The wreath!

It's our first Christmas in this neck of the woods and the standard of the local decoration is extremely high - these houses could feature on Christmas cards! Despite the fact that our front door is more than a tad shabby, I was determined to have a wreath that would stand its own ground amongst our new neighbours.

I had always planned to go home-made and bought gold spray with anticipation. However I discovered amongst the box of decorations last years shop bought effort - a rather beautiful white number from, surprise surprise, The White Company. I was pleased to see it looked as good as new. I proudly put it on our front door and gave myself a gratifying nod.

However after just a day, it started dripping yellow sap..eeew. It looked like wee wee. It has had to go. So yesturday I braved the chill and ventured into the garden, saceteers in hand and snipped myself a selection of foliage. I sprayed some flower heads and twigs gold.

I stretched a wire hanger and started to wrap sprigs of holly, laurel and a lovely white and green leaf (I don't know his name), around the hanger, twining and weaving the stems around each other. Every now and then I secured with some garden wire. I then threaded through the odd bunch of berries and gold-sprayed flower heads. A big red bow made from wired ribbon completed my effort. I twisted the hanger hook and covered it with red ribbon to hang on my door number!

I am so proud of my efforts. It's certainly not the most elaborate or fancy on the street but it has given me a wonderful feeling of satisfaction - it was easy to make, looks rather festive and cost me a mere £1 (for the spray). Who would have thought keeping up with the Jones could be so cheap and cheerful!