Our friend, Tammy, flew in for a quick visit over the weekend. We had her over for boozy brunch and later that night went out for pizza at Pizza Beach and margaritas at Sweet and Vicious. Before she got to our apartment, she asked us if we wanted to do a post on flower arrangements for the holidays. Obviously, we couldn’t say no.

One of Tammy’s many master talents is floral design. She designed the bouquets and arrangements for our wedding. Tammy got all of her flowers from the Union Square holiday market and a Bodega. The accents and bark bucket came from Michael’s; we provided the vases. In just forty-five minutes, she showed us how to put together three flower arrangements for the holidays.

Tammy’s Tips for all Flower Arrangements

As Tammy put together the arrangements, she ran through her tips. Brian and I frantically took notes:

• Use 1 tsp of bleach in your vase to prolong the life of the flowers.
• Always use the flower food. You know that packet of food you get from the store? Sprinkle the food into your vases.
• When preparing your flowers, cut the ends at an angle. This helps absorb and attract more water.
• Take away the green leaves on flowers. Since you will use greenery to fill, these leaves will just get in the way.
• Pluck away the dead petals to make your arrangement look lively. You can use the petals as decoration or sprinkle them on your bed.
• If you get back from the store and you find your flowers are wilting, put them in water. This will help them come back to life.
• If you’re starting out, use tape to help you arrange flowers. Use strips of tape to make a grid over the vase opening.

Tips for Arrangement #1:

• When using hydrangeas, cut the stems so they fall just over the edge of the vase.
• Hydrangeas are great. They are big flowers and take up real estate. They do, however, last longer in an oasis (aka the green foam).
• Thistle is a great stem for the holidays. It also adds a different texture to your arrangement. They work great with hydrangeas.
• Greenery should be impactful. You don’t want to take attention away from the flowers.
• Use holiday decor as accents. Pretty much anything goes: gold leaves, candy canes, pine cones, you name it!

Tips for Arrangement #2:

• Need flowers to bloom? Just put in the sun!
• Tulips bloom very fast.
• Pull most of the green leaves off tulips. You can use these leaves as filler.
• Use twine to tie flowers together and use greenery to fill around them. Keep them tied or cut the twine and the flowers will fall into place.
• Tammy’s favorite arrangements are low and compact.
• Once you place in filler, cut the overextending greens away, like a hair cut!
• As you continue to fill and adjust, rotate the arrangement to see from all angles.

Tips for Arrangement #3:

• For small, clear vases, loop long leaves and put in the bottom of the jars. They make unique accents and help cover up the stems.
• For smaller arrangements, hold flowers like a bouquet to help you arrange. If you’re making a bouquet, this is how you would make it.

Holiday Flower Arrangements for any occasion:

For your mother-in-law, work, or elegant party

If you want to impress your mother-in-law or significant other’s parents, make this arrangement. It’s a great host gift for your upcoming holiday party. If you’re looking for ideas for your elegant Christmas party or work event, this works, too!

For your elegant, vibrant party

This sexy arrangement is elegant and vibrant. It’s perfect for your hosted, formal holiday party.

For your friend’s party in a casual setting

How fun are the candy canes? If you’re heading over to a friend’s house for a party, this flower arrangement is a perfect host gift. The candy canes bring a fun element to this arrangement.

Using those tips above, you can start putting together your flower arrangements for the holidays. Tammy left us three gorgeous arrangements that are somehow still alive!

Have a question? Drop us a comment below and we’ll pass on to Tammy!