The air is crisp. The ground is frozen and all the treasures the forest has to offer are easily visible. This is the perfect time to find a area of the forest that is not private land and is off the beaten track enough that you can gently forage for some greenery for Christmas decorating. ‘Gently’ is important because if we are to protect the forests we have and all the good things they provide, we need to be discriminating in how we gather.

It is not okay to take too much from any one tree, forest floor or general area. The scars will recover if we treat the plants with respect. We are lucky this year because only a skiff of snow remains from the last snowfall and walking in the woods is easy. Foraging for Christmas is such a relaxing and fun thing to do at this time of year, forest bathing but with purpose.

I like to gather a little of each of my favourite Christmas evergreens, from different areas. They will be used for a wreath or two, small indoor decorations and a larger one for outside. Once all my tools are gathered up secateurs/clippers, floral picks, chicken wire, floral frogs, various pots and containers, the greenery sorted, I then have a very satisfying time creating. Years have taught me it is best to have everything I need at hand before I start. I am lucky enough to have a lean-to greenhouse to store everything in but under the eaves, out of rain and snow or in a cool garage works well. If greenery is brought into a warm house, it will dry out quickly and not look fresh for long. Decorations for inside can be made with water in the vase but outside the water would freeze so it is best to leave dry. The cold temperatures will keep everything quite fresh looking for long time. There is also a wax floral spray that can be applied to evergreens to help them last longer. It coats the needles and slows down water loss.

This year I am using clay for some arrangements. It is moist and helps to keep the greenery fresher. It is also very flexible. Clay is expensive so using other materials under it is a good idea, dry floral foam, rocks, pebbles all work and by adding water under the clay it is kept damp longer.

These are some of the forest plants that work beautifully:

There are many types of arrangements you can make yourself. Ikebana is a very simple arrangement that uses very little material. It is asymmetrical, minimalist using three elements and lines. A shallow container is required and a means of securing the plant material.

A large arrangement will consume more material than you imagine so be well prepared. If looking for a splash of red, red carnations last a long time and can be used in conjunction with a floral water pick available at the florists. Red Osier Dogwood works really well and can be found alongside creeks or wet areas. In the arrangement below on the right I used the pink species of Snow Berry, Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii ‘Ariso’. I like natural elements in the decorations but a glue gun will make attaching your favoured trimmings easier. If using Juniper you will need a good pair of leather gloves but the dense foliage is worth it especially if you find some with the blue berries.

For this small mantle arrangement with the battery candle, I used clay over old dry foam. You could scrunch up some chicken wire or oasis (available at the dollar store or a florist) instead of clay. The clay was mounded up above the top of the vase and a depression made in the center to fit the candle. I used some plastic wrap over the clay in the middle to protect the candle battery.

Wreaths can be made in various ways. It is easiest to have a premade frame to which bundles of overlapping greenery can be wired or tied on. Moss can also be used as a lovely base into which items can be inserted or tied on. Spraying the wreath with water occasionally will help make it last longer.A glue gun is useful for attaching any special decorations to the wreath. I made wreaths to sell for a few years and cannot find a single photograph but you will find lots of inspiration on the internet!

Enjoy the walk and have fun!