My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

A Very Merry Dark and Moody and bring it in from the Woods Trendy Christmas Cheer

This Christmas the main aesthetic for 2023 is best described as… visiting Grandpa’s cabin in the woods. The entire look is under-stated but oh so nostalgic. Each week I will show you my take on the trends starting with:

Bowls full of what just grew this perfectly behind the cabin. The “I grew this" trend with a renewed appreciation for green spaces is definitely apparent in the Christmas decor.

A Very Merry Dark and Moody and bring it in from the Woods Trendy Christmas Cheer flower arrangement by Christine de Beer

Foraged greenery (or at least greenery or “greenery” styled to look foraged) is high on the Christmas trend list this year. Something like… “we left these here to condition to arrange later, after we drink our hot chocolate” style arrangements.

Dark and Moody Christmas decor for 2023

Large containers filled with fragrant and natural foliage… and then you add a simple ribbon, tinsel and a bauble or three.

Delicate twig candy cane for a naturally styled Christmas

But swap the classic red, green and gold baubles for darker moodier hues. This is going to be a huge interior trend in the new year and Dark and Moody is getting a head start in our Christmas designs.

Shape a twig and add tinsel for natural Christmas decorations

Forest or hunter green, burnt orange, burgundy and the trendiest of all… coal black and dark chocolate brown. And embrace the dark and moody trend with natural elements like dried branches and pinecones… or twig candy canes to add warmth and texture.

Tinsel trend for Christmas 2023

Dark and Moody Nature. But let’s make it all sparkly… it’s Christmas time!

Happy Christmas designing, flower buddies!

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

6 December 2023 Twig and Tinsel Candy Canes

Easy... but it takes a bit of resting time. Perfect for having your hot chocolate while waiting...

14 December 2016 Bark and Cotton Candy Cane

Cover a cardboard shape in cotton and bark to create a floral armature

14 December 2012 Dress up candy cane favors with boxwood, ribbon and beads

A quick and easy way to decorate a few candy canes for Christmas flower club favors

30 November 2022 The coziest Wool, Holly and Kalanchoe Table Top Candy Cane Snowflake

A fuzzy wool and twig snowflake that starts out as a handful of candy canes.

8 July 2015 Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

19 February 2013 Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening

Most stems, twigs and even sturdier branches can be bend into shapes. It takes practice and more than a bit of patience. The main idea is to slowly manipulate the branch without...

21 December 2016 Bark Christmas Stocking

Cover a wire frame to create a Christmas stocking armature

6 December 2017 Barely there twig tabletop Christmas tree

Glue curved twig snippets to craft a delicate winter white Christmas tree

19 December 2018 Sparkling Eucalyptus Tabletop Christmas tree

Craft an ethereal Christmas tree from Eucalyptus leaves, twigs and sparkling snow flake crystals.

29 November 2023 Bind Autumn design details and Christmas evergreens around an upturned vase to keep the stem ends hydrated... from Fall to Christmas!

A wrap-around-vase to show off new bits of Christmas and the last bits of our autumn treasures.

13 December 2017 Long lasting bark and Kalanchoe sleigh

Kalanchoe flowers last weeks without a water source and is the perfect way to dress up a bark and silver bell sleigh

24 December 2012 Tiny Twig Christmas Treasure Trunk

Wire a small twig gift-box for Christmas presents

Related Designs

13 December 2023 A Very Merry Naked Tree and Woodland Woodsy and Oversized Flowers Trendy Christmas Cheer

From now to a bit after New Year's Eve I will show you my take on the trends for Christmas 2023. This week I am continuing with a garland bowl and a cone and twig reindeer.

14 December 2016 A Candy(cane) Cotton Christmas

A floral cotton candy cane

14 December 2012 Festive Candy Canes to share

Candy cane favors for the members of the Capilano Flower Arranging Club at the Christmas Workshop

21 December 2016 A Gleaming Cotton Christmas

Glue bark to a wire frame to create a Christmas stocking armature

6 December 2017 While I sing of beauty's treasure

Glue the most delicate twig table top Christmas tree

20 December 2017 A Very Merry Christmas Star

A wire Christmas star with a secret plan to hide the twinkle

29 November 2011 Jack Frost’s Christmas stocking

I used wire, fishing line (mono-filament) and Phalaenopsis orchid roots to make a messy lace Christmas stocking and dressed the stocking with frost green Cymbidium orchids

19 December 2018 Oh Florist-tree

Craft an Eucalyptus Christmas tree

25 December 2013 A gift for gifting

Christmas gift design

12 December 2012 It's a swell time…

An exceptional moment frozen in time… 12:12:12 12/12/12

18 December 2019 A Happy, Merry, Jolly (easy as that!) Eucalyptus Christmas wreath

Now this is quite a discovery! And it honestly is the easiest and quickest way to go from "I still want to decorate for Christmas" to "... aaand I am done, I made our wreath"

29 November 2023 Fall into Christmas

Want to make your Christmas greenery last... this is perfect!

13 December 2017 Just hear those sleigh bells jingling

Craft a bark sleigh that will last for weeks.

24 December 2012 Please have snow… and presents under the tree

Wire a Tiny Twig Treasure Trunk for small Christmas gifts

23 December 2015 Dear Santa,

Gift boxes from skeleton leaves

25 December 2019 Wishing you a Light Touched Christmas

A naturally fragrant, star shaped gift box basket. Merry Christmas to you.