with a decorative wooden sled from Nell Hill’s, then picked out some winter floral picks to create a simple swag descending down one side of the sled. She wired in some tree ornaments and finished off with twists of plaid ribbon. This warm winter plaid reminds me of a Pendleton jacket my grandmother Nell Hill (the namesake for my store) used to wear. I loved Grandma Nell so much, that I will always be sweet on this pattern.
Simple Yet Festive
If you are pressed for time, hanging a simple wreath on your door is a great option. But if you have a few extra minutes, embellish the wreath just a bit to up its impact. Bev started this cheerful treatment with a sweet wreath that twists together bright red berries and an assortment of greens. To give it even more pizzazz, she wired in one of the rustic metal bells we’re crazy about this year at Nell Hill’s. The ribbon flourish looks fancy, but is really easy to pull together. All you need is two one-yard sections of wired holiday ribbon. We carry the kind that looks sensational on both sides so when you twist it, there is no “wrong” side showing. Bev created a loop with both ribbons then secured them with a zip tie. It’s a great cheater move for those of us who cannot tie a pretty bow to save our life.
Layered and Lush
This magnolia leaf wreath is so lush and lovely, it could also stand on its own. But look how sensational it is with a few added touches. Bev grabbed a pile of plastic zip ties and got to work, popping in a few red and green tree ornaments, some red berry picks and, at the top, a cardinal and nest. The final flourish: this yummy velvet green ribbon that takes the wreath to a new level.
You’ll notice from these photos that we like to hang front door decor from ribbon loops. If you are like my husband, Dan, and are not a fan of hammering a big nail in your front door, try this trick: Stick a 3M hook upside down on the interior side of your front door, near the top of the door. Secure the ribbon loop on the hook, then cascade it over the top of your door so it hangs down over your front door, serving as hanger for your door treatment.
Casual and Fun
I adore this sweet, simple look – it’s perfect for a farm house or a home with an informal entrance. The show-stealer is this cluster of inexpensive metal bells from Nell Hill’s. They are fairly lightweight and jingle when they are moved, so every time the door opens and closes, it puts you in the holiday mood. Bev clustered the bells with some red berry picks, ribbons and a Merry Christmas tree ornament. I need something unbreakable like this on my door because anything I put up there gets knocked off about three or four times by Dan and Lyric, coming in and out from their morning walks.
Merry and Bright
Here’s a variation on the bells-and-ribbons look above. Simply by using brighter, bolder ribbons, like this red plaid and stripe, the drama shoots up the scale. If your house sits back from the street, select ribbon that has strong colors and sharp contrasts so your door treatment is more visible.
Rich and Romantic
I’m crazy about this elegant treatment that proves holiday decorations don’t have to be traditional red and green to be festive. Bev started with a wonderful juniper berry wreath and played up its soft, romantic feel. She zip tied in a few tree ornaments, twists of lush ribbon and picks of gold frosted berries and leaves.
The wonderful thing about all these treatments is you don’t have to be Bev to pull them off! They are beautiful, but achievable. You just need the right tools – an interesting base (like a wreath or something fun like the sled), some ribbon, winter floral picks and Christmas tree ornaments. Oh, and a pile of plastic zip ties. Can’t wait to see what you put on your door this year!
Next Week … Come into Nell Hill’s to see some of our favorite looks for the holidays this year.
